If you’re a homeowner in Nevada or Placer County, there’s a good chance you created your trust many years ago—maybe when your kids were still living at home, when your health was different, or when your real estate portfolio looked nothing like it does today. Reviewing your trust is just as important as setting it up.
As a local real estate agent who works with families and seniors throughout Nevada and Placer County, I often see homeowners with trusts that haven’t been touched in decades. The trust might have been set up properly at the time, but life changes. Families evolve. Properties are sold, inherited, or refinanced. And sometimes, the people named in your documents are no longer living—or no longer the people you’d choose today.
This guide will walk you through every step of reviewing your trust with your attorney. Whether you own a home in Roseville, Auburn, Colfax, or Grass Valley, or anywhere in between, it’s important to make sure your trust still reflects your current wishes—especially regarding your home and assets.
Why Reviewing Your Trust Matters—Especially If You Own Property
Your trust is meant to protect your assets, avoid probate, and clearly outline your wishes. But if you haven’t reviewed it in 10, 20, or even 30 years, it may not actually do any of those things anymore.
If you’re unsure who would step in to manage your estate, who has access to your money, or what happens to your Nevada or Placer County home if you pass or become ill—then it’s time for a trust review.
This isn’t just about your family—it’s about your peace of mind. When you know your documents are up to date, you can live your life without worrying about what might happen.
Step 1: Call Your Estate Planning Attorney
Not sure how to start? You don’t need to know all the legal lingo or have your documents in perfect order. Here’s a script you can use:
“Hi, I’d like to schedule an appointment to review my trust. I created it many years ago, and I want to make sure it still reflects my current wishes. I’d also like to review my healthcare directive and powers of attorney.”
What the Office Might Ask You
When you call, be prepared for a few basic questions:
- When was your trust created? (If you don’t remember, that’s okay—just estimate.)
- Has anything major changed? (Feel free to say yes or that you want to review everything.)
- Are you planning to make changes? (You can decide during the meeting.)
What to Ask When You Call
Before you hang up, ask:
- How long is the appointment?
- What should I bring?
- Can a family member attend with me?
Feeling nervous? That’s normal. Life changes—sometimes in ways we didn’t expect. Don’t be embarrassed. Your attorney has seen it all. Their job is to make sure your trust matches your wishes today—not judge the decisions you made years ago.
If You Feel Nervous
It is completely normal to feel unsure about making this call. Many people put it off because they do not know what to say or worry they will sound uninformed.
You might also be calling because something has changed in your family—a relationship has shifted or circumstances are different than they were years ago. You might feel embarrassed or uncomfortable about the changes you need to make.
Please do not. Your attorney is your trusted advisor. I assure you, they have made many changes to trusts and wills over the years, for all kinds of reasons. This is exactly what they are paid to do. They are not there to judge your family or your decisions. They are there to make sure your documents reflect what you want.
Often times these decisions are not always comfortable ones. But they are yours to make, and you have every right to make them.
Just make the call. The hardest part is picking up the phone.
Step 2: Prepare for Your Appointment
Now that your appointment is scheduled, take some time to prepare. This will help you make the most of your meeting.
Start by gathering any information the attorney’s office asked you to bring. If you are meeting with a different attorney than the one who drafted your documents, you will need to bring your original trust, will, healthcare directive, and powers of attorney. If you are meeting with the same attorney, they should have these on file already.
Then, take some time to reflect on what’s changed since your trust was created. If you’ve bought or sold property in Nevada or Placer County, if your family has grown or shifted, or if your financial situation looks different—it’s worth reviewing.
Let’s break it down…
Have Any of Your Assets Changed?
A lot can change over the years, and it is easy to forget what has been added, sold, or updated since your trust was last reviewed. Take a few minutes to think through each of these areas. You do not need to have exact details—just a general idea of what has changed.
Go through the questions below and make a list of anything that applies to you.
Real Estate
☐ Have you bought or sold any property?
☐ Have you inherited any property?
☐ Have you added or removed someone from a title?
Vehicles
☐ Have you purchased a new car, truck, or motorcycle?
☐ Have you bought a boat, RV, motorhome, or trailer?
Financial Accounts
☐ Have you opened any new bank accounts?
☐ Have you closed any accounts?
☐ Have you opened new investment or brokerage accounts?
☐ Have you started a new retirement account (401k, IRA)?
☐ Have you purchased any annuities?
☐ Have you taken out a new life insurance policy or changed an existing one?
Business Interests
☐ Have you started, sold, or invested in a business?
☐ Do you have any partnership or LLC interests?
Valuable Personal Property
☐ Have you acquired jewelry, art, antiques, or collectibles of significant value?
☐ Have you acquired new firearms?
