Wills & Trusts Attorneys in Salt Lake County
Take Advantage of Estate Planning Tools in South Jordan & Utah County
Proper estate planning with an experienced attorney ensures your estate is administered according to your wishes. Another key goal of estate planning is to minimize taxes and other expenses, thereby preserving the property intended for your beneficiaries. Failing to create a comprehensive estate plan will likely expose your loved ones to avoidable conflict, expense, and delay. Importantly, an estate plan will reduce the risk of your loved ones competing over the details and property of your estate.
If you need help drafting a will, establishing a trust, or accomplishing any other estate planning goal, you can count on the team at Eric M. Swinyard & Associates, PLLC in South Jordan. Our Salt Lake County will and trust attorneys offer client-focused counsel and deliver results-driven representation.
Call (801) 515-4133 or contact us online to request a consultation.
Hear From Our Happy Clients
At Eric M. Swinyard & Associates, PLLC, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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Eric did an awesome job.
Eric did an awesome job for my heavily contested custody case. Each of the professionals we worked with seemed to speak very ...
Gavin S. -
I would definitely refer them to others for any legal needs!
I worked with Eric and his team during a stalking case. They were awesome to work with! They kept me informed and comfortable ...
Mallory H. -
He is very prompt with his responses to emails and phone calls which makes the process less stressful.
Eric was very knowledgeable about the process and explained the options available without pressuring me into something I was ...
Amy Lee -
He handled all matters promptly and thoroughly. He cares deeply about his clients and makes sure their needs are fully understood.
Eric is an outstanding attorney. He handled all matters promptly and thoroughly. He cares deeply about his clients and makes ...
Thomas M. -
I have had an absolutely positive experience through and through with them. They’re professional, empathetic, and ethical. I wish I could give more than 5 stars.
It takes a lot to say that you love the experience you had with your lawyer, but it’s true. Ryan Ficklin is awesome. Eric ...
Nicolle G. -
Highly recommend Eric and Preston without reservation. Their fees are more than reasonable and their service more than expected.
Very professional and represented both parties fairly. At the end of the day, we received such empathy and understanding at a ...
Bart -
This was all so stress free. I’m extremely great full for Preston and his staff for putting forth all the time to help me out!
Guys! I had THE best experience! I had NO idea how to file for my divorce but Preston was amazing, very patient and made sure ...
Dalisa -
I couldn’t be more pleased with the results and would definitely recommend Eric to anyone looking for a fantastic lawyer and a great price. You won’t be disappointed.
Eric is amazing! I have worked with several lawyers over the years and Eric is the first I have felt actually cared about my ...
Logan
Revocable Trusts
A comprehensive estate plan generally includes a revocable trust (also known as a living trust), a last will and testament, a power of attorney, a health care directive, and property transfer documents.
Many people are unsure about the difference between a will and a trust. Both are methods of ensuring organized estate administration, but the documents function in different ways.
A revocable trust has become a widely used tool because it is a flexible document that grants authority to govern an estate with minimal oversight from courts and other third parties. In addition, a trust can help minimize taxes and protect your family’s privacy during the estate administration process. A primary reason for using a trust is to guarantee that only those you trust have control over how your wishes are implemented.
As with most other estate planning documents, revocable trusts can be amended even after they have been signed. As your family situation changes over the years, it is vital to touch base with your estate planning attorney to confirm your documents continue to reflect your estate planning goals.
An estate plan that incorporates a revocable trust is typically more complex than one relying on a simple will. Therefore, families who would like to take advantage of the benefits of a trust must work closely with an attorney who can guide them through each step of the process, from planning and drafting to execution, funding, and administration.
Health Care Directives
An advance health care directive ensures your medical wishes are honored even if you are unable to communicate those wishes to health care providers. This document gives your named agent authority to make major medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. The health care directive can include the power to sign consent forms or releases with health care providers. The directive also functions as a living will for end-of-life decisions.
Special Needs Trusts
Physically or mentally disabled persons often depend on important government-funded programs, such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income. These and other benefit programs, including programs funded by the State of Utah, often consider an applicant’s assets and/or income when determining eligibility.
A proper estate plan will ensure your beneficiaries receive as much of your estate as possible without jeopardizing their eligibility for these benefit programs. Our will and trust attorneys in Salt Lake County are familiar with the complexities of creating an estate plan that protects the interests of beneficiaries enrolled in such programs. By creating a special needs trust (also known as a supplemental needs trust), we can help you leave assets to your beneficiary in a way that supplements – rather than replaces – the benefits he or she receives from other sources.
Blended Family Estate Plans
At Eric M. Swinyard & Associates, PLLC, we understand that each family situation is unique and provides its own opportunities as well as risks. Second marriages require careful estate planning to maintain family harmony after the death of the parents. An estate plan for a blended family requires considering the needs of both parents as well as their children – children from the present marriage in addition to those from previous relationships.
If the parents of a blended family die without an estate plan in place, there is no guarantee the children will receive the share of the estate to which they are entitled. Hiring an attorney to prepare an estate plan can help avoid potential complicating factors that often arise with blended family estate plans.
