Estate Planning

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One of the basic conceptual problems people have with estate planning is not understanding what it does. Usually estate planning is seen only as drafting a will to say who you want to be the Personal Representative (what used to be called an executor). But estate planning is much more than this. The following statement, taught at a seminar I once attended, more comprehensively and accurately describes the purposes of estate planning from the viewpoint of the client:

I want to control my property while I am alive and well;

Plan for me and my loved ones if I become disabled;

And after I die, I want to give what I have to:

Whom I want
When I want
The way I want

All at the lowest possible cost to me and those I love.

This is a comprehensive definition of estate planning that we try to live up to for our clients.  Estate planning encompasses control, disability, distribution, probate, and tax planning. All of these aspects are of critical importance. These goals are accomplished through the use of the appropriate combination of Wills, Trusts, Powers of attorney, and Medical Directives, carefully tailored to the wishes and needs of the client.

Wills

A Will is simply a written directive to the probate court as to how property is to be distributed at death, who should be the personal representative (previously called an executor) to manage the estate, and who should be the …
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Trusts

A trust is an entity (like a corporation) established to hold and manage property. It has its own separate existence apart from the grantor or creator of the trust. Trusts can be established during one’s lifetime (a “living” trust) or …
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Probate

CALL 801-290-5882 NOW FOR YOUR FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION! Probate, simply put, is the process set up by the legislature and carried out by the court which provides for the transfer and management of the property of a deceased, incapacitated, or …
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Estate and Gift Taxes

The federal government and many states have established taxes which apply to the gifting of property during lifetime and at death. Utah currently has no estate tax, therefore the discussion here will focus on the federal estate and gift tax.  …
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Long Term Care

Even though you may not be terminally ill, if you require long term care in a nursing facility, the costs could deplete your estate. In the past it was common practice for parents to transfer their property to their children …
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End of Life Decisions

Medical science can keep a person alive almost indefinitely, even when their quality of life has severely deteriorated through a terminal illness or other accident causing loss of brain function. Most people do not wish to be kept alive unnaturally …
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FAQ

Q: What is Probate? A: Probate, simply put, is the process of appointing a surrogate (a substitute) to act on behalf of another who cannot act for themselves. For example, when a person dies owning real estate, unless there is …
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