Simple Wills

Morgan & Associates Attorneys at Law
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Utah Simple Wills

Utah Estate Planning & Assistance With Simple Wills 


What is a Utah Will?

A will is a set of instructions to the probate court judge on how to handle a deceased person’s estate. When a person dies in Utah, their estate is typically handled in probate court (to see how to avoid probate court altogether see our page on living trusts).

A petition is filed and the local Utah court issues orders allowing a personal representative to access bank accounts, sell property and pay off creditors. Without a will the court has to decide from among those who are interested in serving, who is to fill the position. This can lead to unnecessary conflict.

Furthermore, without a will the court simply applies Utah’s default inheritance laws with little room to consider anything other than blood relationship to the decedent.  Therefore, a will should at the very least contain the following:

  1. A person named as the personal representative. This person is responsible for handling the estate following the death of the testator (the person making the will).
  2. Instructions on who is to receive the residue of the estate. The residue of the estate is what is left over after creditors and costs of administration have been paid. The people listed here are what most people consider “heirs.”
  3. A designation of guardian for minors.We cannot emphasize enough that young families need wills more than more mature families with no kids at home because a young couple choosing who is to care for their minor children in the event of an unexpected tragedy is far more important than an older person choosing who gets a prized nativity set.
  4. Any specific distributions.Specific distributions are those gifts going to specific people. Those getting specific gifts actually get their distributions before the heirs split the residue.

Finally, a will should be updated regularly in order to reflect changed circumstances.

When is Probate Court Triggered in Utah?

Probate is the process of dividing up an estate and distributing those assets to the correct beneficiaries. If the estate in question meets the definition of a Utah Small Estate, a petition to the court is unnecessary. To be considered a small estate there must be:

  1. Four vehicles or less
  2. Valued less than $100,000
  3. May not include any real estate

If an estate does not meet these requirements, the matter must be adjudicated by a court.

What if Someone Dies Without a Will?

When there is no will the judge applies the default Utah Probate Law to the deceased individual’s estate. Contrary to popular belief, this does not mean the state government is going to take the estate. The default laws generally give a deceased person’s property to their heirs at law. While this seems straightforward, the law can apply very differently across families so it is important to understand exactly how you could be affected. Every Utah resident should have a will in place. While there is a system to designate who gets property when someone dies, having the decision made by the owner of the property is much better than leaving it up to the court.

Learn More About Utah Simple Wills & Estate Planning Today: 801-874-5644. 

 

 


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

 

 

 


