In this episode of TFE Talks, Jordan Goewey and attorney Maisie Greene break down the practical side of trust funding and why simply signing a trust document is not enough. They explain how assets actually pass at death, why avoiding probate matters, and how to properly title or designate beneficiaries on checking and brokerage accounts, real estate, vehicles, personal property, business interests, life insurance, and retirement accounts. The conversation highlights common mistakes such as neglecting to fund the trust or misaligning beneficiary designations with the trust’s terms, and emphasizes the importance of yearly asset reviews and coordination among your attorney, financial advisor, accountant, and insurance professionals so that your estate plan works as intended. Topics in this conversation include: Welcome to Today’s Episode with Maisie on Trust Funding (0:33) What Trust Funding Is and Why It Matters (2:44) Pros and Cons of Beneficiary Designations vs. Trust Titling (4:48) How to Handle Checking Accounts and Brokerage Accounts (7:46) Real Property, Joint Ownership, and State-Specific Rules (10:07) Vehicles, Personal Property, and New South Carolina TOD Rules (12:40) Titling Business Interests (15:17) Life Insurance, Retirement Accounts, and Naming the Trust as Beneficiary (17:18) Common Trust Funding Mistakes and Misaligned Beneficiaries (18:13) Tax Treatment of Revocable Trusts (19:35) Annual Asset Reviews, Professional Teamwork, and Episode Wrap-Up (21:01) TFE Talks: Navigating Wealth, Business, and Legacy is the official podcast from Thomas, Fisher & Edwards, a premier estate planning and business advising law firm in Greenville, South Carolina. Each episode, our attorneys break down complex legal topics—covering estate planning, business strategy, and legacy building—into clear, actionable insights. Whether you're refining a plan with our team or preparing for the future, this podcast serves as your go-to resource for thoughtful, strategic planning. Tune in for guidance that helps you protect what matters most. Learn more at www.tfelawfirm.com. The information provided in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Listening to this podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship with Thomas, Fisher & Edwards or any of its attorneys. Laws and regulations vary, and legal matters are highly fact-specific. For personalized legal guidance, please consult with a qualified attorney. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
