What Exactly Is a Revocable Living Trust

There are all kinds of trusts.  Trust planning can get extremely complicated and expensive if you have a lot of money and are trying to avoid estate taxes.  Since most of us no longer have that problem (2021 thresholds for federal estate taxes are $11.7 million for...

What Exactly Is Probate?

Probate is a court proceeding for the court to review a will and/or appoint a personal representative of the estate.  In Utah, probate is not as bad as it is in other states, meaning that the courts move fairly quickly and the probate process is fairly...

What Exactly Is a Will?

A last will and testament is a legal document that dictates what happens when you die.  Who gets what, who is in charge of making sure that happens, etc.  If you have kids, a last will and testament also typically sets forth who will be a guardian.  Can a will be...

What Exactly is a Power of Attorney

A power of attorney is a legal document giving someone else authority to act in your behalf.  This can be limited, for one transaction or for a set period of time.  It can also be durable, meaning that it stands until it is revoked or superseded.  Most estate plans...

What Exactly Is An Advanced Directive?

Anyone remember the Terri Shiavo case in Florida in the 2000s?  You may remember the name but have forgotten the details.  Terri went into cardiac arrest and survived but was left in a vegetative state due to a lack of oxygen to her brain during the incident.  Her...

The Basics of Medicaid Planning

Of the political issues at the forefront of the national discourse over the last five years, none has been as impassioned, polarizing and confusing as the debate about health care. Terms like Medicare, Obamacare and Medicaid play a key role in the discussion and are...

Medicaid Long-Term Care Planning

Planning for Medicaid is more important than ever before. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than 70% of Americans over the age of 65 will need long-term care at some point in their lives. Nursing homes can cost anywhere from...