https://youtu.be/O7bAn7vEUAg Marianne Ludlow, an experienced Utah estate planning attorney, discusses 4 ways you can legally protect yourself and your family during the COVID-19 o
I’ve been an estate planner for over 20 years and haven’t seen anything quite like the situation we are in now. I’ve been getting a lot of questions about what a person can
In December of 2019, President Trump signed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE Act) effective January 1, 2020. The Act is the most impactful legislat
Many of us labor a lifetime to build up our assets and fight for causes that matter to us. Few things are more fulfilling than the thought of sharing what we have worked hard for and l
When it comes to your family’s legacy, every dollar you can save from tax collection counts. One way to keep your assets out of the hands of the IRS is the formation of a community p
Many people who inherit wealth or small businesses are at significant risk for essentially squandering the wealth. An Ohio University study shows that an astonishing 33 percent1 of all
If your estate plan includes one or more trusts, you may have a good reason for wanting to keep them a secret. For example, you may be concerned that, if your children or other benefic
Estate planning typically focuses on what happens to your assets when you die. But it’s equally important (some might say more important) to have a plan for making critical financial
If you want to preserve as much wealth as possible for your children, but you leave property to your spouse outright, there’s no guarantee your objective will be met. This may be a co
A traditional trust can sometimes create a conflict between the lifetime (i.e. beneficiaries that have an interest in trust assets just for their lifetime) and remainder beneficiaries (
In a world that’s increasingly paperless, you’re likely becoming accustomed to conducting a variety of transactions digitally. But when it comes to your last will and testament, onl
An irrevocable trust has long been a key component of many estate plans. But what if it no longer serves your purposes? Is it too late to change it? Under Utah law, there are options to
Of course, you expect the declarations in your will to be carried out, as required by law. Usually, that’s exactly what happens with wills. However, it’s possible your will could be
The most effective estate planning strategies often involve the use of irrevocable trusts. But what if you’re uncomfortable placing your assets beyond your control? What happens if yo
Non-U.S. citizens in the United States face some estate planning challenges when it comes to taxes. If you’re a U.S. resident, but not a citizen, the IRS treats you similarly to a U.S
Today, it’s not unusual for a family to include children from prior marriages. These “blended
Naming a minor as beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement plan can lead to unintended outcomes. A common estate planning mistake is to designate a minor as beneficiary —
Protecting assets against loss to creditors and predators or in divorce or bankruptcy has become a common goal of estate planning. With estate planning you can easily integrate asset
IRAs and employer-sponsored plans such as 401(k)s are powerful retirement savings tools, but they also provide valuable estate planning benefits. If you hold a traditional IRA for life,
If you own life insurance policies at your death, the proceeds will be included in your taxable estate. Ownership is usually determined by several factors, including who has the right t
A common misconception is that estate planning equates to death planning. But planning for what happens after you die is only one piece of an estate plan. Just as important is making a
The tax legislation passed by Congress late last year (nicknamed the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act") represents significant changes to the tax code and will affect most Americans in some way.
There are many reasons to review and revise your legal documents often. Your answers to these important questions may indicate a need for updates. Here are some potential issues that ma
It’s that time of year again – for romantic dinners, chocolate hearts, writing cards and sending flowers. Some folks may just be hoping to get a date on the 14th; but for other
Holidays are about loved ones and so is legal planning. Here are some important questions to ponder this holiday season, as you gather with family and friends. [video width="960" heigh
This weekend, over four thousand theaters across the country were flooded with Star Wars fans. Americans young and old turned out to see the debut of Episode VIII: The Last Jedi. If you
We all wish to pass on hard-earned wealth to our offspring. With grandkids, especially, we often share a special bond that makes us want to provide well for their future. Do you have th
Most people today know and love someone from a blended family, or come from a blended family themselves. The latest statistics show 46 percent of weddings taking place in the United Sta
Congratulation! You've formed a revocable trust - also known as a living trust. This is a great start to protecting your assets and your family's future. But wait...Did you
Some of us are familiar enough with the phrase “estate plan
A Living Document The most important thing to remember about your trust, is that it is a “living
Choosing a guardian to care for your minor children if something happens to you may well be one of the most difficult decisions you face as part of your planning process. The following
A Daunting Task Choosing someone to administer your estate can be difficult. After thoughtfully planning for the financial security of your family and loved ones, you will need someone
