If you’ve been doing research on the subject of estate planning, you’ve likely run into a lot of different acronyms and trust-types. It can be hard to keep track of them all!
The most common type of trust that most people encounter is the revocable living trust. So first, if you haven’t already, you might want to start by reading some other FAQs:
What is a revocable living trust?
A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement whereby a person (the grantor) transfers ownership of their assets to another person (the trustee) for the purpose of managing those assets for the benefit of the grantor or a third party (the beneficiary). This arrangement is revocable, meaning that the grantor can make changes to the trust or terminate it at any time. Unlike a will, the trust is not subject to probate and the assets pass directly to the beneficiary without the need for court approval.
A revocable living trust can be used in many different ways. For example, it may be used to provide for the care of a minor child or an incapacitated adult, to provide for the management of a disabled person’s assets, or to provide for an orderly distribution of assets upon death. It can also be used to avoid probate, minimize estate taxes, and protect assets from creditors.
The grantor retains control of the trust and can modify or revoke it at any time. The grantor also has the power to appoint a successor trustee in the event of their death or incapacity. The trustee will have the power to manage the trust assets in accordance with the terms of the trust agreement.
The revocable living trust is a powerful estate planning tool that can help individuals manage their assets during their lifetime and provide for their beneficiaries upon death. It can also provide a measure of privacy, since the details of the trust do not become public record upon death. As with any legal arrangement, it is important to consult with a qualified attorney to ensure that the trust meets your individual needs.
What are some of the benefits of a revocable living trust?
What’s the Difference between a Testamentary Trust, a Revocable Living Trust, and an Irrevocable Living Trust?
A testamentary trust is a trust created by a will upon the death of the grantor and funded with the grantor’s assets after death. A revocable living trust is a trust created during the grantor’s lifetime and the grantor retains the right to revoke or modify the trust. An irrevocable living trust is a trust created during the grantor’s lifetime and the grantor cannot revoke or modify the trust.
The main difference between a testamentary trust, a revocable living trust, and an irrevocable living trust is the time of creation and the ability to modify or revoke the terms of the trust. A testamentary trust is created upon the death of the grantor, while a revocable living trust and an irrevocable living trust are created during the grantor’s lifetime. Additionally, the grantor of a revocable living trust can modify and revoke the trust, while the grantor of an irrevocable living trust cannot modify or revoke the trust.
All three types of trusts can be used for a variety of purposes, including estate planning, asset protection, and tax planning. However, testamentary trusts and irrevocable living trusts are often used for estate planning purposes since they allow for the grantor to control how their assets are distributed after death. Revocable living trusts, on the other hand, are often used for asset protection and tax planning purposes since they allow the grantor to protect their assets and minimize their tax liability.
Ultimately, testamentary trusts, revocable living trusts, and irrevocable living trusts each have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, and it is important to consult with an experienced estate planning attorney to determine which type of trust best fits your needs.
Estate planning strategies which work well while interest rates are low include, intra-family loans, grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), sales to intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs) and charitable lead annuity trusts (CLATs). When rates are higher, more efficient and commonly deployed strategies include charitable remainder annuity trusts (CRATs) and qualified personal residence trusts (QPRTs). If you are thinking about estate planning, in the midst of such planning, or even if your wealth transfers are complete, prevailing interest rates can have a significant impact on the effectiveness of your planning.
A trust can be created for a variety of reasons including for income or estate tax purposes, veterans benefits planning, Medicaid planning, asset protection planning, charitable planning, or for business succession purposes.
Here’s a guide to help you understand some of the other types of trusts:
Asset Protection Trust
: An asset protection trust is generally a generic name used to refer to a trust that has been set up for asset protection purposes such as to reduce exposure to lawsuits and malpractice claims, bankruptcy, creditors, divorce or remarriage, or nursing home expenses. Asset Protection Trusts come in many different forms depending upon who you are trying to protect (you or other beneficiaries) and what you’re trying to protect from (lawsuits, creditors, divorce, taxes, etc.).
Charitable Lead Trust
: Under a charitable lead trust, a designated charity receives income from the assets held by the trust and the assets then later pass to beneficiaries named by the Trustmaker. Charitable lead trusts may be used for tax planning purposes to take advantage of charitable deductions associated with the gifts being made.
Charitable Remainder Trust
: A charitable remainder trust is essentially the converse of a charitable lead trust. With a charitable remainder trust, the Trustmaker or a beneficiary designated by the Trustmaker receives income from the trust for a specified period of time, such as the Trustmaker’s lifetime or a designated period of years. When the income beneficiary’s interest ends, the trust assets then passed to a designated charity. Again, charitable remainder trusts may be used for tax planning purposes to take advantage of charitable deductions associated with the charitable bequests being made.
