Estate Planning Readiness Checkup
Ten quick questions — no names, no contact details — for a plain-English picture of where your estate plan stands today.
Educational tool only. Not legal advice. No attorney–client relationship is created by using this site.
Your Readiness Snapshot
Calculated only from the answers you selected — nothing else.
Just getting started
Your answers suggest most of the core estate planning documents may not be in place yet. That is very common — and it is generally straightforward to address, one document at a time.
A foundation is forming
Your answers suggest you have made a start, and there may be meaningful gaps for your situation. The cards below show where many people in a similar position choose to focus next.
Nearly there
Your answers suggest most of the core pieces are in place. A focused review may help close the remaining gaps highlighted below.
Well prepared
Your answers suggest the core pieces of an estate plan are in place. Many people in this position simply schedule a periodic review, since laws and life circumstances change over time.
Will
You have this Recommended for your situationA will generally directs who receives your property and who administers your estate. Since you indicated you have one, many people simply re-read it every few years — or after a marriage, divorce, birth, or move — to confirm it still says what they want.
A will generally directs who receives your property, names a personal representative, and — for parents — is typically where a guardian for minor children is nominated. Without one, Utah's intestacy rules generally decide who inherits. Many people in this situation choose to start here.
Handwritten wills: Utah generally recognizes holographic (handwritten) wills, but they can be fragile in practice — unclear wording, missing signatures, or lost pages may create disputes. Many people choose a formally signed and witnessed will for that reason.
Revocable Living Trust
You have this Recommended for your situationA revocable living trust generally lets assets pass without probate. Since you have one, many people periodically confirm the trust is "funded" — meaning the home, accounts, and other titled assets have actually been transferred into it.
A revocable living trust generally lets assets pass to your beneficiaries without probate and can provide for management if you become incapacitated. Many homeowners, business owners, and people with out-of-state property choose to discuss whether one fits their plan.
Financial Power of Attorney
You have this Recommended for your situationA financial power of attorney generally lets someone you trust manage money matters if you cannot. Many people re-confirm every few years that the agent they named is still the right choice.
A financial power of attorney generally lets a person you choose handle bank accounts, bills, and property if you become unable to. Without one, a court process may be needed before anyone can step in. Many people consider this a core document at any age.
Healthcare Directive
You have this Recommended for your situationA healthcare directive generally records your medical wishes and names someone to speak for you if you cannot. Many people revisit it after major health or family changes.
A healthcare directive (Utah's advance directive) generally records your treatment preferences and names an agent for medical decisions if you cannot speak for yourself. Many people in this situation choose to put one in place — it is often the simplest of the four documents.
Want a professional read on these results?
Educational tool only. Not legal advice. No attorney–client relationship is created by using this site.
The Four Core Documents, in Plain English
Most Utah estate plans are built from four documents. Here is what each one generally does — useful whether you take the checkup above or simply read through the questions as a checklist.
Will
A will generally directs who receives your property when you pass away, names a personal representative to handle your estate, and — for parents of minor children — is typically where a guardian is nominated. Without a will, Utah's intestacy rules generally decide who inherits.
A note on handwritten wills: Utah generally recognizes holographic (handwritten) wills, but they can be fragile in practice — unclear wording, missing signatures, or lost pages may lead to disputes. Many people choose a formally signed and witnessed will for that reason.
Revocable Living Trust
A revocable living trust generally lets assets pass to your beneficiaries without going through probate, and can provide for management of your affairs if you become incapacitated. It only works for assets that are actually transferred into it, which is why "funding" the trust matters. It may be especially worth discussing for homeowners, business owners, and anyone who owns property in more than one state.
Financial Power of Attorney
A financial power of attorney generally lets a person you choose manage bank accounts, bills, and property if you become unable to handle them yourself. Without one, a court-supervised process may be required before anyone can step in — which is why many people consider this a core document at any age.
Healthcare Directive
A healthcare directive — Utah's advance directive — generally records your treatment preferences and names an agent to make medical decisions if you cannot speak for yourself. It is often the simplest of the four documents to complete, and many people pair it with the financial power of attorney.
Want more depth? See our wills and trusts overview or the estate planning practice area.
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