Voyant Legal

05/29/2026

You have a living trust. But is it actually funded?

Most people don't know the difference — and it's costing Utah families an average of $22,000 and 14 months in probate court, even when a trust is sitting in their filing cabinet.

In Episode 132 of Legacy Lawyers, Nathan and Taylor walk through why 7 out of 10 trusts fail, what funding actually looks like for every asset class, and leave you with a checklist you can act on today.

Worth a listen if you have a trust — or have been meaning to set one up. Also available on Apple Podcasts.

You paid for a living trust. You signed the documents. You put the ...

05/26/2026

Here's the clearest way we've ever heard estate planning explained:

The kids own the orchard. The surviving spouse gets the income from the apples. When she passes, the kids inherit everything.

One trust. Everyone taken care of. No conflict.

What if you could take care of your spouse and protect your kids' i...

05/18/2026

Think your "normal" marriage is safe from blended family drama? Press pause. 🛑

In our latest podcast episode, Mike reveals a massive blind spot: If you pass away and your surviving spouse remarries down the road, your estate instantly becomes a blended family problem.

Without the right legal protections today, the wealth you built for your children could easily end up in the hands of a future spouse's family.

Don't leave your legacy to chance.

Think "blended family" rules don't apply to your first marriage? Hit the pause button. ⏸️In this clip from the latest episode, Mike explains a massive blind ...

05/15/2026

Blended families make up over 40% of U.S. households, yet most couples rely on a "standard" estate plan that leaves their biological kids completely unprotected. ⚠️

If you leave your estate to your spouse outright and assume they will "do the right thing" by your kids from a prior marriage, you are relying on a hope, not a plan. Under Utah law, a surviving spouse who inherits outright has full authority to change their will, spend the funds, or leave everything to a new partner.

In Episode 131 of the Legacy Lawyers Podcast, we reveal how to eliminate the guesswork:
✅ The Orchard Strategy: Learn how a Survivor's Trust provides lifetime income (the apples) to your spouse, while legally locking in the principal (the orchard) for your children.
✅ The Prenup Safeguard: How to make the trust the "bad guy" by requiring a prenuptial agreement if your surviving spouse remarries.
✅ The Trustee Trap: Why naming a spouse or a biological child as sole trustee creates a toxic conflict of interest at Thanksgiving dinner.
✅ Government Benefit Protection: How to ensure an inheritance doesn't accidentally strip a disabled child of state Medicaid or Social Security benefits.

Stop leaving your legacy to chance.

If you are remarried with children from a prior relationship, leaving everything to your spouse outright is a massive risk. Once assets pass to a surviving s...

05/13/2026

Don’t let "burden-guilt" stall your estate plan. 🛡️

If you're a solo ager, choosing a Power of Attorney or Trustee can feel like a big ask. But remember:

Compensation: You can pay them for their time.

Flexibility: It’s a voluntary role, not a life sentence.

Make it a professional arrangement, not a favor.

05/11/2026

New on the Blog: Second Marriage Estate Planning in Utah 🏔️

Blended families are beautiful, but their legal needs are complex. If you’re in a second marriage, "standard" estate planning can lead to unintended consequences for your kids or your spouse.

Don't leave your legacy to chance. Learn how to create a plan that honors every branch of your family tree. 🌳

05/06/2026

How do you choose a successor without the guilt? Strip away the emotion. 🤝

In our latest episode, Nathan Croxford shares why selecting the right person for your trust or power of attorney should be based on skill set and temperament, not history or "feelings." 🎯

Don't pick the person you're "supposed" to pick—pick the person who will get the job done. 🛡️

05/04/2026

Did you know 27% of US adults over 60 are "Solo Agers"? 🏡

That’s 22 million people living alone and childless—the highest concentration in the world. Without a traditional "next of kin," your estate plan becomes your voice.

Don't leave your future to chance. Let’s build a plan that works for you. 📝✨

05/01/2026

What happens to your life, your money, and your decisions… if there’s no one to step in?

About 1 in 4 Americans over 50 doesn’t have children — yet most estate planning advice assumes you do.

That creates a serious gap.

If something happens to you and no plan is in place, a court could appoint a complete stranger to make decisions on your behalf.

In our latest episode, we break down how solo agers can build a complete estate plan from scratch — including:
✔ Who manages your finances
✔ Who makes medical decisions
✔ What happens in a hospital emergency
✔ How to avoid court involvement
✔ The role of professional fiduciaries

This is one of the most overlooked — and important — areas of estate planning.

Estate Planning When You Don't Have Kids: The Solo-Ager Playbook [Ep. 130]

04/22/2026

DON’T LET A PAPERWORK ERROR COST YOU YOUR HOME. 🏠

If you moved your house into a Trust, your insurance policy is likely out of date.

Insurance companies are now auditing deeds during major disasters. If the deed says "The Trust" but the policy says "Your Name," they can deny your claim entirely for lack of "insurable interest."

They’ll refund your premiums, but they won't rebuild your house.

The Fix: Call your agent today. Ask to add your trust as an "Additional Named Insured."