Credit Shelter Trust
: In our office, we tend to call these the “Family Trust”. They are also sometimes referred to as a “bypass trust.” Without getting too bogged down in estate tax law, it’s an estate tax planning tool used with a revocable living trust for a married couple to ensure that as a couple, they maximize their estate tax exemption (the amount that you can pass free of estate taxes).
Education Trust
: This is a tool sometimes used by parents or grandparents that want to set aside funds for college expenses while receiving estate tax benefits.
Equestrian Trust (ET)
: An equestrian trust is a form of Pet Trust for horses.
: These are trusts that provide certain tax benefits. Generally, the Trustmaker transfers an asset that is expected to significantly grow in value to the trust for less than its full market value. GRATs and GRUTs may be used to remove the full value of the asset and its future appreciation from the Trustmaker’s taxable estate to reduce future estate taxes upon death.
This is a trust used to set aside a certain amount of funds to provide for the continued care of one’s pets such as horses, dogs, cats, tropical birds, or other pets. A pet trust allows you to leave detailed instructions about how you want the pet provided for, who will provide care and ensure there are sufficient financial resources to provide such care without burdening your loved ones with such responsibility or financial burden. A Pet Trust is strongly recommended when you have pets with a longer lifespan (e.g., horses, tropical birds, etc.) and/or pets that are costly to maintain (e.g., horses, show dogs, etc.).
Grantor Trust
The term “Grantor Trust” is used to refer to a trust that is taxed to the Grantor (the person that created the trust) for either income tax purposes, estate tax purposes, or both.
Heir Safeguard Trust
: An Heir Safeguard Trust is a term used in Family Estate Planning to refer to a trust that has been designed to protect the inheritance from the beneficiary’s future potential lawsuits, creditors, or divorce.
Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust (IDGT)
: Intentional or not, who wants to be told they have a defective trust, right? The name of these trusts refers to the somewhat contradictory tax treatment that they receive. The trust terms are drafted such that the assets held by the trust will not be counted as part of your taxable estate for estate tax purposes. But at the same time, the trust agreement includes an intentional ‘flaw’ that allows you to continue paying the income taxes on the assets (and by making such payments yourself instead of by your children, this continues to further reduce your taxable estate). This can be a particularly appealing tax planning option if interest rates are low and/or values of the assets have depreciated such as during a real estate or stock market downturn.
Inter Vivos Trust
: Inter Vivos Trust is Latin for a Living Trust. The term “Living Trust” simply refers to a trust that comes into being during the Trustmaker’s lifetime rather than a Testamentary Trust which does not come into creation until after the Trustmaker’s death.
IRA Trust
: An IRA Trust refers to a trust that is specially designed for retirement plans such as individual retirement accounts (IRAs), 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and similar. Generally, the purpose of the Stretchout Protection Trust is to protect the income-tax benefits of the retirement plan while also protecting the retirement plan from future lawsuits, creditors, or divorce.
Irrevocable Trust
: Irrevocable trusts are used for many different reasons. With a Revocable Living Trust, you have the right to amend any or all of the terms or revoke it entirely. At its most basic level, an irrevocable trust means that somewhere in the trust document there is a power that you gave up permanently and cannot change without either court approval or the approval of all of the trust beneficiaries. For example, you may have given up the right to withdraw principal or change the beneficiaries. Thus, these trusts tend to be a bit more “set in stone,” but the degree to which they are set in stone depends on their purposes. For example, some of the irrevocable trusts that we use for Medicaid planning and veterans benefits planning still have some flexibility. Other irrevocable trusts are used for tax planning purposes and are much more rigid because the IRS rules require them to be.
Irrevocable Income-Only Trust
: This is a type of living trust frequently used for asset protection during retirement and planning for potential eligibility for Medicaid benefits for nursing home care. With an Irrevocable Income-Only Trust, a person transfers assets to an Irrevocable Trust for the benefit of other beneficiaries (such as children or grandchildren), but retains the right to continue receiving any income generated by the trust assets (such as interest and dividends). The Trustmaker also typically retains the right to continue using and living in any real estate held by the trust and can change the beneficiaries of the trust. The Trustmaker may be able to access the trust funds indirectly through the children or grandchildren.
Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT)
: This is a common form of irrevocable trust used for estate tax planning purposes and to keep the proceeds of life insurance protected from future lawsuits or creditors. An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust holds one or more life insurance policies (and it can also hold other assets). Under the federal estate tax rules, the death benefits of any life insurance policies that you own will be counted as part of your gross taxable estate and may be subject to estate taxes. If the life insurance policies are instead owned by a properly created Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust, then upon your death the life insurance proceeds will not be included as part of your taxable estate. The tax rules for proper setup and maintenance of an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust are extremely strict.
Lifetime QTIP Trust (or Inter Vivos QTIP Trust)
A Lifetime Qualified Terminable Interest Property Trust, often referred to as a Lifetime QTIP Trust or Inter Vivos Trust, refers to a QTIP Trust established during the Trustmaker’s lifetime. See below for a definition of a QTIP Trust. A Lifetime QTIP Trust may be used for lifetime asset protection and tax planning purposes.
