Columnists

Who Will Take Care Of My Remains When I Die?

Issue 34.16

It is a well-established fact that none of us will not get out of this life alive. Many of our clients wonder, “Who will take care of my remains when I die?” Some clients want to be buried in a specific cemetery, some want to be cremated and have creative ideas about the […]

Utah’s New Statutory Durable Power of Attorney

Issue 28.16

Utah just adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act which went into effect May 10, 2016. There are some provisions in the new law that you should know about.

A Durable Power of Attorney allows the principal to authorize another person (your agent) to make financial decisions the principal specifies in the document. […]

Estate Planning: Clarifying Your Wishes

Issue 23.16

Many people have a misconception about estate planning. For example, many will avoid doing their estate planning because they believe their assets “aren’t worth much” and think estate planning would be a waste of time and money. The reality is that estate planning is necessary for everyone — no matter the value of […]

Prenuptial Agreements: Are They Really Necessary?

Issue 18.16

You are getting married — for the second time. While everyone is congratulating you on finding love again, your children are encouraging you to complete a prenuptial agreement. Why are your children so concerned about your new life? Are they overreacting?

Most children who have experienced a parent in a second marriage attest […]

I Am Healthy: Why Do I Need a Power of Attorney?

Issue 8.16

As healthy adults we can usually manage our financial and medical affairs; however, life-changing events can occur which make that impossible. Have you considered who will manage your affairs if you have a stroke, an accident, end up in a coma, develop a debilitating illness or dementia, or even take a trip out […]

Pitfalls Of Estate Planning By Deed

Issue 3.16

“Are there any problems with including my adult child on a deed as a joint tenant holder so the child receives the real estate at my death?” “Are there any problems with providing a deed to a child with instructions not to record the deed until death?” “What if I just deed my […]

My Spouse Always Managed Our Finances. What Do I Do?

Issue 50.15

It is not uncommon for us to meet with a client whose spouse was responsible for paying debts, making investments, arranging for insurance and paying the taxes, but has become incapacitated or passed away. The well spouse is left to deal with the emotions of losing their partner, whether that is due to […]

I Am The Trustee Of A Trust Or Personal Representative Of An Estate – What Are My Responsibilities And Obligations?

Issue 45.15

When someone becomes incapacitated or passes away, you may find yourself in charge of administering a trust, or the decedent’s estate. You may have been nominated as successor trustee through a Trust, the personal representative (executor) through a Will, or the court may have appointed you to administer the estate. Here are a […]

What You Think You Know About Wills And Probate

Issue 40.15

Most of us have a basic understanding of Wills and Probate but sometimes that knowledge is as basic as Wills are good, Probate is bad. While there is some validity to that thought process, here are a few misconceptions:

If I die without a will, the probate process will take years. The probate […]

My Children Are Irresponsible And Cannot Handle Money … What Can I Do To Insure They Will Not Waste Their Inheritance?

Issue 36.15

You worked hard all your life, lived frugally, saved money and invested wisely. As you start the estate planning process, you may have concerns related to your children’s ability to manage money. You may worry that providing your children with a cash distribution will encourage them to stop working hard; the very thing […]