June 26, 2025
Your Legacy Plan Is a Parting Act of Love
By David M. Perry, Attorney at Law – Logan, Utah
435-881-5409 | perryandperrylaw.com
Planning for what happens after you’re gone isn’t always easy to think about—but it’s one of the clearest and kindest ways you can express love for your family.
An estate plan is more than just legal paperwork. It’s a gift. A roadmap. A statement of your values. It brings clarity and peace at a time when your loved ones need it most. You don’t need to be wealthy to make a meaningful plan—every family deserves the stability and protection that good planning provides.
Why Your Legacy Matters—No Matter Your Net Worth
There’s a common myth that estate planning is only for the rich or the elderly. In truth, it’s for anyone who wants a say in what happens to their property, their children, and their personal choices.
Whether you own a modest home, run a local business, or simply want to designate who takes care of your kids or pets, a clear estate plan ensures your wishes are followed—rather than leaving it up to the courts or Utah’s intestacy laws.
Remove the Guesswork for Your Loved Ones
One of the greatest emotional gifts you can give your family is clarity. When your instructions are clear and legally enforceable, your loved ones aren’t left guessing or arguing over what you "might have wanted." They can focus on supporting one another and honoring your life.
This is how you prevent unnecessary conflict and stress. A will, trust, and basic powers of attorney can make all the difference when it matters most.
Core Documents to Include in Your Plan
Your estate plan doesn’t need to be long or complex, but it should include several key documents:
Last Will and Testament – Specifies who gets what and names guardians for minor children.
Revocable Living Trust – Helps manage your assets now and pass them privately and efficiently after your death.
Financial Power of Attorney – Appoints someone you trust to handle finances if you’re unable.
Healthcare Power of Attorney and Living Will – Ensures your medical wishes are known and honored.
These documents must meet Utah’s legal requirements, so working with a qualified attorney is essential.
Planning for Minor Children
If you have young children, it’s critical to name a guardian in your will. Without that, a judge will decide who raises them—and it might not be the person you would have chosen.
Additionally, leaving money directly to a minor isn’t allowed. Instead, a trust can hold and manage those funds until your children are old enough to handle them wisely.
Avoid Probate and Protect Privacy
Even though Utah offers a relatively streamlined probate process, it still involves court oversight, delays, and public filings. By creating and funding a living trust, you can often avoid probate entirely, giving your family faster access and greater privacy.
Titling assets correctly—such as real estate, bank accounts, and investment accounts—into your trust is essential for it to work as intended.
Keep It Current
Life changes—and so should your plan. Whether you’ve remarried, had a child or grandchild, bought a new home, or started a business, your estate plan needs to reflect your current wishes and situation.
I recommend reviewing your plan every few years or after any major life event. Laws also evolve, so updates may be needed even if nothing in your personal life has changed.
Leave a Legacy of More Than Money
Your legacy includes more than your assets. Consider writing a letter to your children, preserving your life stories, or passing on a favorite family recipe. These heartfelt touches won’t take the place of legal documents, but they will be cherished far beyond any inheritance.
Let’s Talk
At Perry & Perry, we help families throughout Cache Valley and beyond build legacy plans that protect what matters most. Whether you’re just getting started or updating an older plan, we’re here to guide you with care and clarity.
Give us a call at 435-881-5409, visit us at 14 W 100 N, Logan, UT, or contact us online at perryandperrylaw.com to schedule your consultation.
Because planning your legacy is a final act of love—and your family deserves nothing less.