Skip to main content
SimplyTrust
SimplyTrust
Create a TrustNewForms & ToolsFreeResourcesStates
LoginGet started
Company
AboutCareersContactFormsCreate a TrustNew
Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSecurityAI Access

© 2026 SimplyTrust Software Inc.

SimplyTrust Logo

Every family deserves a plan. We'll help.

Get startedApp StoreGoogle Play

Forms

  • Revocable Trust
  • Last Will
  • Pour-Over Will
  • Healthcare Proxy
  • Financial POA
  • Transfer on Death Deed

Tools

  • Trust vs Will
  • Probate Calculator
  • Who Inherits
  • Estate Settlement
  • Death Tax Calculator
  • Life Insurance

Learn

  • Revocable Living Trusts
  • Last Will and Testaments
  • Articles
  • State Guides
  • Estate Law
  • Life Events

Directories

  • Law Firms
  • Financial Assets
  • Digital Assets
  • Government Agencies

Company

  • About
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Create a Trust

SimplyTrust is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, legal counsel, or attorney review. Information on this platform is for general informational purposes only. Use of SimplyTrust does not create an attorney-client relationship. You are solely responsible for all documents you create. For advice tailored to your circumstances, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

© 2026 SimplyTrust Software Inc. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy·Terms of Service·Security··AI Access

All content, data, and calculations are proprietary. Automated scraping, systematic downloading, or data extraction is prohibited under our Terms of Service. Product visuals are simulated for illustrative purposes and may differ from actual experience. Logos provided by Logo.dev.

A will is a wish. A trust is a plan.

Create and manage your trust online.

How it works

No probate. No public record. No court.

Estate Ledger

Every decision signed, timestamped, and hashed

Pricing

Simple, transparent pricing

Download

Get the app on iOS and Android

Home→Tools→Beneficiary Designation Checker→Utah

Are Beneficiary Designations Protected in Utah?

Check how divorce, creditors, and state laws affect your life insurance, retirement accounts, and other beneficiary designations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Beneficiary designations on life insurance, retirement accounts, POD bank accounts, and TOD brokerage accounts determine who receives those assets at death.Utah Code § 75-2-803; § 75-2-804; § 31A-22-413; § 78B-5-505(1)(n), (2)(a)–(b); § 75-6-301 et seq.; § 75-6-401 et seq.Verified May 27, 2026 These designations override the terms of a will or trust. Outdated designations remain in effect regardless of other estate planning documents.

Yes. Utah automatically revokes an ex-spouse as beneficiary upon divorce for the following asset types: life insurance, retirement accounts, pod accounts, tod accounts, annuities.Utah Code § 75-2-803; § 75-2-804; § 31A-22-413; § 78B-5-505(1)(n), (2)(a)–(b); § 75-6-301 et seq.; § 75-6-401 et seq.Verified May 27, 2026 However, ERISA-governed employer plans such as 401(k)s and pensions are subject to federal law and must be updated manually regardless of state rules.

Yes. Utah provides full statutory protection for inherited IRAs from creditors.Utah Code § 75-2-803; § 75-2-804; § 31A-22-413; § 78B-5-505(1)(n), (2)(a)–(b); § 75-6-301 et seq.; § 75-6-401 et seq.Verified May 27, 2026 After the Supreme Court's Clark v. Rameker (2014) decision ruled inherited IRAs are not protected under federal bankruptcy law, state-level protections became the primary shield.

Yes. The federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) preempts state law for employer-sponsored plans such as 401(k)s, pensions, and group life insurance. Even if Utah automatically revokes an ex-spouse upon divorce, ERISA-governed plans follow the designation on file with the plan administrator. The Supreme Court confirmed this in Egelhoff v. Egelhoff (2001) and Kennedy v. Plan Administrator (2009).

When no valid beneficiary designation exists, the asset typically passes to the account holder's estate and is distributed through probate under Utah's intestacy laws. This can result in delays, additional costs, and the assets going to someone other than the intended recipient. See who inherits with the Utah inheritance calculator.

No. Utah does not default to per stirpes for beneficiary designations.Utah Code § 75-2-803; § 75-2-804; § 31A-22-413; § 78B-5-505(1)(n), (2)(a)–(b); § 75-6-301 et seq.; § 75-6-401 et seq.Verified May 27, 2026 If a named beneficiary dies before the account holder, the share typically lapses unless the designation explicitly includes per stirpes language or names contingent beneficiaries.

Beneficiary Rules in Utah

Utah automatically revokes an ex-spouse as beneficiary upon divorce (YesUtah Code § 75-2-804Verified May 27, 2026). This applies to state-governed assets such as life insurance and POD accounts, but not ERISA-governed employer plans. Automatic revocation does not extend to federally governed accounts.

Spousal consent for beneficiary designations in Utah is limited to ERISA-governed qualified plans under federal law. State-level consent requirements do not apply in non-community property states. Use the Utah inheritance calculator to see how assets without valid designations are distributed.

Inherited IRA creditor protection in Utah is Full creditor protectionUtah Code § 78B-5-505(1)(n), (2)(a)–(b)Verified May 27, 2026. Since the Supreme Court ruled in Clark v. Rameker (2014) that inherited IRAs are not protected under federal bankruptcy law, state statutes are the primary source of protection.

Utah's per stirpes default is No. Without contingent beneficiaries, a lapsed designation routes assets through probate. Estimate coverage needs with the Utah life insurance calculator.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated May 27, 2026

Legal Sources

  • Utah Code § 75-2-804
  • Utah Code § 78B-5-505(1)(n), (2)(a)–(b)

Data sourced from Utah statutes and official state code. How we research.

When you're ready, we're here.

A revocable living trust skips probate, stays private, and takes 15 minutes.

Get startedApp StoreGoogle Play

Utah Estate Planning Resources

In-depth guides covering Utah probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.

Select all that apply

This tool provides general information about state beneficiary designation laws. It does not constitute legal advice. ERISA-governed plans are subject to federal law which may differ from state law. Consult a licensed attorney for advice specific to your situation.Data verified 2026-05-27

SimplyTrust

Protect your beneficiaries

Is this your situation?

Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.

Divorce

Divorce

Your life is changing. Your documents should too. Beneficiary updates, trust replacement, POA revocations, and the steps to protect your independent future.

Learn more
Marriage

Marriage

Starting a life together means planning for it. Beneficiary updates, asset titling, powers of attorney, and what blended families need to know.

Learn more