admin – Cornerstone Law

Guardianship in Utah: What It Is and How the Process Works

A young hand holding the hand of an elderly person.

A guardianship is a legal relationship in which a court appoints one person, called a guardian, to make personal, health, welfare, and care decisions for another person, called the ward or “protected person.” Guardianship can apply to minor children or to incapacitated adults. Although both are handled under the Probate Code, the legal standards and procedures differ depending on whether the protected person is a minor or…

admin In Estate Planning

What Is a Power of Attorney?

A power of attorney is a legal document in which one person, called the principal, authorizes another person, called the agent or attorney-in-fact, to act on the principal’s behalf. The agent may be given authority to handle financial, legal, property, business, or other matters, depending on the terms of the document. A power of attorney is an important estate planning tool because it allows a trusted…

admin In Trusts

Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts: Key Differences in Estate Planning

A revocable trust that helps with long-term estate planning.

Trusts are commonly used in estate planning to manage property, provide for beneficiaries, avoid or simplify probate, and plan for incapacity or death. Two major categories of trusts are revocable trusts and irrevocable trusts. Although both involve transferring or holding property in trust, they serve different purposes and have different legal, tax, and asset-control consequences. What Is a Trust? A trust is a legal arrangement…

admin In Wills

What Happens When Someone Dies Without a Will in Utah?

When a person dies without a valid will, the person is said to have died intestate. In that situation, Utah law determines who receives the person’s property, who has priority to administer the estate, and how the estate will be distributed. Dying without a will does not mean that the State automatically receives the estate, but it does mean that the…

admin In Estate Planning

What is an Estate Plan?

Probate process guidance for families managing a deceased's estate.

An estate plan is a coordinated set of legal documents that governs the management, protection, and disposition of a person’s assets and personal decision-making authority during incapacity and after death. An estate plan mitigates probate delays, reduces administrative costs, and provides clarity to loved ones. Four foundational components typically include a will, a trust, a power of attorney, and an…

admin In Estate Planning

Why You Should Have an Estate Plan: Top Five Reasons

Why You Should Have an Estate Plan: Top Five Reasons An estate plan is more than a will. It is a coordinated set of instruments that governs decision making during incapacity and the disposition of property at death. A thoughtfully designed plan protects loved ones, preserves privacy, reduces delay and expense, and aligns outcomes with personal, financial, and familial objectives.…