Holidays are about loved ones and so is legal planning. Here are 12 Questions to Ponder this holiday season as you gather with your loved ones.

1.      If any of your children their inheritance today, would you be concerned about how they would handle it? Do you want to protect the money you pass down from your loved ones’ creditors, divorcing spouses, predators?

2.      Do you have enough assets or life insurance to care for your children in your absence?

3.      Have you recently created a list of your assets so that if something happens to you, family knows where to look?

4.      If you have young children, have you designed permanent and temporary guardians to take care of them if you can’t?

5.      When was the last time you checked for hidden treasure (i.e. the Utah Unclaimed Property website) to see if you (or your family) have forgotten property/accounts/assets that have been returned to the state?

6.      Who do you want to make medical decisions for you if you can’t? Have you legally document that decision?

7.      If you’re incapacitated, could a trusted family member sell your assets to pay for your care or for the care of those dependent upon you without court intervention? Who would you want to have that authority? Is it legally documented?

8.     When you die, where do you want your money and property to go? Is there anyone you don’t want to receive money that may? Would the money disqualify anyone from government benefits? Have I legally documented my wishes?

9.      If you have a legal plan for your assets when you die, when was the last time you had your plan (will/trust) reviewed and “tuned up