What Does a Utah Estate Planning Attorney Do?

Quick Answer: A Utah estate planning attorney helps individuals and families create legal plans for their property, finances, health care decisions, and the management of their affairs if they become incapacitated or die.

What does a Utah estate planning attorney do? Many people aren’t sure, which is not surprising. “Estate planning” sounds like something extremely wealthy people need. But the truth is, that estate planning includes a variety of legal services that can be useful for most people, particularly families. Read on to learn some of the key things an estate planning lawyer can do for you that you can’t do on your own.

Why Would You Need a Utah Estate Planning Attorney?

There are a lot of things a Utah estate planning lawyer can do for individuals and families. Some of these include:

1. Write a will that you can depend on.

You may have heard that you can write your own will without a lawyer. That’s technically true. But an experienced estate planning professional can customize your will and make sure it accomplishes your goals. When so much is on the line – like passing on your assets to those you love most – it’s worth hiring a professional.

Did You Know: A will may not control assets with beneficiary designations or joint ownership. An estate planning attorney can identify these assets and coordinate them with your overall plan.

2. Help you avoid excessive taxes and probate.

Inheritance taxes can eat up a big part of the assets you give to your heirs. And probate can be a grueling, time-consuming, and expensive process. Fortunately, there are often ways to avoid the worst of these through proper planning.

Before You Decide: Consider the type, location, ownership, and beneficiary designation of each asset before choosing a probate-avoidance strategy.

3. Show you how to use the right legal tools for your unique situation.

Everyone has different needs when it comes to estate planning. The last thing you want to try is a one-size-fits-all approach. The best estate plan is one built to meet your needs based on your circumstances. Your estate planning lawyer will examine your situation and recommend what is best for you.

How It Works: Estate planning can reduce probate through tools like trusts and beneficiary designations, depending on how your assets are owned.

4. Keep your estate plan updated.

It’s very important to update your estate plan periodically, like when laws change or when your circumstances change. An old estate plan is better than none, but it may not do what you want it to do if you haven’t updated it. Your attorney will notify you when it’s time to update your estate plan.

Tip: Review your estate plan after major life events, such as marriage, divorce, a new child, or significant changes in your assets.

5. Solve problems you didn’t know you had.

The law is complicated. Even when you have a decent grasp of it as a layman, you are never as well-versed as a professional. One of the biggest reasons to hire an estate planning attorney is to get their informed opinion on your situation. They can see all the angles and all the potential pitfalls.

Key Consideration: Beneficiary designations, joint ownership, and estate documents should work together to carry out your wishes.

Talk to a Utah Estate Planning Attorney Today

Our firm offers a free initial consultation for all new clients. You can speak to one of our attorneys at no cost to you and get knowledgeable advice about your legal options.

If you would like to know more about what our estate planning firm can do for you, please get in touch. Give us a call at (801) 521-4145 or complete our secure online contact form. We will contact you as soon as possible to answer your questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Utah estate planning attorney do?

A Utah estate planning attorney helps you create and update legal documents and choose estate planning tools based on your assets, family, and goals.

Do I need an estate planning attorney to write a will in Utah?

You can create a will without an attorney, but an estate planning lawyer can help ensure it is properly prepared and reflects your wishes.

How can an estate planning attorney help avoid probate?

An attorney can recommend tools such as trusts and beneficiary designations that may reduce probate exposure for certain assets.

When should I update my estate plan?

You should review your estate plan after major life changes, such as marriage, divorce, having a child, or significant changes to your assets.

What legal documents are commonly used in estate planning?

Common estate planning documents include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations, depending on your circumstances and goals.