Recording an instrument does not make a transaction legal. Stepbystep guide on how to transfer property to a living trust in California preparing deeds, recording with the county and more.Fill out the preliminary change of ownership report to properly transfer your California real estate into your living trust. How Do You File A Preliminary Change Of Ownership Report? File a Preliminary Change of Ownership Report simultaneously with the deed at the county recorder's office where the real property is situated. Here are the six steps to transfer your house to your living trust. They're really simple once you know what to do it's a very simple process. Grant Deed – If you own your home, a grant deed is necessary to transfer your home to your trust. Failure to file will result in the assessment of a penalty. The blank forms are downloaded to your computer and you fill them out there, at your convenience.