Veterans Benefit Planning Utah Law Firm Morgan & Associates
John Ballard
John Ballard
15:40 18 Nov 21
Chris was great to work with. He helped us understand all... of our options and gave professional advice which we really appreciated. He was friendly and understand all of our concerns. It is money well spent to have peace of mind that the things you work your life for will be left family and not end up going into probate for someone else to decide. We recommend Chris without reservation.read more
Kathrynn Kelley
Kathrynn Kelley
18:19 25 Apr 21
Mr. Chris Morgan was very knowledgeable, helpful, and... professional. We immediately felt at ease with him. He patiently answered all our questions and made recommendations that were to our benefit. We were glad to find a local attorney to advise us. We would highly recommend his services.read more
Roberta Sherman
Roberta Sherman
15:58 01 Mar 21
Chris worked very quickly to get my Living Will completed. ... Though he was very knowledge in what he does, he explained things to me very simply so that I could understand what was needed and best for my situation. I felt confident in his knowledge and professionalism. He was quick and responsive to my phone calls. Highly Recommend!!read more
Gillian Wain
Gillian Wain
22:34 29 May 20
Chris Morgan was very professional and worked quickly. ... Very happy with his work.read more
Karen Watts
Karen Watts
17:58 29 May 20
We were very happy with the way Chris treated us and his... experience in doing our wills. He was excellent to work with and very cordial and answered all our questions and willing to help us in other matters.read more
Derrilee Thomas
Derrilee Thomas
23:19 28 May 20
CHRIS offered, for free, for the month of May, the writing... up of a Will. Most things aren't really for "Free" but it really was! Chris did the Will for us and it was fast and convient. He simply did it as a service. He didn't try to add on anything that would be an additional cost. I really appreciated him giving of his time to help me and my husband out. Thank you Morgan & Associates!read more
Peggy Shepherd
Peggy Shepherd
17:13 27 May 20
We were impressed with the quality and quick response and... the friendliness of both associates upon our first and only visit.read more
Amy Omer
Amy Omer
21:16 26 May 20
We had a great experience with Chris Morgan. He walked us... through our options with a will/trust and educated us about special needs trusts for our son. He was generous and helpful and it didn’t feel like he was trying to sell us more than we needed. We recommend this office!read more
Thomas Omer
Thomas Omer
18:58 26 May 20
My wife and I have always meant to get a will, and just... have never done it. I’m happy we finally got it done with Chris Morgan’s help! He was very knowledgeable and helpful, while being respectful of our time and interests. He has a great little office on Main Street in Lehi, and even took the time to disinfect between visits. We have an autistic son, so he took time to explain all about special needs trusts, but he didn’t try to push us into buying more than what we needed at the moment (which was just the will).Anyway, we’re very happy with Chris, and highly recommend his services!read more
Cecilia Salvesen
Cecilia Salvesen
01:14 24 May 20
Chris has been a pleasure to deal with. He is profession as... well as relaxed with a good sense of humor. It was a pleasure dealing with Chris and Associates.read more
Jill Hickman
Jill Hickman
21:19 10 Apr 20
Chris Morgan is great and we loved the efficiency! Me and... my husband have been talking about getting our wills done for years! Yes, probably for about 10 years or more because we have kids. We never wanted something happen to us and leave our kids parent-less! So I knew it was going to be happening this year since I put in my calendar as a "to do" item. However, January is our good intentions month and I did not follow through! I kept on putting that item to a later, more convenient time. The convenient later time never seems to come. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit! We all know that this pandemic time is not convenient! After being at home for about a month, I decided that I better just do the will because we never know what to expect with life. I called his office on Wednesday and talked with Chris and set up an appointment, two days later for Friday. We just went in to our appointment and it took us 30 minutes to get mine and my husband's completed notarized will!! I am so ecstatic and feel great that this is finally taken care of! It is such a peace of mind! Chris is personable and professional and knows how to do his trade efficiently and well! Please don't hesitate like I did for years, just go to Chris Morgan and get it done! It will be a peace of mind for you! As a side note, he sanitizes between clients and the room where we signed was big enough to do the 6 feet social distancing. $100 for a personal will x2 for both of us, contained in this nice maroon folder.read more
Gary Thurgood
Gary Thurgood
02:53 17 Mar 20
This was the best experience with an attorney that I’ve... ever had in my life, He went over and above my expectations, I would recommend Morgan and associates to everyone and I will !!!read more
Lee MacGregor
Lee MacGregor
23:01 03 Mar 20
I am Extremely Impressed for the hospitality and well... manner, I was well informed after the call I made to Morgan & Associates, Not to mention that I called five other Lawyers and no one had the time to talk about to me. I was again IMPRESSED!!!! Not the normal Lawyerread more
