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Dividing Your Estate Between Your Children
When you are raising your children, you want to be fair and treat them equally. However, when it comes to estate planning, you may want to use a different strategy. Every person is unique and your children have different life circumstances and needs. Therefore, it is important to consider whether each child should be treated…
Are there Different Types of Probate in Utah?
Unlike certain types of clothing, “one size fits all” does not apply in probate. Luckily, Utah law provides for different types of probate actions depending on the estate to be administered. You will need to confer with a probate attorney to determine what type of probate case to file for your particular matter, but below…
Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid
Creating a comprehensive estate plan can be a complex process. It requires forethought, strategic planning and an understanding of tax laws. Below are a few common estate planning mistakes that you want to avoid: Create a Plan Don’t assume your estate is too small to warrant having an estate plan. Although state law provides a…
Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid – Part 2
This blog is a continuation from our last blog topic titled “Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid – Part 2.” The following are three more errors in estate planning that you want to avoid: Failing to Get Help We live in a world where many things can be done with the help of “do it yourself”guides….
Why Estate Planning is Crucial for Unmarried Couples
Couples who are living together but who are not legally married, whether same-sex or opposite-sex, may have unique estate planning needs. Unlike legally married couples, the law does not currently provide you with automatic protection if one of you dies. Thus, having an estate plan in place is important for you. Unmarried couples can use…
When Should I Update my Estate Plan?
Many individuals think that their estate planning is complete as soon as they have created their estate plan. However, it is important to remember that your estate plan should be updated as your life circumstances change. It is commonly stated that you should have your estate plan reviewed every few years (at a minimum), or…
DIY + Estate Planning = Trouble
Creating an estate plan is one of the most important gifts you can give your family. It helps provide them stability and comfort, as well as helping you save money. While you may be tempted to “do it yourself” (DIY), estate planning is not an area where DIY is typically successful. There are many pitfalls…
What Happens if I Die Without a Will?
When a person dies without a Last Will and Testament, it is called dying “intestate.” Because there is no Will to direct how to distribute your estate, Utah law provides the method of distribution. These laws are referred to as the “laws of intestacy.” Utah’s laws of intestacy set forth the priority in which your…
Undue Influence versus Lack of Capacity
There are many legal terms used in the world of estate planning and probate, so it can get quite confusing. Two common reasons the validity of an estate plan may be challenged is that the decedent was the victim of undue influence or lacked the capacity to properly sign the will or trust document. It…
How Much Does a Utah Probate Cost?
One of the most common questions we get from our clients is “how much?” The simple answer is “it depends.” Whether it is creating an estate plan or filing a probate case, no two matters are identical. Let us review your individual circumstances and help you get an idea of what your matter will cost….