Estate Planning Attorney in Utah County

12 Years of Estate Planning Experience. Flat-Rate Pricing. Bilingual Service in English & Mandarin.

Planning what happens to your family, your home, and your business isn’t easy, but it’s one of the most important steps you can take. A clear estate plan gives your loved ones direction, reduces the chance of conflict, and can help them avoid unnecessary stress at an already difficult time. At Gibson Law Firm, Attorney Lance D. Gibson brings more than 12 years of experience in estate planning and business law to clients throughout Utah County, building plans that reflect how you actually live, what you own, and who depends on you.

Many clients come to us after a major life change: a new child, a home purchase, a growing business, or the realization that aging parents need a plan in place. Others simply know it’s time to get organized. Whatever brings you here, we work from our Lehi office and can travel to meet you at your home or business when needed.

Call Gibson Law Firm at (877) 540-4416 to schedule your free estate planning consultation in person, by phone, or virtually.

Why Utah County Clients Choose Gibson Law Firm

Finding the right estate planning lawyer means finding someone who listens carefully, understands your full picture, and builds a plan that actually fits. At Gibson Law Firm, we take time to learn what matters most to you before we recommend anything.

We build fully customized plans, not templates. For some clients, that means a straightforward will, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. For others, it means one or more trusts, asset protection planning, and coordination with business ownership. The goal is a coherent plan where every document supports the others.

We offer flat-rate pricing for most estate planning matters and a free initial consultation, so you know what to expect before committing. Cost is a real concern for people considering an estate attorney, and this approach lets you focus on the quality of your plan rather than hourly billing surprises.

Attorney Lance D. Gibson speaks both English and Mandarin, which allows us to serve Mandarin-speaking clients and their families more effectively. Being able to discuss sensitive estate planning topics in a preferred language reduces the risk of misunderstanding and makes difficult conversations easier to have.

We also understand that schedules and mobility can be challenging. Beyond our Lehi office, we can travel to your home or business when needed. We use advanced legal technology for secure document sharing, efficient communication, and electronic signatures where appropriate, so your plan keeps moving without unnecessary delays.

Our Estate Planning Process, Step by Step

Uncertainty about what working with an estate attorney actually looks like is one of the main reasons people put it off. Here’s what to expect when you work with us.

Free Initial Consultation

We start with a free initial consultation covering your family, assets, business interests, and goals. You can ask questions about Utah estate planning, probate, and how tools like wills or trusts might apply to your situation. By the end of the meeting, you’ll have a clearer picture of what kind of plan makes sense and what it may cost.

Information Gathering & Goal Setting

If you decide to move forward, we gather the details needed to design your plan: real estate, bank and investment accounts, retirement plans, life insurance, and business ownership. We also discuss guardians for minor children, the people you’d trust to make financial or medical decisions on your behalf, and any charitable or legacy goals you have in mind.

Design, Review, & Signing

We prepare draft documents and walk through each one with you in plain language, explaining how it works and how it connects to the rest of the plan. You have every opportunity to ask questions and request changes before anything is finalized.

Once you’re comfortable with the plan, we schedule a signing meeting and make sure all documents are executed correctly under Utah law. We can also advise on storing originals and sharing information with key people such as executors, trustees, or agents. As your life changes, we’re available to update your documents so the plan continues to reflect your circumstances and wishes.

Key Estate Planning Tools We Use to Protect Your Legacy

Every family and business owner has a different mix of assets, relationships, and goals. The right plan draws on the tools that fit your situation, not generic forms that may miss Utah-specific requirements.

Wills & Guardianship Decisions

Most estate plans start with a will. It directs how certain assets pass at your death, names an executor to handle your estate, and is typically where you name guardians for minor children, one of the most consequential decisions a parent can make.

Trusts & Probate Avoidance

Many clients also benefit from one or more trusts. A revocable living trust can help your estate avoid or reduce formal probate for assets held in the trust and provides clearer instructions for how those assets should be managed and distributed. Trusts can also address blended family situations, special needs planning, and long-term wealth management. One important point: a trust only controls assets actually transferred into it. Assets left outside may still pass through probate, which is why we review trust funding as part of every plan that includes one.

Incapacity Planning

Planning only for death leaves a significant gap if you become incapacitated due to illness or injury. That’s why most plans include financial powers of attorney and healthcare directives. A financial power of attorney authorizes someone you trust to handle financial matters if you can’t. Healthcare directives and medical powers of attorney address medical treatment and end-of-life care decisions according to your values. We also address digital assets, such as online accounts and stored data, so a trusted person has the authority to manage those accounts when you can’t.

Beneficiary Designations

Retirement accounts and life insurance policies pass assets directly to named beneficiaries, outside your will entirely. Outdated or mismatched designations can quietly undermine an otherwise well-designed plan. We review these alongside your other documents to help align everything in the same direction.

Business Succession Considerations

If you own a business, additional tools come into play, including succession planning provisions and key employee planning. We review your business structure alongside your personal estate plan so the two support each other. Attorney Gibson also has experience handling high-net-worth estates where business interests represent a significant share of the overall picture.

What Utah County Estate Law Means for Your Plan

Estate planning is shaped by state law, and Utah’s rules aren’t identical to those elsewhere. Working with an estate attorney Utah County residents can meet with locally means your plan is built with those rules in mind from the start.

