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Celia signed a notarized document titled "Ridge Trust." The document stated, "I declare that I hold my brokerage account ending in 4412 and my lake cabin on Pine Road as trustee. During my life, income may be used for me. At my death, the remaining property shall be distributed equally to my nieces, Maya and Tessa. I serve as trustee, and if I cannot serve, North Bank shall serve." Celia kept the original document in her desk. She never retitled the brokerage account or recorded a deed for the cabin.
After Celia died, her brother argued that no trust was created because Celia never transferred property to North Bank and never retitled either asset. Maya and Tessa argued that Celia created a valid self-declared trust. The state follows UTC-style rules and requires a signed writing to create a trust in land.
Was a valid trust created as to the brokerage account and the lake cabin? Discuss the requirements for trust creation and any different treatment of the two assets.