Santa Clara, UT Estate Planning Lawyers

If you don’t have an estate plan yet, you’re not alone – data shows that only around 30% of Americans do. However, taking the time to plan for the future is something that everyone, regardless of how old or healthy, needs to prioritize! None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. People who pass away or become incapacitated without an estate plan in place leave their families to sort through their affairs and endure legal and financial stress that could have been easily avoided. 

Most people avoid estate planning because they are intimidated by the process, which makes sense – we understand that it can be confusing to know where to start, what you need, or how to legally make sure that your hard-earned money is protected and will go to the right people if something happens to you. That’s where our Santa Clara estate planning lawyers come in. At ProvenLaw, we make estate planning easy! You can trust us to give you and your loved ones reliable legal guidance and peace of mind. Call today to schedule a free 30-minute consultation. 

What Documents Does An Estate Plan Include?

An estate plan is actually made up of multiple legal documents that serve to collectively ensure that your wishes are carried out, regardless of what the future holds. When they think of estate planning, many people think that all they need to have is a will, but a will alone has limitations that you may not realize. There are several other tools that can offer you, your assets, and your family all the protection you need. The strongest estate plans are made up of:

• A trust – a financial entity that owns assets outside of your name
• An advanced directive – (a living will) lays out your wishes for healthcare in the event you’re unable to express yourself
• A power of attorney – gives someone you trust the ability to make financial, legal, and medical decisions for you if you are incapacitated 
• A will – spells out clearly what assets should go to which beneficiaries when you pass
• Beneficiary designations – on accounts such as bank and retirement accounts; these identify who should inherit the account’s contents when you pass
• Titles, deeds, policy information, information about digital passwords, etc. – important to consolidate so this is easy for your family to find and use, particularly when real estate is invovled
• Funeral plans – spelling out clearly what you want your funeral/burial to look like can make the time right after you pass much easier on your family members

Our Santa Clara estate planning lawyers know that no two lives are the same, so no two estate plans should be either. We will listen to you and ask questions in order to determine what specific documents are best for your unique situation, and then we will tailor them to your personal needs and goals!

What Does A Comprehensive Estate Plan Do For Your Family?

Besides being intimidated by the process or believing that they’ll have more time later on in life, the other big reason that people put off estate planning is that they don’t think that they truly need one. While the benefits of estate planning are many, the negative consequences of not having an estate plan are even more compelling. Essentially, not having an estate plan means that you have no control – and your family has no control – over what happens to all of your wealth and possessions. The state of Utah’s laws will be the deciding factor, and these laws don’t take into account your family dynamics and history or your hopes and dreams for their future. 

Getting an attorney-drafted estate plan in place…

Reduces confusion & minimizes the possibility of conflict. 

Without an estate plan, your family may have no idea what you wanted to happen to you, to your house, or to your money. Even if you’ve mentioned your wishes in passing, or you feel like you’ve discussed them with one family member (such as your spouse), they may not remember them exactly, and other family members may disagree with their recollections. The worst-case scenario would be your family fighting in court over who gets what because your wishes aren’t in legally enforceable writing. Our skilled Santa Clara estate planning lawyers can create an estate plan that provides clarity for everyone so that never happens to those you love!

Keeps probate from having to occur & offers closure more quickly

Perhaps the biggest benefit of having an estate plan is that it prevents probate. Probate is a time-consuming, expensive, often frustrating Utah court process that would otherwise have to be completed before your assets could be officially transferred to your heirs. With an estate plan, your family can skip this process and inherit your possessions quickly and painlessly. You have the ability to take care of them, even if you are no longer around, by making a way for them to grieve in peace and move forward with their lives faster. 

Why Work With Our Santa Clara Estate Planning Lawyers?

At ProvenLaw, our team has a dedicated focus on estate, trust, and tax matters, making us the ideal choice to prepare your estate plan. We are intimately familiar with Utah’s estate planning laws and can explain all of your options! Our 95+ years of combined experience can reassure you that your legacy is in great hands. Call today to book your free 30-minute consultation and get started!