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Wills and Trusts

Wills and trusts are a vital part of estate planning. 

But which financial planning tool is right for you?

Froerer & Miles have helped clients of Ogden, UT, create these documents since 1959. We can determine which one best suits your estate.

Do I Have an Estate?

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Yes. Your estate refers to anything you own, no matter how much or how little that happens to be. 

Important Differences At a Glance

Characteristic Will Trust
Can take effect during the testator's life No Yes
Goes through probate Yes No
Public record Yes No
Names a guardian for minors Yes No
Specifies funeral arrangements Yes No

Protect the Future of Your Estate Request a Free Consultation with Our Ogden, UT, Firm

Estate planning can feel overwhelming, but our estate planning attorneys simplify the process to help you get your assets in order for the future. At Froerer & Miles in Ogden, UT, we have helped clients protect their assets since 1959. We can work closely with you to identify your unique estate planning needs and recommend the strategy best suited to your goals. Whether you need a simple will or a complex trust, we can help create the document that will serve your best interests.

To request a free consultation with our law firm and begin planning for the future, contact us online or call our Ogden, UT, office: 

(801) 621-2690

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Our Ogden, UT, team can set the right plan in place for you.

Ogden, UT, Clients Thank Our Law Firm

1

Brad Coleman

2022

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I’ve worked with Matt and Kelly and they both do a great job. Have had them create a trust for us, as well as several LLC’s. They’ve always provided quick, top notch legal services for us. Would highly recommend.

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1

Shane Berrett

2022

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Froerer & Miles were recommended to us by our friends, and we have been very pleased with our estate planning experience there. The whole process was smooth, personable, easy and efficient. Matt Miles and the staff were very helpful, knowledgeable, detail-oriented and a pleasure to work with. 

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Estate Planning Terminology

Various terms are used when crafting your will or living trust. When working with an attorney at our Ogden, UT, law firm, we will make sure you understand every aspect of our services and what they can do for you. For now, here are a few terms to note:

  • Testator - Owns a will
  • Executor - Carries out a will
  • Witnesses - Verify that a will is valid
  • Beneficiaries - Recipients of assets in the will or trust
  • Guardians - Granted authority over minors by a will
  • Grantor - Whoever sets up the trust
  • Trustee - Manager of a trust (this can be a person or financial institution)
  • Principal - Money or property held in the trust

The Process of Creating a Will

The process our Ogden, UT, law firm uses to create your will depends on your assets and needs. Generally, our attorneys will take you through the following steps to ensure everything in your estate is accounted for:
In Utah, you must be 18 years old to make a will. 
In Utah, you must be 18 years old to make a will. 

Choosing an Executor

Our Ogden, UT, law office starts the process by having you choose an executor to carry out your will. The executor should be someone you trust, and they should understand the responsibility and confirm that they will accept the role. 

Making Records of Property

Your will documents your real property (houses, land, and permanent objects) and your personal property (jewelry, family heirlooms, and items of importance). Also, you must include a record of your debt and notify your beneficiaries of the standing debt.  

Selecting Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries can change throughout your life as the people you have relationships with change. You should list alternate beneficiaries in case the primary beneficiaries die. 

Considering Guardianship

If both parents die, a will ensures that a guardian is assigned to the minor children of the testator. You should choose two guardians in case the first choice is unable to care for your children. Pet guardians should also be appointed. 

Protecting Digital Assets

Much of our lives exist online in the modern world. When crafting your will, it's important to consider what you'd like to happen to your digital assets, such as social media, after your death. Access to your usernames and passwords should be recorded in a password manager and shared with your executor. 

Validating Your Will

In Utah, you must sign your will in front of two witnesses in order to validate it as a legal document. If you make changes to your will in the future, you need to re-validate it with witnesses present. 

Storing Your Will

After your will is validated, you'll want to keep it in a safe place. If your will is destroyed, it's automatically revoked. Utah is one of the few states that allow electronic wills. Our Ogden, UT, law firm can discuss this option with you. 

Don't Approach Estate Planning Alone Request a Legal Consultation with an Attorney

Estate planning can set your loved ones up for success and ensure that your assets are appropriately allocated upon death. Wills and trusts are vital to successful estate planning but can feel overwhelming without a legal advocate to guide you through the process. It's never too early to start planning your estate, especially if you have children. Having a properly crafted will can expedite the probate process and save the time and hassle of the state distributing your assets for you. Call our Ogden, UT, law office to request a free consultation with our team of Utah attorneys:

(801) 621-2690

A Review by an Ogden, UT, Client

"We worked with Bob Froerer to create a Revocable Living Trust to replace our outdated last will and testaments. Bob could not have been more helpful and patient, nor could he have made the whole process any easier." Ed Partridge

Can I Change My Will?

Circumstances change, assets are added, and wills sometimes need to be altered accordingly. You can change or revoke your will at any time during your lifetime. We recommend reviewing your will periodically to ensure it still fits your needs. You should review your will every three years to make appropriate updates. You may want to review your will sooner if:

  • Your children turn 18
  • You have a new child or grandchild
  • You start a business
  • You get married or divorced
  • You move out of state
  • A beneficiary passes away
  • You want assets to go to a new charitable organization
  • Tax laws change on a state or federal level
  • You've begun taking money out of your retirement
  • The value of your estate has changed significantly
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Reviews From Happy Ogden, UT, Clients

1

Scott Wheeler

2021

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We enlisted the services of Froerer & Miles to review and update a badly out of date revocable family trust. Matt Miles was a clear and concise advisor who answered all of our complex questions and guided us through some difficult discussions and decisions. He reduced a cumbersome and confusing fifty page document to a clearly written and understandable fifteen pages. We are very impressed with this organization.

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1

Danielle Shupe

2020

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We had our Family Revocable Trust finalized and completed ! What a relief ! After many years of postponing ,pondering , researching ,we finally asked the Law firm Froerer and Miles to help us . It went very smoothly , the law terms were explained to us , we were so relieved to have this taken care for our children . Thank you so much for making this procedure so simple for us. The cost is reasonable and is well worth the service.

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Froerer & Miles

The attorneys at Froerer & Miles have successfully represented clients in a wide range of practice areas since 1959. Our team of attorneys can protect your best interests in matters related to:

  • Family Law
  • Estate law
  • Real Estate Disputes
  • Business Law
  • Personal Injury
  • Litigation
     

We offer free consultations and provide honest feedback to potential clients regarding their cases. To request your free consultation, contact us online or call us at (801) 621-2690.

Contact Us Today

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Ogden Office

2661 Washington Blvd
Ste 201
Ogden, UT 84401

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