☐ Are there specific items you want to go to specific people?
Relationships
Relationships change over time, and your trust should reflect your life as it is now—not as it was years ago. There is no judgment here. These are your decisions to make.
☐ Has anyone passed away?
☐ Have you or any of your children gotten married or divorced?
☐ Is there someone you are no longer close to?
☐ Is there someone you would like to add to your trust?
☐ Is there someone you would like to remove from your trust?
☐ Has anyone you named as trustee, executor, or agent become someone you would no longer choose?
☐ Has anyone you named moved far away, become ill, or become unable to serve?
Step 3: Questions to Ask at Your Appointment
Bring a checklist of questions so you don’t forget anything. These conversations are important—especially when they involve your home and real estate in Nevada or Placer County. Here are some questions that might apply to your situation:
About Who Is in Charge
☐ Who is in charge of my trust when I die?
☐ Who is in charge of my trust if I can no longer take care of myself?
☐ Who is the backup if that person cannot serve?
☐ Who is in charge of my healthcare decisions?
☐ Who can make financial decisions for me if I am unable to?
☐ Do I have a healthcare directive?
☐ Do I have a power of attorney?
☐ If I had a stroke tomorrow and could no longer make decisions, is everything in place for someone to step in immediately?
☐ Do we have all the documents in place now to address these things, or do we need to draft anything else?
About Who Gets What
☐ Who receives my assets when I pass? Who gets what currently?
☐ Who gets my home?
☐ What happens if one of my beneficiaries passes away before I do?
☐ How do I leave specific items to specific people?
☐ How do I leave something to charity?
About My Home and Assets
☐ Are all of my assets (home and asset accounts) included in my trust?
☐ Is my home titled correctly in my trust?
☐ Do I want my home sold after I die, or do I want someone to be able to live there?
☐ What happens if I need to sell my home or refinance my home to pay for care?
☐ Are my beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance correct and up to date?
About My Healthcare Wishes
☐ What does my healthcare directive currently say?
☐ What happens if I cannot communicate my wishes?
☐ Do I have a POLST form? Do I need one? (A POLST is a medical order signed by your doctor that tells emergency responders what life-sustaining treatments you want or do not want. It is different from a healthcare directive because it is an actual doctor’s order that must be followed.)
About My Finances If I Become Ill
☐ Who can access my accounts and pay my bills if I cannot?
☐ Do I have a financial power of attorney? Is it current and valid?
☐ How quickly can that person act if something happens?
About Future Care
☐ What happens to my trust if I move to assisted living or a nursing home?
About Pets
☐ Who will care for my pets if something happens to me?
☐ Can I leave money for their care?
About My Family Situation
☐ How does my trust handle disputes if my children do not get along?
☐ What happens if someone contests my trust?
☐ What can I do now to prevent conflict later?
Before You Leave the Meeting
It’s important that you understand the next steps before you leave the meeting.
If No Changes Are Needed
☐ Can I get a copy of my current documents to keep at home?
☐ When should I review my trust again?
If Changes Are Being Made
☐ Based on everything we discussed today, what are the next steps?
☐ Do any documents need to be drafted, updated, or signed?
☐ Do any property titles or car titles or deeds need to be updated?
☐ Do any accounts need beneficiary designations changed?
☐ Is there anything I need to do, or will your office handle it?
☐ When will the new documents be ready and how long will it take to make these changes?
☐ What will this cost?
Why This Matters for Homeowners in Nevada and Placer County
Real estate laws and probate processes vary by state and county. If your home is not properly titled in your trust—or if your trust isn’t up to date—your family could face unnecessary delays, court costs, or even probate.
It’s not uncommon for families to be caught off guard by outdated documents. Don’t let that happen to your loved ones.
Final Thoughts: Your Peace of Mind Starts Here
Having an updated trust isn’t just about your heirs—it’s about YOU. Knowing your plan is solid gives you peace of mind. You’ll sleep better at night, knowing that:
- Your home is protected
- Your healthcare wishes are clear
- The right people are in charge
- And your family won’t be left scrambling
These may not be easy decisions, but they’re necessary ones. And taking action today means fewer burdens for your loved ones later.
Have Questions About Real Estate in Nevada or Placer County? If you’re wondering how your home fits into your trust—or if your family is handling a loved one’s estate and needs help with property—I’m here to support you. As a trusted real estate agent serving Nevada and Placer County, I can help you:
- Understand how real estate is handled in a trust
- Sell or transfer a home after a loved one passes
- Connect with estate attorneys and resources
Don’t hesitate to reach out. Your home matters—and I’m here to help you protect it.
Don’t Walk Into Your Attorney’s Office Unprepared
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