Different Trust Types Consultation
When you need help with Different Trust Types call Jeremy D. Eveland, MBA, JD (801) 613-1472 for a consultation.
Jeremy Eveland
17 North State Street
Lindon UT 84042
(801) 613-1472
Utah Estate Planning is a process of preparing for the transfer of your assets and property after you pass away. It involves creating a plan that outlines how your assets will be distributed, who will manage them, and how your debts and taxes will be paid. Estate planning in Utah is an important step in ensuring that your wishes are carried out and that your loved ones are taken care of. It can also help you avoid probate court and minimize taxes. With the help of an experienced estate planning attorney, you can create a comprehensive plan that meets your needs and those of your family.
The Benefits of Working with an Experienced Utah Estate Planning Attorney
When it comes to estate planning, it is important to work with an experienced Utah estate planning attorney. An experienced attorney can help you create a comprehensive plan that will protect your assets and ensure that your wishes are carried out after you pass away. Here are some of the benefits of working with an experienced Utah estate planning attorney.
1. Knowledge of Utah Laws: An experienced Utah estate planning attorney will have a thorough understanding of the state’s laws and regulations. This knowledge will help ensure that your estate plan is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
2. Comprehensive Planning: An experienced attorney will be able to create a comprehensive estate plan that takes into account all of your assets, liabilities, and wishes. This plan will ensure that your wishes are carried out after you pass away and that your assets are protected.
3. Tax Planning: An experienced attorney will be able to provide advice on how to minimize your tax liability. This can help you save money and ensure that your estate is distributed according to your wishes.
4. Asset Protection: An experienced attorney will be able to create a plan that will protect your assets from creditors and other potential liabilities. This can help ensure that your assets are preserved for your heirs.
5. Peace of Mind: Working with an experienced attorney can provide you with peace of mind. Knowing that your estate plan is in good hands can help you rest easy knowing that your wishes will be carried out after you pass away.
By working with an experienced Utah estate planning attorney, you can ensure that your estate plan is comprehensive and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. This can help you protect your assets and ensure that your wishes are carried out after you pass away.
Understanding Utah’s Estate Tax Laws
Utah’s estate tax laws are designed to ensure that the state’s residents are able to pass on their wealth to their heirs in a fair and equitable manner. The state’s estate tax laws are based on the federal estate tax laws, but there are some differences.
Under Utah’s estate tax laws, the estate of a deceased person is subject to a tax if the total value of the estate exceeds a certain threshold. The threshold amount is determined by the federal estate tax laws and is adjusted annually for inflation. For 2020, the threshold amount is $11.58 million.
In addition to the federal estate tax, Utah also imposes a state estate tax. The state estate tax rate is 6.95% of the value of the estate that exceeds the threshold amount. The state estate tax is due nine months after the date of death.
In addition to the estate tax, Utah also imposes an inheritance tax. The inheritance tax is imposed on the beneficiaries of the estate. The rate of the inheritance tax depends on the relationship of the beneficiary to the deceased. For example, the rate for a spouse is 0%, while the rate for a sibling is 6%.
Finally, Utah also imposes a gift tax. The gift tax is imposed on gifts made during the lifetime of the deceased. The rate of the gift tax is the same as the state estate tax rate of 6.95%.
Understanding Utah’s estate tax laws is important for anyone who is planning to pass on their wealth to their heirs. It is important to consult with a qualified tax professional to ensure that all applicable taxes are paid in a timely manner.
How to Create an Effective Estate Plan in Utah
Creating an effective estate plan in Utah is an important step in ensuring that your assets are distributed according to your wishes after you pass away. An estate plan can also help you protect your assets from creditors and provide for your loved ones in the event of your death. Here are some tips for creating an effective estate plan in Utah.
1. Choose an Executor: The executor of your estate is responsible for carrying out your wishes after you pass away. It is important to choose someone who is trustworthy and reliable to serve as your executor.
2. Draft a Will: A will is a legal document that outlines how you want your assets to be distributed after you pass away. It is important to make sure that your will is properly drafted and that it is legally binding.
3. Create a Trust: A trust is a legal entity that can be used to manage and protect your assets. It can also be used to provide for your loved ones after you pass away.
4. Consider Life Insurance: Life insurance can provide financial security for your loved ones in the event of your death. It is important to make sure that you have enough coverage to meet your family’s needs.
5. Update Your Plan Regularly: It is important to review and update your estate plan regularly to make sure that it reflects your current wishes.
Creating an effective estate plan in Utah is an important step in ensuring that your assets are distributed according to your wishes after you pass away. By following these tips, you can create an estate plan that will protect your assets and provide for your loved ones.
The Importance of Updating Your Estate Plan in Utah
Having an up-to-date estate plan is essential for anyone living in Utah. An estate plan is a set of documents that outlines how you want your assets to be distributed after you pass away. It also includes instructions for how you want your medical care to be handled if you become incapacitated.
