Do I need a will in Utah if I am married but have no children?

Stephen Howard — Stone River Law

Real People. Real Solutions.

If you are married without any children and die without a will, Utah intestate succession laws may dictate that your entire estate will pass to your spouse. For some couples, this may be an adequate outcome. But even if this is what you want done with your property and assets, often creating even a basic estate plan under Utah law can help avoid the troubles and costs associated with filing a probate action in Utah. Based in Salt Lake City, Stephen Howard offers estate planning and probate services to clients throughout Utah. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.

Depending on the age of your spouse and his/her ability to provide for himself/herself, you may also want to consider whether there are other family members or charitable organizations that you would like to receive a portion of your estate. For individuals with large estates, you may also want to consider using more complex estate planning tools to avoid unnecessary estate taxes.