Blog
I write these posts to help you understand the legal issues that affect your family, your business, and your future — in plain English, without the legalese. If something here raises a question about your own situation, I’m always happy to talk.
Your Will Doesn’t Control Your 401(k) — Here’s What Does
You spent real time and real money building an estate plan. Your will is signed. Maybe you even have a trust. You feel good about it — and you should. But…
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Do I Need a Trust or Just a Will in Utah?
Everyone's heard of a will. Most people have a vague plan to "get one someday." A few actually follow through. And almost nobody knows whether they actuall…
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5 Things Every Utah Business Owner’s Operating Agreement Should Include
Most Utah business owners form an LLC. They pay the filing fee. They get their certificate of organization. They check the box. And then they use a generic…
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The Estate Planning Game: Which Level Is Your Family On?
Level 2: Basic Protection (The Smart Minimum) The Setup: A properly drafted will, durable financial power of attorney, healthcare directive, and maybe a gu…
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Utah’s New Advance Health-Care Directive: What Changed and What You Need to Know
Starting January 1, 2026, Utah adopted the Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act (Utah Code § 75A-9-101 et seq.), replacing the previous advance directive fram…
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The Essential Estate Planning Checklist: 5 Documents Every Family Needs
Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy—it's for anyone who wants to protect their family and ensure their wishes are honored. Whether you're a new pare…
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Is Your Business Structure Still Working for You?
Most business owners don't think much about their entity structure—until something changes. Maybe your income has become more predictable. Maybe your tax b…
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Understanding Probate: What You Can Do to Avoid It
Here's something most people don't realize until it's too late: when you pass away, your family might not be able to access your bank accounts, sell your h…
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Planning for Your Digital Assets: An Essential Part of Modern Estate Planning
Quick question: If something happened to you tomorrow, would your family be able to access your email? Your photos stored in the cloud? Your cryptocurrency? Your social media accounts? For most people, the honest answer is no. And that’s a ...
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Starting an LLC in Utah or Arizona: A Step-by-Step Guide
Thinking about starting a business? Whether you’re launching a side hustle, taking your freelance work to the next level, or building the next big thing, one of the first decisions you’ll face is choosing a business structure. For most small ...
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How and Why to Appoint “Backup Parents” in Your Will
Here’s a question every parent needs to answer: If something happened to you and your spouse tomorrow, who would raise your children? It’s not a comfortable thing to think about. But it might be the most important decision you make ...
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Estate Planning in Your 20s and 30s
Learn why estate planning matters even in your 20s and 30s, and which key documents can protect you, your family, and your future decisions.
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The Importance of Organization: Keeping Your Family Prepared
Would your family know where to find your important documents if something happened to you? Learn how proper organization protects your loved ones and complements your estate plan.
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Navigating Business Structures: Finding the Right Fit for Your Business
Choosing the right business structure affects everything from personal liability to taxes to growth potential. Learn about sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations to find the best fit for your Utah or Arizona business.
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How Estate Planning Completes the 7 Jobs for Money
Guest Post by Carl Woolston, CFP®, ChFC®, Thrive Retirement Planning Why Coordinating Your Estate Plan and Retirement Plan Brings Peace of Mind You’ve worked hard to build your financial life — decades of saving, investing, and planning for retirement. You’ve ...
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