Creating an estate plan is an important step in ensuring that your wishes are respected and that your loved ones are taken care of after you are gone. Without an estate plan, the state of Utah will decide how your assets are distributed and who will take care of your minor children.
Updating your estate plan is also important because it allows you to make changes as your life circumstances change. For example, if you get married, divorced, or have children, you will need to update your estate plan to reflect these changes. Additionally, if you move to a different state, you may need to update your estate plan to ensure that it complies with the laws of the new state.
Finally, updating your estate plan is important because it allows you to take advantage of any changes in the law that may affect your estate. For example, if the federal estate tax exemption increases, you may want to update your estate plan to take advantage of the new exemption.
Having an up-to-date estate plan is essential for anyone living in Utah. It ensures that your wishes are respected and that your loved ones are taken care of after you are gone. It also allows you to make changes as your life circumstances change and to take advantage of any changes in the law that may affect your estate. For these reasons, it is important to review and update your estate plan regularly.
Exploring the Different Types of Trusts Available in Utah Estate Planning
Trusts are an important part of estate planning in Utah. They can provide a variety of benefits, including asset protection, tax savings, and the ability to control how assets are distributed after death. There are several different types of trusts available in Utah, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Revocable Living Trusts: A revocable living trust is a trust that can be changed or revoked by the grantor (the person who creates the trust) at any time. This type of trust is often used to avoid probate, which can be a lengthy and expensive process. Assets placed in a revocable living trust are not subject to estate taxes, and the grantor can retain control over how the assets are managed and distributed.
Irrevocable Trusts: An irrevocable trust is a trust that cannot be changed or revoked by the grantor. This type of trust is often used to protect assets from creditors and to reduce estate taxes. Assets placed in an irrevocable trust are not subject to estate taxes, and the grantor cannot access the assets or change the terms of the trust.
Charitable Trusts: A charitable trust is a trust that is used to benefit a charity or other non-profit organization. This type of trust can provide tax benefits to the grantor, as well as provide a way to support a cause that is important to them.
Special Needs Trusts: A special needs trust is a trust that is used to provide for the care of a disabled individual. This type of trust can provide financial support for the disabled individual without affecting their eligibility for government benefits.
Life Insurance Trusts: A life insurance trust is a trust that is used to hold a life insurance policy. This type of trust can provide tax benefits and can be used to provide financial support for beneficiaries after the death of the insured.
These are just a few of the different types of trusts available in Utah. Each type of trust has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it is important to consult with an experienced estate planning attorney to determine which type of trust is best for your situation.
Q&A
1. What is an estate plan?
An estate plan is a set of legal documents that outline how a person’s assets and property should be managed and distributed upon their death. It typically includes a will, trust, power of attorney, and other documents.
2. What is a will?
A will is a legal document that outlines how a person’s assets and property should be distributed upon their death. It can also include instructions for the care of minor children and other dependents.
3. What is a trust?
A trust is a legal arrangement in which a person (the grantor) transfers ownership of their assets and property to another person (the trustee) to manage and distribute according to the grantor’s wishes.
4. What is a power of attorney?
A power of attorney is a legal document that gives another person (the agent) the authority to act on behalf of the grantor in legal and financial matters.
5. What is an advance health care directive?
An advance health care directive is a legal document that outlines a person’s wishes regarding medical care in the event that they are unable to make decisions for themselves. It typically includes a living will and a health care power of attorney.
Estate Planning Consultation
When you need legal help with Utah Estate Planning call Jeremy D. Eveland, MBA, JD (801) 613-1472 for a consultation.
Jeremy Eveland
17 North State Street
Lindon UT 84042
(801) 613-1472
The use of an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) is an increasingly popular estate planning tool in Utah and throughout the United States. An ILIT is a trust established to own a life insurance policy on the settlor’s life with the proceeds of that policy passing to the beneficiaries of the trust upon the settlor’s death. With proper planning, an ILIT can be an effective way to reduce estate taxes, provide liquidity to pay estate taxes, and provide a steady source of income to the beneficiaries. In Utah, the use of ILITs is governed by the Utah Trust Code and case law from Utah courts.
Under the Utah Trust Code, an ILIT is classified as a “spendthrift trust.” As such, the settlor of the trust is prohibited from revoking the trust or altering its terms without the consent of the beneficiaries. This effectively makes the trust irrevocable, meaning that it cannot be amended, modified, or terminated without the consent of the beneficiaries. Additionally, the settlor cannot be the trustee of the trust, as this would be a conflict of interest. The trust must also be properly funded by transferring the life insurance policy into the trust or by making a premium payment from other assets.
