How Do I Name a Guardian for My Minor Children in Utah?
In Utah, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a will or a separate signed writingUtah Code §§ 75-5-202, 75-5-202.5, 75-5-203, 75-5-204Verified Sep 16, 2026View source, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 18Utah Code § 15-2-1Verified Sep 16, 2026View source.
In Utah, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a will or a separate signed writingUtah Code §§ 75-5-202, 75-5-202.5, 75-5-203, 75-5-204Verified Sep 16, 2026View source. It needs your signature, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 18Utah Code § 15-2-1Verified Sep 16, 2026View source. It can be recorded alongside the rest of an estate plan when you create a revocable living trust.
When a parent has named a guardian, the court appoints the guardian the parent named unless it finds that person unsuitableUtah Code §§ 75-5-202, 75-5-202.5, 75-5-203, 75-5-204Verified Sep 16, 2026View source. A backup guardian named in the same document applies if the first choice cannot serve.
Yes. Utah recognizes a separate signed declaration naming a guardian, so a full will is not required to make the nominationUtah Code §§ 75-5-202, 75-5-202.5, 75-5-203, 75-5-204Verified Sep 16, 2026View source, so a full will is not required; a will remains the standard place to do it.
Yes. Utah allows a Delegation of Powers by Parent (Power of Attorney), under which any adult can be authorized for a limited time (up to 6 months) without transferring custodyUtah Code § 75-5-103Verified Sep 16, 2026View source.
In Utah, a child 14 or older may choose their guardian, subject to the court's approvalUtah Code § 75-5-206(2)Verified Sep 16, 2026View source.
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New Baby or Adoption
Your family is growing. Your protection should too. Guardian nominations, trusts for minors, beneficiary updates, and the documents new parents need in place.
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Marriage
What married couples need in place: one joint trust or two, wills, beneficiary updates, and the spousal rights your state grants you automatically.
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New Home
How to put your house in a revocable trust: the deed you record, what it does to your mortgage and property taxes, and when a TOD deed is simpler.
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Retirement
Retirement changes your financial picture. Healthcare directives, beneficiary reviews, long-term care planning, and protecting what you've built.
Learn moreForms for Planning Your Estate in Utah
Free forms for planning your estate in Utah: a will, living trust, pour-over will, both powers of attorney, living will, and TOD deed.
Last Will and Testament
In Utah, a will is signed before 2Utah Code § 75-2-502Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyUtah Code § 75-2-502Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Utah requires 1Utah Code § 75A-9-110 (formerly § 75A-3-303)Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witness for a healthcare power of attorney; notarization is not requiredUtah Code § 75A-9-110 (formerly § 75A-3-303)Verified Oct 15, 2026View source.
Financial Power of Attorney
Utah treats a power of attorney as durable by defaultUtah Code § 75A-2-105Verified Sep 20, 2026View source, and it is signed before a notaryUtah Code § 75A-2-105Verified Sep 20, 2026View source.
Transfer on Death Deed
In Utah, a transfer on death deed is signed before a notaryUtah Code 75-6-401 to 75-6-419Verified Oct 19, 2026View source, then recorded with the county before the owner's deathUtah Code 75-6-401 to 75-6-419Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
Living Will
In Utah, the living will is the Advance Health Care DirectiveUtah Code Title 75A, Ch. 9 (Uniform Health Care Decisions Act), §§ 75A-9-101 to 75A-9-129 (S.B. 134, 2025 General Session, effective January 1, 2026)Verified Sep 27, 2026View source, a written instruction that is valid with no agent named.
Tools for Planning Your Estate in Utah
Free tools for planning your estate in Utah: what a will or trust costs, whether you need a trust or TOD deed, and how documents are signed.
How Much Does a Will Cost?
An attorney-prepared will in Utah runs $1,167Estimate: 3 hours at $389, Clio's Utah Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $2,334Estimate: 6 hours at $389, Clio's Utah Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $299 up front with an online service, and probate on a $500,000 estate adds about $27,719Utah Code § 75-3-718 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?
In Utah, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees of typically 2.2%Utah Code § 75-3-718 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.5%Utah Code § 75-3-718 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.
What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
An attorney-prepared revocable trust in Utah runs $3,580Estimate: 10 hours at $358, Clio's Utah Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $5,370Estimate: 15 hours at $358, Clio's Utah Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source and a simple will $1,167Estimate: 3 hours at $389, Clio's Utah Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $2,334Estimate: 6 hours at $389, Clio's Utah Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?
In Utah, four years at a public university cost about $64,120NCES Digest of Education Statistics 2023, Table 330.20, public 4-year in-state tuition, fees, room and board, academic year 2022-23Verified Oct 17, 2026View source and the cost of living is near the U.S. averageBEA Regional Price Parities, all items, by state, 2024Verified Oct 17, 2026View source; no state estate or inheritance tax appliesNo state estate, inheritance, or gift tax. Utah's pick-up inheritance tax (Utah Code Title 59, Chapter 11, Inheritance Tax Act) produced $0 for deaths after December 31, 2004 — it was measured by the IRC § 2011 state death tax credit, which EGTRRA phased out — and the entire chapter (§§ 59-11-101 through 59-11-115) was repealed outright effective May 6, 2026 by H.B. 77, 2026 General SessionVerified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?
Utah automatically revokes an ex-spouse as beneficiary at divorceUtah Code § 75-2-804Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; employer plans under ERISA follow federal rules either way, so a 401(k) beneficiary changes only by a new designation.
How Do I Sign Estate Documents?
Find witness, notary, and remote signing requirements for all 50 states.
Will My Estate Documents Transfer?
Check if estate planning documents signed in one state are valid in another.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Utah costs an estimated $27,719Utah Code § 75-3-718 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 2.2%Utah Code § 75-3-718 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.5%Utah Code § 75-3-718 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
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Utah Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Utah probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.