When you create a living trust, you create a new legal entity. To secure your assets and ensure they pass directly to your beneficiaries without the expense and delay of probate, you must formally fund the trust. This means opening accounts titled in the trust's name.

The best solution involves two parts: a strong legal foundation and an excellent investment platform.

Before opening the brokerage account, you need the legal entity itself. For most individuals, creating a Revocable Living Trust is the foundational step, and LegalZoom provides a trusted, affordable path to generating the required documents.

Why Start with LegalZoom?

LegalZoom makes the process of creating a valid trust easy and accessible, offering a clear path to getting the essential paperwork without requiring immediate, expensive attorney visits.

  • Affordable Trust Documents: LegalZoom offers comprehensive Living Trust packages that include the Trust Agreement, Schedule of Assets, Pour-Over Will, and necessary Powers of Attorney. Trust plans start affordably, making estate planning accessible.
  • Attorney Support: LegalZoom's Premium packages often include access to attorney consultations to help you review your plan and answer questions about its legal validity in your state.
  • Ease and Speed: You can complete the initial drafting of your legally binding trust document online, quickly satisfying the prerequisite for opening a trust brokerage account.

The most vital document you'll need from your trust package (whether created by LegalZoom or an attorney) is the Certificate of Trust or relevant pages of the Trust Agreement. This document certifies the trust's existence and identifies the Grantor(s) and Trustee(s)—information the broker requires.

The Investment Platform

Once your trust document is legally established, you need a brokerage platform equipped to handle trust accounts seamlessly, reliably, and cost-effectively. Fidelity Investments is an industry leader that excels in this area.

Why Choose Fidelity for Trust Assets?

Fidelity consistently ranks as one of the best overall brokerage firms, offering the depth of resources and commission structure that makes it ideal for managing long-term trust assets.

  • Trust Account Expertise: Fidelity has streamlined the process for opening a trust account, allowing you to often complete the application online or download a simplified Trust Account Application form. They know exactly which pages of your trust agreement they need.
  • $0 Trading Costs: Trust assets can be invested efficiently with $0 commissions on US stocks, ETFs, and thousands of mutual funds, maximizing the trust’s value over time.
  • Full Investment Spectrum: The platform provides access to every asset class, from individual stocks and ETFs to fixed income (like Treasury Bills) and advisory services, ensuring the Trustee can follow any mandate outlined in the Trust Agreement.
  • Customer Support: Fidelity's customer support is highly rated, which is invaluable when dealing with the complexities of trust documentation or successor trustee transitions.

Step-by-Step: Funding Your Trust at Fidelity

Fidelity makes the transition from legal document to active investment account straightforward:

  1. Gather Documents: Locate your Trust Agreement (or Certification of Trust) and the Trust's Taxpayer ID Number (TIN)—which is the Grantor's SSN for a revocable living trust while the Grantor is alive.
  2. Start the Application: Visit the Fidelity Trust Account page and choose the option to open a new Brokerage Account for a Trust.
  3. Provide Trustee/Grantor Information: You will supply the personal details (SSN, DOB, address) for all trustees and grantors.
  4. Certify the Trust: Fidelity may allow you to certify the trust by signing the application form, avoiding the need to submit the entire Trust Agreement document.
  5. Fund the Account: Once approved, transfer assets (cash, stocks, ETFs) from your personal account into the new account titled: "[Full Legal Name of Trust] TTEE [Names of all current Trustees]"

To avoid delays when opening your account, ensure your trust document (created via LegalZoom or an attorney) provides the following details:

  • Full Legal Name of the Trust and the Date it was created.
  • The Trust's Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).
  • The Names and Signatures of all currently acting Trustees.
  • The State whose laws govern the trust.
Disclaimer: All content on this website is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. You should always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.