Wills and Trusts
Family Trusts and Wills
A family trust or will in Utah, tells your family and loved ones how you would like your property distributed after your death and helps ease the transition for them. Wills can be simple or complex documents, depending on the individual's preference and the nature of his or her estate. Usually, the will describes the estate and identifies the people who will receive property. A will can also contain special instructions for gifts to charities, giving property to a minor child or disabled person, and naming guardians for minor children, among other provisions.
Estate Planning Services
Wills
Simple or complex documents that describe your estate, identify beneficiaries, and provide special instructions for your property distribution.
Family Trusts
Establish Utah trusts to protect your assets, avoid estate taxes, and ensure your wishes are carried out efficiently.
Living Wills
Advance directives that provide instructions about medical treatment if injury or disease affects your ability to make decisions.
Power of Attorney
Financial and healthcare power of attorney documents to ensure your affairs are managed according to your wishes.
Estate Tax Planning
Strategies including re-titling property and making early gifts to beneficiaries to minimize estate tax burden.
Probate Services
Complete probate administration from filing opening documents to final distribution of estate assets.
When to Update Your Will
If you already have a will, be sure to consult your attorney to keep it up-to-date. Many life events may affect your will:
You get married
You have a new baby
You get divorced or your spouse dies
The size or value of your estate changes
Your beneficiaries change
You move to a new state
Even if none of these apply to you, consider contacting your attorneys and reviewing your will at least every five years.
Understanding Probate
Probate is the legal process for making sure that the property of a deceased person (the decedent) is collected and preserved; the decedent's debts and taxes are paid; and the remaining property is distributed to the beneficiaries designated in the decedent's last will or, if the decedent died without a valid will, to the decedent's lawful heirs. The person who does this is called the personal representative, sometimes known as the executor or administrator.
Initially, the necessary probate opening documents are prepared and filed with the probate court, which then appoints the personal representative and, if the decedent had a last Will, determines if the Will is valid.
When the personal representative has finished administering the estate, he or she files probate "closing" documents with the court and distributes the remaining estate assets to the heirs or beneficiaries.
The court then discharges the personal representative from further responsibility.
Protect Your Legacy Today
Don't leave your family's future to chance. Whether you need a simple will or comprehensive estate planning, we're here to help ensure your wishes are carried out.