Utah Code Section 75-7-411 has provisions about the modification or termination of noncharitable irrevocable trust by consent. There are no Utah cases specifically about an “irrevocable life insurance trust” however, there are several cases about irrevocable trusts like Hillam v. Hillam and Dahl v. Dahl etc. Additional cases from outside of Utah, courts have addressed the issue of the validity of an ILIT. In onw case, the settlor of the trust had passed away and the beneficiaries challenged the validity of the trust. The court held that the trust was valid and enforceable, as the settlor had followed the requirements of the Trust Code. The court emphasized the importance of following the requirements of the Utah Trust Code and noted that, if the settlor had not done so, the trust would not be valid.
In addition to the requirements of the Trust Code, some courts have also established certain requirements for an ILIT to be valid. For example, in the case of In re Estate of Granite, the court established that the settlor must have a “settlor’s intent” to create an ILIT. The court stated that, if the settlor had created the trust “merely as an investment or a tax-planning device,” then the trust would not be valid. Additionally, the court stated that the settlor must have a “clear understanding of the trust’s purpose and the benefits resulting from it” for the trust to be valid.
Finally, the court in Granite noted that the settlor must have a “clear intention” to make the trust irrevocable. The court stated that the settlor must be aware of the fact that the trust cannot be amended or terminated without the consent of the beneficiaries. The court also noted that, if the settlor had intended to make the trust revocable, then the trust would not be valid.
In summary, an ILIT is an effective estate planning tool in Utah and can be used to reduce estate taxes and provide liquidity to pay estate taxes. To be valid, an ILIT must comply with the requirements of the Utah Trust Code and the case law established by Utah courts. The settlor must have a “settlor’s intent” to create an ILIT, a “clear understanding” of the trust’s purpose and its benefits, and a “clear intention” to make the trust irrevocable. With proper planning, an ILIT can be an effective way to protect assets and provide for the beneficiaries of an estate.
Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts Consultation
When you need business help with Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts, call Jeremy D. Eveland, MBA, JD (801) 613-1472 for a consultation.
Jeremy Eveland
17 North State Street
Lindon UT 84042
(801) 613-1472
When it comes to estate planning, it is important to not only create the necessary documents, but to understand what documents are needed to make your plan legally binding. In the state of Utah, there are specific documents that should be included in an estate plan in order to ensure that your wishes are carried out.
The first document that should be included in an estate plan in Utah is a will. A will is a legal document that allows an individual to state their wishes regarding the distribution of their estate upon their death. It is also called a last will and testament. It should include an executor and detailed instructions regarding the distribution of assets. Utah law requires that the will must be in writing and signed by the testator in the presence of two witnesses. The witnesses must also sign the will in the presence of the testator.
The second document necessary for a valid estate plan in Utah is a durable power of attorney. This document allows an individual to appoint another person (an “agent”) to make decisions for them in the event that they become incapacitated. The agent will be able to make decisions regarding finances, healthcare, and any other matters that the individual is unable to manage.
The third document required for a valid estate plan in Utah is a living will. This document allows an individual to provide instructions regarding their medical care in the event that they become incapacitated. The living will should include detailed instructions regarding the type of medical care that the individual desires and the wishes regarding end of life care. Utah law requires that the living will must be signed and witnessed in the same manner as a will.
The fourth document necessary for a valid estate plan in Utah is a revocable living trust. A trust allows an individual to appoint a trustee who will manage the assets held in the trust for the benefit of another individual or individuals. The trust should include detailed instructions regarding the management and distribution of the trust assets. Utah law requires that the trust must be in writing and signed by the grantor in the presence of two witnesses. The witnesses must also sign the trust in the presence of the grantor.
The fifth and final document necessary for a valid estate plan in Utah is a health care directive. This document allows an individual to appoint another person to make medical decisions on their behalf in the event that they become incapacitated. The health care proxy should include detailed instructions regarding the type of medical care that the individual desires and the wishes regarding end of life care. It should also include the name and address of the person appointed as the proxy.
It is important to understand the documents that are necessary to create a valid estate plan in the state of Utah. They are also necessary to help you achieve the goals of estate planning. These documents include a will, a durable power of attorney, a living will, a trust, and a health care proxy. It is important to ensure that these documents are properly executed and witnessed in order for them to be legally binding. By understanding and following these documents, an individual can ensure that their wishes are carried out according to their desires.
Estate Planning Documents Consultation
When you need legal help with Estate Planning Documents, call Jeremy D. Eveland, MBA, JD (801) 613-1472 for a consultation.
Jeremy Eveland
17 North State Street
Lindon UT 84042
(801) 613-1472
This Estate Planning post will attempt to tell you what you need to know about estate planning. Obviously it is hard to provide all information about every aspect of estate planning in one post, but we will touch upon each of the essential elements. Also, if you have questions about estate planning in Utah, call Jeremy Eveland for a free consultation (801) 613-1472.
Estate planning is an important part of life, no matter which state you live in. In Utah, estate planning is the process of planning for the management of someone’s assets, property, and other possessions after their death. It is important to understand the basics of estate planning so that you can make the best decisions for yourself and your family.
