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Obtaining Original Birth Certificates and Other Records After Adoption
By Chase B. Ames 801-365-1022 [email protected] In Utah, it is extremely difficult for an adoptee to obtain any records related to their birth or adoption—including the adoptee’s original birth certificate—because these records are sealed following an adoption. An adoptee will… Read More -
What You Can Do Now to Prevent Expensive Legal Battles Down the Road
Time is money, especially when it comes to the law. A primary reason is that in the majority of cases, attorneys are paid hourly. And additional legal experience an attorney brings to table is typically reflected in the rate. Combine… Read More -
Utah’s New Power of Attorney Act
The Utah legislature recently adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act (the “Act”). The Act became effective on May 10, 2016, and makes some significant changes to current Utah law. With its enactment, Utah joins 20 other U.S. States in… Read More -
New Power of Attorney Law Holds Promise and Risk
Powers of Attorney are powerful and potentially risky documents. A person signing a power of attorney (the “Principal”) is delegating certain authority listed in the power of attorney to another person (the “Agent”). Properly drafted, a power of attorney can… Read More -
Estate and Gift Taxes: How They Work
Many states have taxes designed to get in on the gifting of property during lifetime and at death. Not so in Utah. The Beehive State has no estate or gift tax. However, the federal estate and gift tax still applies… Read More -
Probate and Estate Litigation
Despite everyone’s best efforts, sometimes there is a disagreement over the decedent’s estate and final wishes. Sometimes these arguments are over personal property and sometimes over sentimental items. Other times, the issue is one of control and decision making. Still… Read More -
Advanced Health Care Directive: Preparing for End-of-Life Care
Medical science can keep a person alive almost indefinitely, even when their quality of life has severely deteriorated. For reasons both personal and financial, most opt out of prolonging life under such conditions, particularly when there is little-to-no hope for… Read More -
Paying for Long-term Care
Aging adults sometimes transfer their property outright to children in order to avoid using their life’s earnings on long-term medical care. My advice? Don’t do it. There are a myriad of pitfalls to this practice, including: Having to turn to… Read More -
Probate: Taking the Fear Out of the Future
Probate, simply put, is the process set up by the legislature and carried out by the court which provides for the transfer and management of the property of a deceased, incapacitated, or minor person. Unless appropriate planning is done in… Read More