Property that is held in a revocable trust will avoid probate. However, it is not sufficient to just have a revocable trust. The deceased person's property must be held in it when she dies. Once a person signs a revocable trust, she should immediately transfer her property to the trust.
In Utah, you can make a living trust to avoid probate for virtually any asset you own—real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, and so on. You need to create a trust document (similar to a will), naming someone to take over as trustee after your death (called a "successor trustee").
The case must be filed within three years of the date of the decedent's death. If it has been more than three years since the decedent's death, parties will need to follow a different process for a determination of heirs, and should contact a probate attorney for help.
Descendants can be children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren. Your spouse will inherit all of your intestate property if you die without descendants, or if all surviving descendants are from you and your surviving spouse. If you have a spouse and no descendants, your spouse will inherit everything.
A small estate affidavit is a probate alternative that can be used when decedent's probate property is less than $100,000 and does not include any real property (such as a home or land). The decedent's successor can collect the decedent's property using the affidavit, including bank accounts and insurance policies.
A small estate affidavit is not filed with the court. Instead, the decedent's successor fills out the form, signs it in front of a notary, and gives it to any third parties, such as the bank.
Who may file. Anyone may file a probate case. To be appointed the personal representative, an applicant must be at least 21 years old.
A small estate affidavit is not filed with the court. Instead, the decedent's successor fills out the form, signs it in front of a notary, and gives it to any third parties, such as the bank.
You cannot avoid probate with only a will because wills cannot transfer property. This means if you have assets you want to pass to loved ones, it isn't covered in the will and a probate matter still has to be opened.