Attorneys

Establish a New Land Trust?

The following is a basic explanation of setting up a land trust. Please contact our office if you need assistance.

A trust number should be reserved. This can be done over the phone by calling our Customer Service Unit toll-free at (888) 878-7856. Please be prepared to provide the following information:

1. Property address
2. Type of property
3. Value of property
4. Name and phone number of the attorney of record

Along with a trust number, you will be given a quote of your acceptance and annual fees.

The Trust Agreement must be drafted and executed by all beneficiaries and parties with power of direction. The Trust Agreement and W9, along with a copy of a government issued picture identification for each beneficiary and power of direction holder, should be submitted to Chicago Title Land Trust Company for acceptance.

You must also complete and record a Deed in Trust (Warranty or Quit Claim) at the recorder’s office in the county in which the property is located.

Trust Agreement including W9 and Deed in Trust forms can be downloaded from the Forms section of this website or can be faxed to you by our Customer Service Unit. Please contact them at the number listed above.

Tax bills can be sent directly to the owner or to us. If sent to us there is a nominal tax bill forwarding fee for this service. Tax bills should be addressed as follows:

If you have any questions, please contact our Customer Service Unit toll-free at (888) 878-7856.

Amend an Existing Trust – Contingent Beneficiaries?

1. Download and complete the
   Amendment of Contingent Beneficial Interest TO COMPLETE THIS FORM:
   SAVE the blank form to your computer
   BEFORE entering your information and then
   SAVE AGAIN after completing the form.
   form. Have this form signed by the beneficiary.
2. Send the original signed amendment to any Chicago Title Land Trust Company office for acceptance.

Amend an Existing Trust – Assignment of Beneficial Interest?

1. Download and complete the
   Assignment of Beneficial Interest form and W9. TO COMPLETE THIS FORM:
   SAVE the blank form to your computer
   BEFORE entering your information and then
   SAVE AGAIN after completing the form.
   The current and new beneficiaries sign the assignment and the new beneficiary signs the W9.
2. Download and complete the
   Facsimile Assignment of Beneficial Interest TO COMPLETE THIS FORM:
   SAVE the blank form to your computer
   BEFORE entering your information and then
   SAVE AGAIN after completing the form.
   to indicate whether the transaction is subject to a transfer tax. If the transaction is exempt and the property is located outside of Cook county, you do NOT need to record it.
3. Send the original assignment, facsimile assignment, W9, and copy of state ID to any Chicago Title Land Trust Company office for acceptance.

Close a Trust / Transfer Property Out of a Land Trust?

1. Call us (888) 878-7856 to verify fees and signature requirements.
2. Download and complete the
   Direction to Convey TO COMPLETE THIS FORM:
   SAVE the blank form to your computer
   BEFORE entering your information and then
   SAVE AGAIN after completing the form.
   form. Have this form signed by the beneficiary or holder of power of direction if different than the beneficiary.
3. Send the original signed Direction to Convey form and fee payment to any Chicago Title Land Trust Company office. We will prepare the deed and related documents according to the direction.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Property located in Cook County must have a recorded facsimile assignment when lodging an assignment or collateral assignment with the trust.
• Effective January 21, 2019, prior to recording, all Cook County property conveyance instruments must be accompanied by an electronically completed Cook County Real Estate Transfer Tax Declaration, a/k/a a MyDec which can be completed via the Illinois Department of Revenue’s MyDec Transfer Tax Portal. The requirement to use MyDec is already in effect for all property transfers in the City of Chicago, and is being extended to all property in Cook County, including “exempt” and “non-exempt” transfers. This requirement does not alter any local municipal requirements for transferring property, and must be fulfilled, even if the instrument is accompanied by a Grantor/Grantee Affidavit.
• Property located in the City of Chicago must obtain a water certificate in order to record a facsimile assignment or deed. Be sure to obtain any applicable transfer or exempt stamps from the municipality where the property is located.
• We can help you with recordings, obtaining water certificates, and completing MyDec.
• Your documents can be emailed to us at CTLTC@ctt.com for review before being formally submitted. Please include your contact information.