Any person may make a general assignment for the benefit of his creditors by deed duly acknowledged. When filed for record in the office of the clerk and recorder of the county where the assignor resides or, if a nonresident, where his principal place of business is in this state, such deed shall vest in the assignee in trust for the use and benefit of such creditors all the property of the assignor, excepting only such as is by law not subject to levy and sale under execution, subject, however, to all valid and subsisting liens.