Author: Stephen Howard

Estate Planning Definitions & Terms (T-Z)

Testamentary Trust: a testamentary trust is a trust that is established through a last will and testament and becomes effective only after the grantor’s death. Under Utah law, a testamentary…
Assets and Property in Your Estate Plan

Q: What assets should be included when setting up an estate plan in Utah? A: Most assets and property that should be considered when making an estate plan can be…
Guardianship for Minor Turning 18

Utah law distinguishes between guardianship over a minor and a guardianship for an incapacitated adult. A guardian, and even a parent of a minor child who is about to turn…
Estate Planning Intake Form

The following form is for use by individuals intending to or already working with Stephen Howard or Stone River Law in Utah. You may download this pdf and send the…
Modifying an Irrevocable Living Trust

Can an irrevocable living trust be modified in Utah? Most living trusts in Utah are created initially as revocable trusts, meaning that they can be modified, amended, or revoked and…
Expungements & Character Reference Letters

Tips on Getting Good Character Letters Character letters can play an important role in convincing the court to grant your expungement petition. Here are some tips. To Whom…. Here are…
Estate Planning Tools & Roles

An Overview of the Documents and People Involved Your “estate” includes everything you own: home, car, retirement and investment accounts, checking and savings accounts, furniture, tools, toys, personal items, etc.…
Protected: Estates Form Draft Demo

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Navigating Utah’s Justice Courts

Knowing your legal rights and understanding Utah’s criminal justice system is crucial when facing criminal charges ibn Utah. Justice courts handle a substantial number of misdemeanor cases as part of…
Estate Planning Terms and Definitions

Understanding key terms and concepts involved in the estate planning process is an important part of establishing a personalized estate plan. The following are general definitions and information about legal…
Family Trusts and the Mortgage Due-on-Sale Clause

Creating a living trust (sometimes called a family trust or revocable trust) can be an important part of a comprehensive estate plan. Transferring your home or other real estate into…
What happens when a person dies without a will in Utah?

A person who dies without leaving a will is considered to have died “intestate.” Under Utah law, what happens to that person’s estate is dictated by sections of the Utah…