By Atty Lesley Robertson

So, Morticia Addams has decided to sell a home, and it’s titled in the family trust. Naturally, they wanted to avoid the morbid world of probate (and who could blame them?).If you’re helping a client like Morticia, don’t worry. Selling a home held in a trust might sound spooky, but it’s not, if you know what to look out for.

Here’s your quick guide to handling trust-owned properties (cobwebs not included):

1. Bring the Right Documents

The Declaration of Trust is the key document — it names the trustee, defines their powers, and identifies the beneficiaries. For privacy, most closings use aCertificate of Trust, a short-sworn summary that gets recorded instead of the full trust document.

2. Get the Name Right

In Georgia, it’s the trustee who holds title — not the trust itself.
That means your seller should be listed as:
“Morticia Addams, as Trustee of the Addams Family Trust dated 10/31/2025”

Skip the generic “Addams Family Trust” or just “Morticia Addams.”

3. Check for a Trust Bank Account

Trust = separate legal owner. That means funds from the sale must go into a bank account owned by the trust, not a personal one. Confirm this before closing to avoid any grave misunderstandings.

Final Word (from the crypt)

Selling property held in a trust doesn’t have to be terrifying. Reach out to us early — we’re happy to review documents in advance and help keep things smooth, secure, and far from frightening.

Contact us at: attorneys@millertitlelaw.com. We’re happy to answer any questions.