A California General Deed of Trust is a legal document used to secure a loan and to provide a lender with a lien against real property in California. It provides a lender with the right to foreclose on the property in the event of a borrower default. The Deed of Trust is recorded at the County Recorder’s office and states the loan amount, loan terms, the parties involved, and the property address. There are three types of California General Deed of Trust: Revocable Transfer on Death Deed of Trust, Non-Revocable Transfer on Death Deed of Trust, and the Standard Deed of Trust. The Revocable Transfer on Death Deed of Trust allows the borrower to retain control of the property until their death, at which point, the beneficiary takes possession of the property. The Non-Revocable Transfer on Death Deed of Trust does not allow the borrower to transfer or encumber the property before they pass away. The Standard Deed of Trust is the most common type of Deed of Trust, and it allows the borrower to transfer the property or encumber it during the term of the loan.