Dying without a will in Utah triggers a rigid state formula called intestate succession that distributes your assets with no input from you. Unmarried partners receive nothing. Stepchildren may be excluded. A judge, not you, appoints a guardian for your minor children. And a will alone does not avoid probate – it actually guarantees it. A properly funded revocable living trust is the most effective way to keep your estate out of court, protect blended family relationships, and ensure your wishes are followed. This piece walks through exactly how Utah’s intestacy laws work, compares wills versus trusts with real cost data, and gives Utah families a clear step-by-step action plan to get their estate in order in 2025 before it becomes their family’s problem.
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5 Things Pierce County Drivers Do After a Crash That Wreck Their Injury Claim
After a car crash in Pierce County, the decisions made in the first 24 to 72 hours often determine whether an injury claim succeeds or falls apart. Five mistakes consistently damage claims before they ever reach settlement: saying you feel fine at the scene before symptoms appear, delaying medical care and creating gaps in your treatment record, giving recorded statements to the opposing insurer without understanding how those statements are used, posting on social media while a claim is open, and signing a release before the full scope of injuries is known. Washington’s pure comparative fault rule and three-year statute of limitations create specific legal context that affects how these mistakes play out. Knowing what to do right after impact, including what to say, what to document, and what not to sign, gives injury victims in communities like Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, and Lakewood the best chance of recovering fair compensation.
St. George Is One of the Fastest-Growing Retirement Destinations in America – And Most New Residents Arrive Without an Updated Estate Plan
St. George, Utah is one of the fastest-growing retirement destinations in the country, drawing thousands of new residents every year from California, Nevada, and beyond. But most people arrive with estate planning documents written under another state’s laws – and that gap can create real problems for their families. A will drafted in California doesn’t automatically align with Utah’s probate code, and a trust that hasn’t been funded with new Utah real estate is essentially useless. This piece walks through why a move triggers an estate planning review, the key differences between wills and revocable living trusts under Utah law, the most common mistakes retirees make, and a clear action plan for getting documents updated quickly. For St. George residents in 2025, getting this right now means avoiding court costs, delays, and family conflict later.
The Rise of Settlement Culture — 95% of Cases Avoid Trial Now
Most people imagine a personal injury case playing out like a courtroom drama—lawyers pacing the floor, witnesses on the stand, a jury deliberating. The reality in 2025 looks very different. Today, about 95% of personal injury cases never make it to trial. They’re resolved through settlements. At Terry Law Firm, P.S., we’ve seen this “settlement […]
What Happens to Your Washington Home If You Die Without a Will? (It’s Not What You Think)
Most Washington homeowners assume their spouse will automatically inherit the family home if they die without a will. The reality under Washington’s intestate succession laws is more complicated – especially for blended families, unmarried partners, and anyone who owns separate property acquired before marriage. Community property rules mean a surviving spouse may inherit only a fraction of the home, with the rest passing to children from prior relationships. Probate in these cases routinely takes 6 to 18 months and can consume a meaningful portion of the estate’s value. A basic will, a revocable living trust, or a community property agreement can prevent these outcomes – but only if the planning is done before it’s needed. This piece breaks down how Washington intestate law actually works, where the biggest risks are for real families in 2026, and what steps homeowners can take now to keep the decision-making where it belongs: with them.
Will vs. Trust in Utah – Which One Actually Keeps Your Family Out of Probate Court in Washington County
Choosing between a will and a trust is one of the most important estate planning decisions Utah families face, and the difference matters enormously for Washington County residents. A will does not avoid probate – it virtually guarantees involvement with the Fifth District Court in St. George, potentially consuming 3% to 8% of an estate’s value in costs and stretching the process over months or years. A properly funded revocable living trust, by contrast, transfers assets directly to beneficiaries without court involvement, keeps your affairs private, and gives your family immediate access to what you intended for them. This breakdown covers Utah-specific probate rules, a full side-by-side comparison of wills and trusts, a step-by-step planning checklist, and the most common mistakes Washington County families make when setting up an estate plan.
