Source: http://utahestateplanning.org/public/AbstractofUtahEstateandTrustLaw.aspx
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 05:58:00+00:00

Document:
The following are brief statements of Utah law on selected topics of interest to non-Utah lawyers. They are intended only as quick reference tools. Each topic is discussed in greater detail in the on-line treatise “The Utah Law of Trusts & Estates,” which also appears on this website. References to the applicable sections of the treatise are provided. Non-lawyers should not rely upon this information in making estate planning decisions, but should instead consult with their estate planning attorneys.
A Utah decedent has the ability to dispose of all property that is titled in his or her name at the time of death.
Utah is not a community property state. Utah does draw a distinction between marital property and separate property, but the distinction is relevant only for divorce. The distinction is not relevant for determining what property the decedent may dispose of at death. The one exception to this rule is that the distinction between marital and separate property is used in calculating the surviving spouse’s elective share. Utah Probate Code §75-2-201.
Real estate held by a married couple “as husband and wife” is deemed to be held in joint tenancy with right of survivorship. Real estate held by a married couple without such a designation is deemed to be held as tenants in common. Utah Code §57-1-5.
A bank account that is held in the name of a decedent and one or more other persons is a “joint account” under Utah Probate Code §75-6-101(4) and passes to the surviving owner or owners pursuant to §75-6-104(1), unless there is clear and convincing evidence of a different intention at the time the account is created. In general, it appears that the same rule applies to securities and brokerage accounts held in multiple names. §75-6-303.
If the decedent is survived by a spouse, and if all of the decedent’s descendants are also the surviving spouse’s descendants, the surviving spouse is entitled to all of the property that passes under the rules of intestacy. Utah Probate Code §75-2-102.
If the decedent is survived by a spouse, and if the decedent is survived by one or more descendants who are not the surviving spouse’s descendants, the surviving spouse is entitled to $75,000 plus one-half of the balance of the intestate property. Adjustments are made for non-probate transfers to the surviving spouse. §75-2-102.
Property not passing to a surviving spouse is distributed to the decedent’s descendants per capita at each generation. (See below for an explanation of the per capita at each generation method.) Adjustments are made for non-probate transfers to such heirs. §75-2-103.
The default method of distribution in Utah is the per capita at each generation method. This method applies where the decedent dies intestate. Utah Probate Code §75-2-103 and §75-2-106. It also applies where the will or trust directs distribution to a person’s issue or descendants but is silent as to the method of distribution to be applied. §75-2-708. Of course, where the will or trust specifies a different method of distribution, the will or trust governs. §75-2-709.
Under the per capita at each generation method of distribution, each living child receives one share, and one share is assigned to each deceased child who left surviving descendants. The shares assigned to deceased children are all aggregated and divided equally among their children. §75-2-106 and §75-2-709.
A will must be witnessed by two persons, each of whom must see the testator either sign the will, acknowledge her signature or acknowledge the will, and each of whom must sign the will as a witness within a reasonable period of time thereafter. Utah Probate Code 75-2-502. Utah has enacted a substantial compliance statute that focuses on the intent of the testator. §75-2-503.
Holographic wills need not be witnessed. §75-2-502.
There are no particular execution requirements for revocable trusts or irrevocable trusts.
Utah has no gift tax.
For a resident trust, the income tax rate is 5% of state taxable income. Utah Code §59-10-104. “Resident Trust” means either (a) a trust administered in Utah, or (b) a trust that received property on the death of a Utah resident. §59-10-103; §75-7-103. State taxable income is defined in §59-10-201.1.
For a non-resident trust, the income tax rate is 5% of Utah-source federal taxable income. §59-10-204; §59-10-205. Utah source income is defined in §59-10-117.
In Utah, property is reassessed yearly, or at the county’s discretion. Transfers are immaterial. Estate planning attorneys, therefore, generally need not be particularly concerned about property tax issues.

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