Planning for the future can be overwhelming, especially when it involves difficult questions about aging, incapacity, or what happens after you’re gone. Many families put off estate planning because they’re unsure where to start or assume a simple will is enough. Without a solid plan, loved ones may face legal disputes, court involvement, or uncertainty about your true wishes.
Working with an estate planning attorney provides clarity and control. A lawyer can help you create enforceable legal documents that reflect your wishes and stand up in court, or avoid court proceedings altogether. From drafting wills and establishing trusts to preparing powers of attorney and advance healthcare directives, legal guidance ensures that each part of your plan works as intended. It also allows you to reduce tax exposure, avoid unnecessary delays and costs, and protect vulnerable family members.
Gordon Law Group offers comprehensive estate planning services to individuals and families throughout Heber Valley and the Wasatch Back. Our firm is built on transparency, efficiency, and deep community roots. Whether you’re planning for a growing family or managing a complex estate, our knowledgeable and experienced estate planning lawyers will take the time to understand your goals and build a plan that secures your legacy.
Understanding the Building Blocks of an Estate Plan
Estate planning is more than just writing a will. It’s about making legally sound arrangements to manage and distribute your property, safeguard your family, and prepare for potential incapacity or death. A properly drafted estate plan should address both what happens after death and how your affairs will be handled if you cannot make decisions during your lifetime.
Key components of an estate plan include:
- Wills: A will directs how your assets are distributed and can name guardians for minor children.
- Trusts: Trusts can avoid probate, provide for beneficiaries with special needs, and offer tax advantages, including avoiding the so-called “death tax.”
- Durable Powers of Attorney: This document designates someone to manage your financial affairs if you’re incapacitated.
- Advance Healthcare Directives: Also known as living wills, these documents express your medical treatment preferences and appoint someone to make health-related decisions on your behalf.
An estate planning lawyer can help you determine which tools best suit your specific needs and ensure they comply with Utah law.
Why Estate Planning Matters in Utah
Utah’s probate laws offer structure but can also complicate matters for families without a plan. If you pass away without a will or trust, the court decides how your assets are distributed—often through a process that may not reflect your personal or family priorities. Intestate succession laws determine who receives your property, and these default rules don’t always account for blended families, long-term partnerships, or unique relationships. That process is also expensive and time-consuming.
A well-drafted estate plan lets you make those decisions in advance. With the help of an estate planning attorney, you can control who inherits your assets, who will care for your children, and how financial and medical decisions are made if you become incapacitated. It’s also a key opportunity to plan for long-term care, minimize estate taxes, and avoid disputes among heirs. At Gordon Law Group, we take the time to explain how your estate plan will function under Utah law—and how we can adapt it to meet your goals today and as your needs change.
Business Owners Need Estate Plans Too
Heber Valley business owners face unique estate planning concerns. Your company likely includes tangible and intangible assets, such as inventory, real estate, goodwill, or intellectual property. Without a legal framework, these assets may become entangled in probate, leaving your business vulnerable to disruptions, tax issues, or liquidation.
An effective business estate plan addresses ownership transfer, management continuity, and valuation. For example, a buy-sell agreement can set the terms for how your interest is handled if you die or become incapacitated, ensuring fair treatment for your family and business partners. A trust can hold your business interest and distribute it according to detailed instructions, without court intervention.
With guidance from an experienced estate planning lawyer, these tools can be integrated with your personal estate plan to create a cohesive strategy. Gordon Law Group assists local entrepreneurs with identifying successors, documenting contingency plans, and ensuring their businesses can survive and thrive beyond their direct involvement.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the best intentions, many individuals make errors that reduce the effectiveness of their estate plans. Here are some of the most common issues:
- Using DIY or template-based documents
Online forms often overlook Utah’s legal requirements or your unique family circumstances. Even minor oversights—such as missing signatures or unclear phrasing—can make documents unenforceable. - Failing to update your plan after life changes
Life events like marriage, divorce, births, and deaths can significantly alter your estate picture. Without timely updates, your documents may no longer reflect your intentions. - Not coordinating with beneficiary designations
Beneficiary forms on retirement accounts or insurance policies override your will. Misalignment between these and your estate documents can lead to unintended outcomes. - Overlooking incapacity planning
Estate planning isn’t only about death. Without powers of attorney or healthcare directives, your family may need court approval to manage your affairs during incapacity. - Creating but not funding a trust
Establishing a trust is only the first step—assets must be retitled or transferred. Unfunded trusts leave property exposed to probate. - Choosing the wrong fiduciary
Naming someone as executor or trustee based on closeness, rather than capability, can result in mismanagement or family conflict.
Working with an experienced estate planning attorney at Gordon Law Group helps ensure your plan avoids these pitfalls. We guide clients through every step, from document creation to asset alignment, so your intentions are clearly defined and legally sound.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I die without a will in Utah?
Your assets will be distributed according to Utah’s intestate succession laws, which may not reflect your wishes.
Is a handwritten will legal in Utah?
Yes, Utah recognizes holographic (handwritten) wills, but they must meet specific legal criteria and are more prone to disputes.
How often should I update my estate plan?
It’s best to review your plan every 3–5 years or after significant life events like marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child.
Can I create a trust to avoid probate?
Yes. A properly funded revocable living trust can help your estate bypass the probate process and maintain privacy.
Do I need an estate plan if I don’t own much?
Even with modest assets, an estate plan helps you designate decision-makers and ensures your wishes are fulfilled.
Create a Clear Path for Your Family’s Future
Estate planning often starts with uncertainty. You may not know what documents are necessary, how to protect your loved ones, or what happens if something goes wrong. However, ignoring the issue increases the risk of confusion, delays, and conflict later.
Gordon Law Group is here to help. Our firm offers personalized estate planning services for individuals, families, and business owners in Heber City and the surrounding areas. We provide reliable guidance rooted in local knowledge and a deep commitment to client service.
Contact us today to speak with our estate planning attorney, who will listen to your goals, explain your options, and help you build a plan that gives you peace of mind.