Blake Ross
Blake Ross
00:08 29 Feb 20
We love Chris Morgan! He is very knowledgeable about Utah... law and was a great help with setting up our trust as well as my parents trust. He is very easy to talk to and he makes it very comfortable planning for the future. We highly recommended Morgan and Associates!read more
Mary Taylor
Mary Taylor
18:10 22 Feb 20
Very good information and help with will and trust. ... Learned a lot! Will definitely go back Did not charge for information-packed appointment.read more
Tyler Fenn
Tyler Fenn
19:01 29 Dec 19
Chris Morgan was excellent to work with. A lot goes into a... trust that I don’t understand and Chris helped me understand the nuances of creating and maintaining a trust and living wills for my wife and I. I’d highly recommend him for his knowledge and professionalism.read more
Jenn Fenn
Jenn Fenn
18:55 29 Dec 19
Chris is an excellent attorney. Our experience was the best... we’ve had with an attorney. He reviewed our existing trust and was candid about what was done well and what he could improve for us. His work was quick and he helped us understand everything going into our wills and trust. I highly recommend Chris Morgan.read more
Kathy Stevens
Kathy Stevens
02:21 08 Nov 19
Chris was very helpful and took the time to listen to all... of my concerns. I appreciate all he did for me and my son.read more
Brad Walker
Brad Walker
22:15 11 Oct 19
Chris is very professional and personal in his work. He is... very detailed in his helping our family. We highly recommend him.read more
Steven Sorensen
Steven Sorensen
21:32 10 Sep 19
Chris Morgan is very knowledgeable in Law and also... understands how the real world works. He has a talent to help one understand the process and make you feel comfortable in planning your estate. He really wants the best for his clients. I’m very grateful to have him represent our family trust.read more
Tiffany Hardinger
Tiffany Hardinger
02:18 06 Jul 19
Morgan & Associates is wonderful! They helped us walk... through details of setting up a Trust for my mother and still continue to support us after her passing. Goes the extra mile in all aspects including meeting at our home to finalize documents. Highly recommended!read more
Jenna Szoke
Jenna Szoke
01:07 20 Jun 19
We thoroughly enjoyed our experience with Chris Morgan. He... set up our special needs trust and made the whole process straightforward and convenient for us. My husband and I were impressed with his knowledge of the law surrounding people with disabilities. We look forward to his assistance over the years and would recommend him to anyone needing a special needs trust done or even just a simple will.read more
Sami Draper
Sami Draper
04:17 18 Mar 19
Answers the phone on the weekend and is so willing to help... you on their days off. Extremely helpful and friendly.read more
lynn lindstrom
lynn lindstrom
22:45 15 Mar 19
They were kind and helpful explaining every thing helped me... with other things I needed done would use them again no problem excellentread more
Charlotte Stock
Charlotte Stock
17:23 01 Feb 19
Christopher Morgan listens closely and is very... knowledgeable about Utah law concerning estate planning, health care directives, and wills. I was amazed at his ability to give me the help and advice I needed to be completely satisfied and at peace with every document he made for me. He certainly has my vote of confidence. I highly recommend him to everyone. Charlotte Stockread more
Janelle Wakley
Janelle Wakley
22:23 25 Jan 19
Chris was very helpful when my husband and I had questions... about our Medicaid application. He is friendly and professional.read more
Wolfiere Labs
Wolfiere Labs
20:38 25 Jan 19
JoAnna Hall
JoAnna Hall
17:14 21 Dec 18
If you're looking to get your estate planning, trust in... order, Chris is the guy!! He is so thorough and explained everything in terms we understand and knows what he is doing! Very pleasant experience and we HIGHLY recommend him! Thanks Chris!read more
Joe Clements
Joe Clements
19:25 05 Dec 18
We needed help with making a Will and Trust. Chris got us... in quickly and produced our documents at a super affordable cost! Highly recommend!!read more
Ben Tyler
Ben Tyler
05:57 02 Nov 18
My wife and I hired Chris Morgan to help us with our Estate... Planning documents and could not have been more pleased! Chris was responsive to our every need, flexible in his scheduling, patient and clear in educating, sensitive to our interests, and produced a product which far exceeded expectations. But this really didn't surprise me, considering the raving reviews he's received from his clients. With binder of completed documents in hand, my head will rest more comfortably on my pillow tonight. Thank you, Chris, for making our most important priorities your own. We look forward to receiving our first Christmas card :).read more
Bonnie Hill
Bonnie Hill
21:32 31 Jul 18
Chris was really great to work with! On our first meeting... he was very knowledgeable and funny and easy to talk to! He explained things and addressed all our concerns and questions. He made things fun and eased any tensions. He seems honest and fair. The best part is that he was willing to come to our home for the meeting. He was easy to work with schedule wise as well. I would definitely recommend Chrisread more