Utah’s intestacy laws govern how property passes when someone dies without a will. The default distribution may not match your wishes at all, particularly in blended families or when you want specific assets to go to certain people or charities. A well-drafted plan lets you decide, rather than leaving that to a statute.

How Utah Probate Works

Utah probate is governed by the Utah Uniform Probate Code (Title 75). When probate is necessary, estates involving property in Utah County are handled through the Fourth District Court, with Provo serving as the primary courthouse for most Utah County residents. That court offers two tracks: informal probate, which doesn’t require a hearing when parties agree, and formal probate, which requires a court hearing and is used when disputes arise or the estate is contested. Clear, properly executed documents generally make it easier for a personal representative and family to work with the Fourth District Court and can help reduce delays and disagreements, though each case is different and outcomes vary.

Utah Estate Tax & Federal Exposure

Utah doesn’t have a state estate tax. Federal estate tax may still apply to larger estates, and proper planning can address that exposure. We take this into account when designing plans for clients whose total estate values make federal thresholds a practical concern.

Patterns We See Among Utah County Clients

Many of our clients are small business owners in and around Lehi, or they hold real estate in more than one Utah community. Others have family members spread across the state or the country. As an estate lawyer serving Utah County, Attorney Gibson designs plans that account for each client’s family structure and the way they actually live and work, not a generic framework dropped on top of a unique situation.

Estate Planning Support for Business Owners

For business owners, estate planning and business planning can’t be treated separately. Your company may be one of your largest assets and a primary source of income for your family. Without a coordinated plan, ownership and management of the business can become unclear or contested after an owner’s death or incapacity, leading to operational disruption, financial strain, and conflict among partners or key employees.

Attorney Gibson handles both estate planning and business law, which means we can review your operating agreements, ownership interests, and succession goals alongside your personal will, trusts, and powers of attorney. We work through questions such as who should own and control the business after you, how to treat active and non-active family members fairly, and whether key employees should have an opportunity to buy in. Then we can make sure your estate documents and business documents support those decisions together.

Because understanding your operation matters, we can meet at your office or facility when that context is helpful. Seeing how the business works day to day often gives us practical insight that can shape succession and continuity options for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Really Need an Attorney to Create an Estate Plan?

Working with an attorney isn’t legally required, but it’s often a reliable way to help make sure your plan works under Utah law. Online forms and generic templates rarely account for the specifics of your assets, family structure, or business interests, and they may not comply fully with state requirements. When you work with us, we take time to understand your situation and explain how different options affect your family, so you can avoid common mistakes that lead to disputes or unexpected outcomes later.

How Much Does an Estate Plan Cost With Your Firm?

We use flat-rate pricing for most estate planning matters, so you know the cost before you decide to move forward. The exact fee depends on the complexity of your situation and the documents your plan will include. During your free initial consultation, we outline recommended options and provide a clear quote so you can evaluate both the scope and the cost without worrying about hourly billing surprises.

How Long Will It Take to Complete My Estate Plan?

Most clients move from initial consultation to signed documents within several weeks, though timing depends on how quickly information is gathered and how complex the plan is. Straightforward plans with prompt communication can move relatively quickly. Plans involving multiple trusts or business entities take longer to design and review. Throughout the process, we use technology and clear communication to keep things moving and to keep your focus on decisions rather than logistics.

Can You Help If I Prefer to Speak Mandarin?

Yes. Attorney Lance D. Gibson speaks both English and Mandarin, and we regularly work with clients who prefer to discuss legal topics in Mandarin. Communicating in your preferred language makes it easier to ask questions and understand each part of your plan. We can also include family members in meetings when appropriate, so everyone involved hears the same information in a language they understand.

What Documents Will My Estate Plan Include?

Your plan can include the documents that best match your goals, which commonly means a combination of a will, one or more trusts, financial powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Some clients benefit from additional tools such as specialized trusts or business succession agreements, particularly if they own a company or have complex family needs. During our planning discussions, we explain what each document does and why it may be useful in your situation, then build a coordinated set of documents rather than a collection of unrelated pieces.

How Often Should I Review or Update My Estate Plan?

We generally recommend reviewing your estate plan every few years, or sooner after a major life change. Marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, significant asset changes, or starting or selling a business can all affect your plan. When those events occur, it’s worth meeting with an estate planning lawyer Utah County clients trust to confirm your documents still reflect your wishes. We make the update process straightforward, focusing on the parts that need adjustment rather than rewriting everything from the ground up.

Can You Coordinate My Personal Estate Plan With My Business?

We regularly help business owners align their personal estate planning with their business structures and goals, including reviewing operating agreements, ownership interests, and existing succession provisions. Addressing these issues together reduces the risk of conflict or disruption later and can support a smoother transition for both your family and your company.

Schedule Your Free Estate Planning Consultation

Taking the first step toward a complete estate plan can feel daunting, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. When you meet with Gibson Law Firm, you’ll be able to talk through your questions with an experienced estate lawyer, learn how Utah law affects your situation, and explore options tailored to your family and business. We offer free initial consultations available in person, by phone, or virtually; flat-rate pricing for most estate planning matters; bilingual English and Mandarin service; and flexible meeting options including travel to your home or business when needed.

To schedule your free estate planning consultation, call (877) 540-4416 or contact us online. Gibson Law Firm serves individuals, families, and business owners throughout Utah County.