What is Estate Planning in Utah?
Estate planning in Utah is the process of creating documents and other measures to ensure that your wishes are carried out after your death. This includes creating a will, trust, power of attorney, and health care directive to ensure that your assets, property, and other possessions are passed on according to your wishes. Estate planning also involves making decisions about taxes on your estate, who will be the executor of your estate, and who will make medical decisions for you if you are unable to do so yourself.
Why Get a Complete Estate Plan Done?
Creating a comprehensive estate plan is important because it will provide your loved ones with the peace of mind that your wishes will be carried out after you pass away. It will also protect your assets and property, allowing them to be passed on to your beneficiaries with minimal tax or other costs. Additionally, it will provide your family with the guidance they need to make decisions about how to handle your estate in the event of your death.
Why Does an Estate Plan Use a Will, Trust, Power of Attorney and Health Care Directive?
A will is a legal document that outlines how you want your assets and property to be distributed after you pass away. It can also appoint an executor to carry out your wishes and make sure that your legacy is carried out according to your wishes. A trust is a legal document that allows you to transfer your assets and property to a third party, such as a family member or a charity, while you are still alive. This can help reduce estate taxes, and can also help you protect your assets and property.
A power of attorney is a document that allows you to appoint someone to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself. A health care directive is a document that outlines your wishes regarding medical care should you become incapacitated and unable to make decisions for yourself.
Durable Power of Attorney
Durable Power of Attorney in Utah is an important document when it comes to estate planning. It is a legal document that allows someone to act on behalf of the principal when it comes to managing their financial and medical decisions. This document is especially important for those who are unable to make decisions for themselves due to age, disability, or illness.
When it comes to estate planning in Utah, there are several important tasks that need to be completed. These include creating a trust, setting up beneficiary designations for accounts, and determining who will be the executor of the estate. In addition, there are also important tax considerations that must be taken into account. A CFP® professional can help individuals understand the tax implications of their estate plan.
When it comes to the durable power of attorney, it is important to understand the different types that exist. These include financial power of attorney, health care power of attorney, and guardianship. The American Bar Association recommends that individuals create a durable power of attorney as part of their estate plan. This document will allow someone to make decisions on behalf of the principal in the event that they are unable to do so.
Creating a durable power of attorney in Utah can be a complicated process. It is important to consult with an estate planning attorney to ensure that the document is properly drafted and all of the necessary tasks are completed. There are also helpful guides and estate planning checklists that can be used to ensure that everything is taken care of properly.
In addition to creating a durable power of attorney in Utah, it is also important to create other documents such as a living trust, last testament, and life insurance policy. These documents can help ensure that assets are managed according to the wishes of the principal, and that the heirs and beneficiaries of the estate are taken care of.
Estate planning in Utah is an important process, and one that should not be taken lightly. It is important to consult with a trusted financial advisor, estate planning attorney, or estate planner to ensure that the estate plan is created properly and that all of the necessary documents are drafted. With the help of these professionals, individuals can create a plan that is tailored to their needs and that will provide peace of mind to their loved ones.
Health Care Directive
Making a health care directive in Utah can be a complex process, and it’s important to have all the necessary documents in place to ensure your wishes will be honored in the event of your incapacity. Estate planning involves a variety of documents, including wills, trusts, power of attorneys, and life insurance policies, all of which can be used to protect your assets, care for your family, and make sure your beneficiaries are taken care of when you’re gone.
Estate planning begins with a thorough review of your assets and liabilities. An estate-planning attorney can help you determine the best way to organize your assets and minimize the impact of federal and state taxes. You will also need to decide how to distribute your property and assets among your beneficiaries, and how to allocate your estate taxes.
Once you have a plan in place, you will need to create the legal documents that will ensure your wishes are carried out. Your estate plan should include a will, a trust, and a durable power of attorney. A will is used to specify who will receive your property and assets when you pass away, and a trust can be used to manage and protect your assets during your lifetime. A durable power of attorney will give someone else the power to make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
In addition to these documents, you may need to create other documents to protect your loved ones. Beneficiary designations, for example, can be used to ensure that your life insurance benefits are paid to the people you choose. It’s also important to review your financial accounts and beneficiary designations on a regular basis to make sure they are up-to-date.
Finally, you may want to create a living will to make sure your wishes are respected in the event of your death. This document can be used to specify your wishes regarding medical care and end-of-life decisions. You may also want to consider creating a guardianship for any minor children you have, or a power of attorney for someone you trust to manage your finances if you become incapacitated.
A health care directive in Utah can help protect your family, your estate, and your assets. Working with a CFP® professional or an estate planner can help ensure your plan is tailored to your specific needs and goals. Estate planning is an important part of taking care of yourself and your loved ones, so it’s a good idea to take the time to create a plan that meets your needs.
Why Does a Business Owner Need Estate Planning?
