Wills Lawyer in Lehi, UT

Helping You Prepare Critical Estate Planning Documents

If you own any assets and have loved ones you wish to provide for even after your death, you need an estate plan that features a last will and testament. This document streamlines the process of communicating which beneficiaries get the assets you want them to have. If you’re not sure what information this document should include or how to get started writing it, you should reach out to Utah estate planning attorneys who are eager to help.

When you hire Trusted Estate Planning Attorneys, our legal team will meet with you to go over your estate planning goals before helping you create a will and any other legal options that will benefit you and your family. Call our Lehi, UT, law firm today for a free initial consultation with our experienced, caring attorneys.

Why Do You Need a Will?

Having a last will as part of an estate plan is a standard legal recommendation, so your lawyer will likely advise you to write one as you plan for your family’s future. After all, a will can provide numerous benefits for Utah residents and their families, including the following:

• It makes sure your assets are distributed according to your wishes when you pass away, as you have no control over who inherits your property without one
• It gives you the chance to name a guardian for minor children, letting you rest assured they’ll be cared for by someone you trust rather than someone the court appoints
• It can minimize family disputes and legal complications after you pass away since your wishes will be clearly stated in the legal document
• It lets you appoint an executor to administer your will during the probate process
• It makes it easy for you to leave instructions regarding your funeral and burial wishes so your family doesn’t have to worry about guessing these details

If you don’t write a will before you pass away, you won’t get the peace of mind that these benefits can bring you and your family. In fact, the court will be in charge of making many of these decisions based on state law, so the people who get your assets or care for your minor children could be estranged family members rather than people you know and trust. If you want to avoid this outcome and enjoy the benefits of having a will in place, call our Utah law firm for help writing this document.

How Do You Write a Last Will in Utah?

If you and your attorney agree that your estate plan would benefit from a last will, you should learn the legal requirements of this document. The most basic one is that you must be at least 18 to write a will in Utah. You must also be of sound mind and not subject to undue influence from someone else.

The state of Utah doesn’t recognize oral wills, so you must write or type your will and then sign it in front of two witnesses who are at least 18. They must also sign the document. At that point, you should ensure your chosen executor knows where you plan to keep your will so they can access it to initiate the probate process in the event of your death.

If you have questions about what to include in your will or want a lawyer’s help writing this document, contact our Lehi, Utah law office. Our legal team has years of experience providing assistance to Utah residents interested in estate planning strategies, so we’d be happy to help you. Call today to schedule an appointment with a trusted attorney.

What Should You Know About the Utah Probate Process?

Whether or not you have a will in Utah, your estate must go through probate before your beneficiaries can get the assets you want to leave them. Generally, your executor will need to initiate this process with the probate court in order to ensure the will is valid. It’s recommended that they hire a Utah probate lawyer for guidance through the process, as it can be complicated and usually takes several months or even a year to complete.

The probate lawyer can assist with the next step of notifying heirs and creditors of the death to give them a chance to make a claim against the estate if applicable. While waiting for any claims to arise, the executor and their probate lawyer should start the process of identifying assets and getting them appraised to determine their value.

They must also uncover any debts owed by the deceased person’s estate so they can pay them. Additionally, they must file and pay estate tax and any other taxes that might apply. Once all taxes and debts are paid, the assets can be distributed to the beneficiaries in accordance with the will. After this step, the estate is considered settled and probate will be closed.

If you’re worried about the complexity of probate, rest assured that your executor can hire a skilled probate lawyer to walk them through this legal process. Alternatively, you can look for ways to avoid probate as you plan your estate, such as by putting your assets into a trust for a trustee to manage for your beneficiaries. An experienced estate planning attorney can tell you more about trusts and other legal tools that don’t go through probate, so call our Utah law firm today for legal advice.

Why Should You Hire a Wills Lawyer in Lehi, UT?

Most people who go through the process of making an estate plan include a last will and testament in it due to the benefits of this document. However, this is often just the beginning since trusts, insurance policies, beneficiary designations, and other options can all work together to create a comprehensive plan. If you’re interested in any of these legal tools, call Trusted Estate Planning Attorneys for guidance in making your estate plan.

We’ve spent years helping Utah clients arrange several helpful legal strategies into a customized plan that’s right for them and their families. If you want the same quality legal services so you can enjoy peace of mind any time you think about your future, call our Lehi, UT, law office today at 385-993-3523.