Revocable Living Trust

A trust is your way of saying: “Here’s my stuff. When I die or can’t handle it anymore, here’s what to do with it. And don’t drag my family through court.” It’s a grown-up move. You stay in charge while you're alive, and your chosen backup takes over when you're not.

What It Does

• Lets you control your stuff while you're alive (even if you go loopy);

• Passes your stuff to the people you choose without probate;

• Keeps things private (wills become public, trusts don’t); and

• Names a backup trustee to handle things if you’re dead or disabled.

What It Doesn’t Do

• Doesn’t protect assets from lawsuits or Medicaid—this ain’t a shield;

• Doesn’t work unless you fund it (i.e., move your assets into it);

• Doesn’t cover new stuff unless you add it or have a Pour-Over Will; and

• Doesn’t do squat if you stick it in a drawer and forget about it.

Who Needs to Sign

• You (the “grantor” and probably the first trustee);

• Your signature gets notarized. Period.

• Successor trustees? No signature needed until they take over.

Does It Need to Be Notarized in Michigan?

Yup.

Bottom Line

If you own a house, love your family, and hate court drama, this is the move. But don’t forget to fund it or it’s just a fancy paperweight.