Utah Estate Planning Attorney

Estate planning is a way of helping to protect what matters most to you. For many people, this means ensuring that their children or grandchildren are provided for, preserving their estate, avoiding unnecessary taxes, or leaving a legacy of charitable giving. Utah attorney We work personally with clients to develop an estate plan tailored to fit each client's individual circumstances and needs. For general estate planning information, visit our terms and definitions pages. But for information specific to your needs and circumstances, contact us today to schedule a personal attorney consultation.

Can I use estate planning forms from the Internet?

There are many free pre-printed and downloadable forms for wills and trusts. But cookie-cutter estate planning cannot replace competent legal advice. Your life and circumstances are unique, and your estate plan should be tailored to fit your situation. A set of documents that work well in one set of circumstances may be completely inappropriate in another. A number of factors and circumstances should be considered in determining how to set up your estate plan. We work work with you individually to create a personalized estate plan designed to meet your needs and goals.

Is a will enough or do I need a trust?

A last will and testament is the most fundamental Utah estate planning tool. Regardless of how complex or simple your estate plan may be, a will plays an important part in that plan. But most people will benefit from the use of additional estate planning tools such as a living trust advance health care directive, and durable power of attorney. These common components of a good estate plan can each play a role in achieving your goals. Rather than using a cookie-cutter estate planning form, the specific terms to be included in these documents can vary greatly depending on your circumstances. In some situations, a special needs trust may also be appropriately incorporated into a comprehensive estate plan.

Is estate planning expensive?

It is sometimes said that you get what you pay for. Trying to do estate planning on the cheap by using free online forms can backfire, making it more likely that your estate will be subject to probate and that your estate planning documents are inadequate to carry out your intentions. But using an attorney to create personalized estate planning documents tailored to your individual needs and circumstances does not have to be prohibitively expensive. Many of our clients have been pleasantly surprised by how affordable our services can be.

What if probate becomes necessary?

A common goal in the estate planning process is to avoid probate. But in some situations, probate is unavoidable even with the best-made estate plans.

Although it is sometimes necessary, probate does nothing to add to the value of your estate. It can be time-consuming and costly. But in many cases where there is no dispute among the various heirs, an attorney can help move the probate process along more quickly and in a more cost-effective manner. In some cases where the decedent's estate is relatively small, probate can also be avoided completely through the use of what is often referred to as a "small estates affidavit."

Finding an Estate Planning Attorney in Utah

With offices in Salt Lake and Davis Counties, we work to provide affordable estate planning services to clients throughout Utah. Contact us today to arrange for an initial consultation to learn how we can help you.