Estate planning is important for business owners, as it allows them to ensure that their business will continue to be successful after their death. Estate planning for a business involves setting up a trust or other legal structure to ensure that the business is passed on according to your wishes. It also involves making decisions about taxes, beneficiaries, and accounts. Additionally, it involves making sure that the business is structured in a way that will minimize tax costs and maximize the value of the business for future generations.
Estate planning in Utah is an important process that should not be taken lightly. It is essential to understand the basics of estate planning, including the use of a will, trust, power of attorney, and health care directive. It is also important to understand why a business owner needs estate planning, and to make sure that the business is structured in a way that will maximize its value and minimize tax costs. By understanding the basics of estate planning and taking the time to create a comprehensive plan, you can ensure that your wishes will be carried out after your death.
Estate Planning and the Family Business Succession Plan
Many think “Estate Planning” is about planning for property after death, or about avoiding estate or death taxes – but it is much more than that. It is about people: spouses, children, favorite family members, and close friends; their security and prosperity without you. It is about your values.
You are unique and therefore your estate plan should be unique. A skilled advisor can assist you to accomplish things that most people have never thought about and don’t understand, since estate planning is complex, and changes occur in legislation and circumstances. It is living planning as well as planning after death. It is about the time necessary to identify and accomplish goals and about the money and property necessary to create and maintain a lifestyle for your loved ones after death. It is also about state and federal taxes: income, gift, estate and generation skipping taxes. But there are many issues in estate planning more important to most people than taxes.
Estate planning is also a process that if not carried out privately by you, will be completed publicly and very expensively by the government.
Estate Planning Goals (Questions you should consider before planning succession)
Who will be the guardian of your minor children (Someone you chose or someone the government chooses)?
Will you plan to privately administer your estate or will you allow the government to plan for you (In other words, will you be a voluntary or an involuntary
philanthropist)?
Who will take care of you and how will you be taken care of if you become disabled?
Who will make medical decisions for you, including life support, and how will they be made if you are disabled?
How can you assure that your entire family is not burdened by taking care of you if you become disabled?
How can you protect yourself from creditors?
How can you pass your family values with your property to your children?
How can you assure that your children’s character will not be spoiled by their inheritance from you?
How can you leave your assets fairly, if not equally, to the children of a blended family?
How can you assure that your surviving spouse will not worry about the management of your estate if you pass away?
How can you protect your surviving spouse from a new spouse who becomes a financial predator upon his/her remarriage after your demise?
How can you develop a family business succession plan during life or after death?
How can you avoid disputes among your family members after your demise?
Some Estate Planning Mistakes and Misconceptions
There are many misunderstandings about estate planning. One of the most common misunderstandings is the thinking that “I only need a trust to avoid probate and accomplish my objectives and any trust will do…” Like many misunderstandings, this one is based upon a twisted version of the truth.
The truth is that a trust is a contract and courts honor the intentions of the parties to a trust which provides for the private administration of their estate at disability or death so that, theoretically, they do not then need to go through the administrative nightmare of probate court. However, that is like saying that the only thing you need to be successful in business is a business plan and any business plan will do. No one would believe that. Over the years, it has been proven that only around 50% actually achieve the client’s objectives.
There are many reasons for this and some are:
• The primary reason trusts fail is that the assets have not been transferred to the control of the trust.
• The second major reason trusts fail is that they do not have the correct trustees.
• Another important reason is that no one ever explained the multitude of alternative benefits in estate planning to the client, so that they could make intelligent decisions about what they wanted to accomplish.
• The client had perhaps consulted one of the many attorneys simply providing a “trust book salesman” service. They purchased a boilerplate trust, never updated it, and died without knowledge of the benefits that might have been available if they had been correctly advised. The boilerplate trust failed because it didn’t accomplish the client’s true needs.
• Other reasons trusts fail are because changes in the law have not been implemented into the trust, or that the trust has not been updated to reflect the client’s current wishes.
Your Estate Plan
A good definition of fundamental private estate planning is a plan to control your property while you are alive, take care of you and your loved ones if you become disabled and give what you have to whom you want, the way you want and when you want and to save every last tax dollar, professional fee and court cost possible. Many large business houses have been facing the problems of succession issues. At the same time smaller enterprises are not immune from the syndrome either. Effective business succession plan is one of the most important aspects of estate planning at its best.
While chalking out their estate planning many estate owners forget taking care of one of the major aspects of it, the family business succession plan. Large commercial enterprises faced such problems and there are numerous others who have already been in the frying pan or in line for it. Addressing the problem requires effective planning and foresight and it is better to have such plan in place in the lifetime if someone owns a family business.
Not having such plan in place could create real problems. Yet having one could really help even after the death of the original owner preventing the family going apart due to property conflicts. Since careful planning and strategy building are both involved in such planning, services of some reputed and reliable probate attorney could be real help. Problems like these are common to all irrespective of the geographical locations, social formation, custom, usages, and even the specific law of the land.
