An estate plan can and should be designed with all of your goals in mind. Sandberg, Stettler, & White will answer all of your questions about different estate planning techniques.
Our Utah estate planning attorneys help people of all ages and income levels. You determine how your assets will be distributed, who will receive them, and how they will be managed. We help ensure that your wishes are carried out, your loved ones are provided for, and your assets are protected from unnecessary taxes, fees, and legal challenges. Legal strategies include the creation of trusts, wills, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and living wills. Additionally, we provide guidance with probate, guardianship, estate administration, and trust administration.
Your estate plan is made up of a unique set of legal documents that will provide you and your loved ones peace of mind at every stage of life and after you pass.
The Importance of Estate Planning in Utah
Estate planning includes asset protection planning strategies to preserve your home and investments from having a claim exerted against them due to participation in government benefit programs. It shields them from potential creditors, lawsuits, divorce, bankruptcy, business failure, malpractice, and many other situations. Asset protection allows you to leave the legacy you intended for your family or community.
The estate planning process begins by defining your biggest concerns and long-term goals. Our estate planning attorneys discuss the assets you wish to protect now and in retirement, and those you wish to pass to loved ones. Sandberg, Stettler, & White will guide you through the estate planning process, explain the documents in detail, and help you make informed decisions about the future.
The documents and strategies used in your estate plan will depend on your personal circumstances, goals, asset values, and family dynamic. Your estate plan will be customized to fit those circumstances and goals.
What Documents Are Part of a Utah Estate Plan?
Wills
A last will and testament (will) addresses how your assets will be distributed after your death. You can appoint an executor, or personal representative, to manage the estate, pay debts, and distribute property as directed in your will. Probate court will be required to move your family through the estate administration process. Our attorneys can guide them.
Trusts
The benefit of a trust is that trust assets can pass to beneficiaries without the need for probate. Property is still distributed at death, but it’s done without a court proceeding. A trust can hold your assets and provide you with income during your lifetime. Our attorneys will support your trustee when managing the trust during your lifetime and administering it after your death.
Powers of Attorney
Powers of attorney include a health care power of attorney and a financial power of attorney. These two documents name someone you trust to act as your agent. A financial power of attorney applies to decisions related to financial matters, and a health care power of attorney applies to medical decisions. Your powers of attorney should be durable and include provisions for aging, incapacitation due to accident or illness, and other long-term care issues.
Advance Health Care Directives or Living Wills
An advance health care directive combines a health care power of attorney with a living will to document your wishes for end-of-life care. It can include medical treatments you would or would not like to have if you become incapacitated. A living will removes the stress of making difficult medical decisions by family members during emotional situations and will avoid conflicts.
Your Utah Estate Planning Attorney
Your estate planning attorney will help you safeguard your estate for every stage of life. Children will grow, marry, divorce, and may have their own children. You may sell or purchase real estate. A car accident may lead to you or your spouse needing short or long-term medical care. Asset protection needs can change at each stage of life.
At Sandberg, Stettler, & White, our attorneys maintain lasting relationships with each client as they age. We welcome the opportunity to review client estate plans every few years to ensure that assets are still protected. Sometimes assets must be repositioned based on a client’s health care needs to leverage all available financial resources and public benefits, including Medicaid, VA Aid and Attendance, New Choices Waiver, SSI, SSDI, or long-term care insurance.
Sandberg, Stettler, & White works hard to meet estate planning goals and build strong attorney-client relationships. Our Utah law firm will also update your existing estate plan to prepare for long-term care needs, protect assets, and pass on your legacy to loved ones.
Our estate planning attorneys can help you and your loved ones understand estate planning, Medicaid long-term care planning, crisis Medicaid planning, VA planning, special needs planning, and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). With offices in Kaysville and South Jordan, our Utah law firm welcomes the opportunity to consult with new clients in Davis, Weber, Salt Lake, Utah, and surrounding counties to learn more about how we can help meet your estate planning and asset protection needs.