Advertorial
Estate Planning Isn’t About Money — It’s About Making Sure Your Kids Still Talk to Each Other When You’re Gone
Sponsored by Alder Law Group, P.C.
Every week in Utah, families that once shared holidays and Sunday dinners find themselves divided — not by greed, but by grief, confusion, and lack of planning.
When their mother passed away, two brothers each thought they knew what she wanted. She had told them, separately, that the family home should “stay in the family.” But without anything written down, “staying in the family” meant different things to each of them. One wanted to keep it as a rental property. The other needed to sell it.
Eventually, they stopped speaking — all because no one had a clear written plan
“Love doesn’t replace legal clarity,” says estate planning attorney Jim Alder, who’s witnessed similar situations many times over his 23 years of practice.
“When people grieve, small misunderstandings can turn into permanent divides.”
The Real Threat Isn’t Probate — It’s Pain Between Your Kids
Most people think estate planning is about dividing money.
It’s not.
It’s about preventing division in your family.
Without a plan, your estate doesn’t just “go” to your kids
It goes to a system of courts and state laws that don’t know your family or what you would have wanted.
The result? Confusion, delays, and hurt feelings.
One child steps up to handle the details. Another feels left out.
Expenses come out of someone’s pocket and resentment builds.
“When there’s no clear plan, the government decides for you,” Alder explains. “The Utah probate code has a default plan for your family — and it’s rarely what anyone would have wanted.”
Why Good People Still Put This Off
Even the most responsible parents delay this conversation.
Jim hears the same reasons all the time:
“We don’t have enough to need a plan.”
“Our kids get along fine.”
“We’re too young to worry about that.”
“It feels uncomfortable to think about.”
The truth is, waiting often causes the problems people are trying to avoid.
“Even small estates can lead to big conflicts,” Alder says. “I’ve seen siblings argue over furniture, cars, or photo albums. It’s rarely about the item — it’s about what it represents.”
A good plan removes those emotional landmines before they go off.
The Plan That Keeps Families Together
A proper estate plan isn’t about complicated paperwork.
It’s about clear expectations and smooth transitions.
When you work with Jim Alder’s team, your plan will:
Avoid probate court — saving time, money, and emotional strain
Prevent misunderstandings by clearly outlining who handles what
Protect your home and savings from nursing-home costs through proper advance planning
Clarify who can make health and financial decisions if you can’t
Preserve family harmony by putting everything in writing before emotions take over
“When everyone knows exactly what’s supposed to happen,” Alder says, “there’s nothing left to fight about.”
Real Stories, Real Consequences
A Family Without a Trust
Jim often shares the story of Rebecca, whose father passed away with only a will. Because no trust was in place, the estate went through probate. The process took many months, cost significant legal fees, and caused tension among the siblings. A properly prepared trust could have avoided the delays, costs, and conflict.
The Widow Who Lost Access
Another client’s husband had managed the finances for decades. When he passed away, she learned that her name wasn’t on several key accounts. Without powers of attorney and a properly funded trust, even a spouse can lose temporary access to assets they helped build.
The Brothers Who Fought Over Their Mother’s House
Jim has seen cases where siblings spent years in legal disputes because there was no written plan. In one situation, a trust drafted in advance allowed another family to transition peacefully — no arguments, no court process. That’s the difference planning makes.
That’s the difference planning makes.
You Can’t Control Everything — But You Can Control This
You can’t prevent every hardship in life.
But you can prevent confusion, resentment, and heartache.
Estate planning is how you keep protecting your family — even after you’re gone.
Attorney Jim Alder offers private consultations to help Utah families create simple, conflict-free estate plans.
You’ll meet with Jim personally, in person or by Zoom, and leave with a clear roadmap for your loved ones.
“You don’t need to be rich,” Alder says. “You just need to care about what happens to your family.”
One Conversation Today Can Prevent Years of Family Conflict
Schedule a private consultation with estate planning attorney Jim Alder.