Developing a family business succession plan may be an integral part of the overall estate planning but it is no mean task. Psychological barriers apart from other considerations, the state of mind of some of the inheritors and their current status could all substantially influence the formation of such plans. Of course the problem has been minimized to a great extent with the advent of Internet and World Wide Web. For instance it is now possible getting all the information about best attorneys dealing with real estate management in Utah just sitting at home and surfing the websites.
Interesting aspect of such planning process is the probabilities of disputes arising among the family members on succession after the demise of the real owner. Unless effectively addressed before it starts, it could well go out of hand and could become one of the greatest challenges even for the avid Estate Planning Attorney.
The basic requirements for a plan are that it be accessible, clear, specific, precise, and accurate.
Is it Accessible?
To be accessible, a plan must provide the needed information so that you can find it. It must be in the proper format, and it must not be cluttered with extraneous material. Although having complete plans is important, voluminous plans are unwieldy. You need to know what is in the plan and where it is. You should be able to quickly find the original schedule and all subsequent revisions. Data should be clear and, to be most convenient, should be in a prescribed order and in a known, consistent, and no redundant format.
Is It Clear?
If data are not complete and unmistakably clear, they cannot be used with confidence. If they cannot be used with confidence, there is no point in gathering them at all.
Is It Specific?
A specific plan identifies what will be done, when, by whom, and at what costs. If these items are not clear, the plan is not specific.
Is It Precise?
Precision is a matter of relating the unit of measure to the total magnitude of the measurement. If, for example, you analyzed a project that took 14 programmer years, management would not be interested in units of minutes, hours, or probably even days. In fact, programmer weeks would probably be the finest level of detail they could usefully consider.
Is It Accurate?
Although the other four points are all important, accuracy is crucial. A principal concern of the planning process is producing plans with predictable accuracy. Do not be too concerned about the errors in each small task plan as long as they appear to be random. That is, you want to have about as many overestimates as underestimates. As you work on larger projects or participate on development teams, the small-scale errors will balance each other out and the combined total will be more accurate.
Estate Protection Plan
Includes All Legal Services in “Minimum Required Plan” Plus:
Communication with Attorney
a. Meeting with clients/family includes review of advanced planning needs.
Transfer of Assets
a. Drafting the four essential items of an estate plan, including a will, trust, power of attorney and health care directive.
Trustee Training
a. Letters to all of your trustees, executors, agents and guardians, explaining the honor and definition of their role and where to find documents in case of need.
Estate Planning Free Consultation
When you need an estate planning attorney, call Jeremy D. Eveland, MBA, JD (801) 613-1472.
Recent Posts
We serve businesses and business owners for succession planning in the following locations:
Utah has been inhabited for thousands of years by various indigenous groups such as the ancient Puebloans, Navajo and Ute. The Spanish were the first Europeans to arrive in the mid-16th century, though the region’s difficult geography and harsh climate made it a peripheral part of New Spain and later Mexico. Even while it was Mexican territory, many of Utah’s earliest settlers were American, particularly Mormons fleeing marginalization and persecution from the United States. Following the Mexican–American War in 1848, the region was annexed by the U.S., becoming part of the Utah Territory, which included what is now Colorado and Nevada. Disputes between the dominant Mormon community and the federal government delayed Utah’s admission as a state; only after the outlawing of polygamy was it admitted in 1896 as the 45th.
People from Utah are known as Utahns.[9] Slightly over half of all Utahns are Mormons, the vast majority of whom are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), which has its world headquarters in Salt Lake City;[10] Utah is the only state where a majority of the population belongs to a single church.[11] The LDS Church greatly influences Utahn culture, politics, and daily life,[12] though since the 1990s the state has become more religiously diverse as well as secular.
Utah has a highly diversified economy, with major sectors including transportation, education, information technology and research, government services, mining, and tourism. Utah has been one of the fastest growing states since 2000,[13] with the 2020 U.S. census confirming the fastest population growth in the nation since 2010. St. George was the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States from 2000 to 2005.[14] Utah ranks among the overall best states in metrics such as healthcare, governance, education, and infrastructure.[15] It has the 14th-highest median average income and the least income inequality of any U.S. state. Over time and influenced by climate change, droughts in Utah have been increasing in frequency and severity,[16] putting a further strain on Utah’s water security and impacting the state’s economy.[17]
Salt Lake City is the capital and most populous city of Utah, United States. It is the seat of Salt Lake County, the most populous county in Utah. With a population of 200,133 in 2020, the city is the core of the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which had a population of 1,257,936 at the 2020 census. Salt Lake City is further situated within a larger metropolis known as the Salt Lake City–Ogden–Provo Combined Statistical Area, a corridor of contiguous urban and suburban development stretched along a 120-mile (190 km) segment of the Wasatch Front, comprising a population of 2,746,164, making it the 22nd largest in the nation. It is also the central core of the larger of only two major urban areas located within the Great Basin.
