Pick the type of trust you’ll need: Single people will need a single trust. If you’re married, you have a choice between making two separate trusts or forming a joint trust with your spouse. A joint trust is probably the best choice if you and your partner have joint property, such as real estate and bank accounts.
Take inventory of your property: Before creating a living trust, you’ll want to know exactly what you own and what you want to include in your trust. Assets you can transfer to a living trust include real estate, cars, savings accounts, family heirlooms and stocks. You can also opt to name your trust as the beneficiary of your retirement account, such as your 401(k) or IRA. This is also the time to gather all of the paperwork related to your property, including car titles, home deeds and certificates of stock ownership.
Decide who you’ll select as trustee: You can name yourself or pick someone else. If you’re the trustee, you’ll also need to select a successor trustee who will take over management of your trust after your death. A successor trustee must ensure your assets are distributed to your beneficiaries according to your trust’s instructions.
Create the trust document: Once you’ve taken care of the above, you’ll need to physically write up the trust document. You can do this either by using an internet program or with the help of an attorney.
Get the trust document signed: Next you’ll have to sign the trust document in front of a notary public.
Fund the trust: The final step is to transfer property into your trust on your own or with the help of an attorney.