Start by matching the will to the intended trust
Gather the current will and the trust document it is meant to work with. Compare the names used in each and note any differences, such as a changed trust name, an amendment, or a newer trust document. These differences are reasons to ask for a review—not proof by themselves that a document is ineffective.
The practical choice is whether the existing documents still describe the arrangement you intend, or whether a change in the trust or your plans calls for coordinated updates. A will and a trust have different roles; reviewing one without the other can leave important questions unanswered.
Make an ownership inventory before deciding what needs attention
A pour-over-will review should not stop at the wording of the will. List the property you want considered and record how each item is currently titled. Mark items you believe are held in the trust separately from items whose ownership is uncertain. The inventory helps focus the discussion on what is actually in place rather than what you remember intending to do.
For real estate, gather available deeds and related ownership records. Shelby County’s Register of Deeds directory lists a separate land-record contact at 1075 Mullins Station Road, Suite W165, Memphis, Tennessee 38134. Confirm current contact and location information before visiting. A directory listing or recorded document does not determine ownership, guarantee clear title, or establish which transfer or procedure is appropriate.
Use a document-and-property checklist
Bring a simple comparison sheet to your review. For each asset, note its description, the name or names shown on the ownership record, whether you believe it is held in the trust, and what document supports that entry. Flag unknowns instead of guessing. Include the will, the trust and any amendments you have, along with deeds or other ownership records available to you.
Keep beneficiary designations, trustee responsibilities, and executor responsibilities distinct from property-title questions. If you have named people in different roles, list the role and the document that names each person. A power of attorney is a separate financial decision-making role; its scope and limits depend on the document, and it should not be treated as interchangeable with a trustee or executor role.
Questions to take into a review
Ask whether the will refers to the trust you currently intend to use, whether any trust changes should be reflected in the will, and which items in your inventory need closer ownership review. For property with unclear records, ask what additional documents would help clarify the issue and what steps, if any, are appropriate.
If questions later arise about estate administration in Shelby County, county court-office listings identify separate roles, including a Probate Court Clerk and a Clerk & Master. Those offices are not interchangeable, and a directory contact alone does not establish the correct venue or filing requirement. Confirm current instructions before relying on a contact listing.
Questions to bring to the discussion
Does having a pour-over will tell me whether property is already in my trust?
No. The will’s wording and the property’s current ownership are separate things to check. Compare the will with the intended trust, then review available ownership records and flag anything uncertain for discussion.
Where can I find Shelby County land-record contact information?
The UT CTAS Register of Deeds directory lists a Shelby County contact at 1075 Mullins Station Road, Suite W165, Memphis, Tennessee 38134. Confirm the current address and instructions before visiting; the directory is not a title-search service or a determination of ownership.
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General information, not advice for a particular situation. Sending an inquiry does not create an attorney-client relationship.