What to Expect in Your Consultation
When you meet with Jim Alder, you will:
Review your family situation and goals
Learn the difference between wills, trusts, and powers of attorney
Discover how to avoid probate and prevent family disputes
Receive a personalized plan outline before making decisions
“It’s not a legal lecture,” Alder says. “It’s a conversation about your family’s future.
We take the time to understand your situation and build a plan that actually works.
”Unlike firms that draft documents and move on, Jim’s team helps ensure your assets are properly coordinated with your plan — so it functions when your family needs it most.
You’ll leave with clarity, confidence, and a plan your whole family can trust.
No pressure. No obligation. Just peace of mind.
The Attorney Who Made Estate Planning About People, Not Paperwork
Jim Alder didn’t plan to become an estate-planning attorney.
He started by helping his mother set up her trust, discovered he enjoyed the work, and eventually bought a practice focused on personalized planning.
For more than 23 years, he has helped Utah families protect what matters most.
He has served as president of the Utah Alzheimer’s Association Board of Directors and on the State Alzheimer’s Task Force. He holds a J.D. and is rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer-review rating for attorneys.
“If we can preserve family relationships, we’ve succeeded,” Alder says. “I’ve seen what poor planning does to families — and my goal is to help them avoid that pain.”
Leave Peace, Not Problems
When the time comes, your family will remember two things: how much you loved them — and how clearly you planned for them.
Estate planning isn’t about who gets what. It’s about making sure your kids still talk to each other when you’re gone.
Sit down with attorney Jim Alder to create a plan that protects your family’s future — and their relationships.
Appointments available in Bountiful, Sugar House, or via Zoom.
The Real Threat Isn’t Probate — It’s Pain Between Your Kids
Most people think estate planning is about dividing money.
It’s not.
It’s about preventing division in your family.
Without a plan, your estate doesn’t just “go” to your kids. It goes to a system of courts and state laws that don’t know your family or what you would have wanted.
The result? Confusion, delays, and hurt feelings.
One child steps up to handle the details. Another feels left out. Expenses come out of someone’s pocket and resentment builds.
“When there’s no clear plan, the government decides for you,” Alder explains. “The Utah probate code has a default plan for your family — and it’s rarely what anyone would have wanted.”
Most people think estate planning is about dividing money.
It’s not.
It’s about preventing division in your family.
Without a plan, your estate doesn’t just “go” to your kids. It goes to a system of courts and state laws that don’t know your family or what you would have wanted.
The result? Confusion, delays, and hurt feelings.
One child steps up to handle the details. Another feels left out. Expenses come out of someone’s pocket and resentment builds.
“When there’s no clear plan, the government decides for you,” Alder explains. “The Utah probate code has a default plan for your family — and it’s rarely what anyone would have wanted.”
Even the most responsible parents delay this conversation.
Jim hears the same reasons all the time:
“We don’t have enough to need a plan.”
“Our kids get along fine.”
“We’re too young to worry about that.”
“It feels uncomfortable to think about.”
The truth is, waiting often causes the problems people are trying to avoid.
“Even small estates can lead to big conflicts,” Alder says. “I’ve seen siblings argue over furniture, cars, or photo albums. It’s rarely about the item — it’s about what it represents.”
A good plan removes those emotional landmines before they go off.
The Plan That Keeps Families Together
A proper estate plan isn’t about complicated paperwork.
It’s about clear expectations and smooth transitions.
When you work with Jim Alder’s team, your plan will:
Avoid probate court — saving time, money, and emotional strain
Prevent misunderstandings by clearly outlining who handles what
Protect your home and savings from nursing-home costs through proper advance planning
Clarify who can make health and financial decisions if you can’t
Preserve family harmony by putting everything in writing before emotions take over
“When everyone knows exactly what’s supposed to happen,” Alder says, “there’s nothing left to fight about.”
2025 Alder Law Group, P.C. Bountiful & Sugar House | (385) 396-4264
Helping Utah families plan with clarity and compassion for over 20 years.
Privacy Policy | Disclaimer