Love and Legal Planning: What Estate Planning Can Teach Us About Relationships

When you think about estate planning, the first things that come to mind are wills, trusts, and maybe some paperwork you'd rather not deal with. But beneath the legal jargon, estate planning is about: love, trust, and how families work together.
attorney meeting with client at desk

Whether you’re raising kids in Salt Lake City, running a family business in Provo, or caring for aging parents in St. George, estate planning offers lessons that go far beyond the legal side. It’s really about the health of relationships and the strength of long-term thinking.

Communication: Say It Now, Not Later

Estate planning forces conversations that many families avoid. Who will make decisions if you can’t? What happens to the family home? How do you want your legacy to look?

These are hard questions—but having the conversation now saves heartache later. Families that communicate clearly about expectations and values are less likely to end up in conflict. In relationships, too, silence can be costly. Whether it’s about money, medical decisions, or inheritance, speaking openly (even when it’s uncomfortable) is an act of love. It shows you care enough to be honest.

Trust: It’s More Than a Document

A trust is a legal tool—but trust in a relationship is built over time. Estate planning depends on knowing who you can count on. Who will follow through with your wishes? Who is responsible, thoughtful, and grounded?

Choosing a trustee or healthcare proxy isn’t just a technical decision; it’s a deeply personal one. It reveals who you trust with your future and your family’s well-being. In the same way, healthy families build trust by being dependable, showing up, and doing what they say they’ll do. Legal trust and emotional trust go hand in hand.

Long-Term Thinking: Plan for More Than the Present

Utahns are known for planning ahead—whether it’s food storage, family reunions, or retirement. Estate planning is another way of thinking long-term. It asks: What kind of life do we want for our kids? What values matter most? How can we protect each other, even when we’re gone?

Relationships thrive when people take the long view. That means preparing for both the expected and the unknown. It means creating a future where your loved ones are cared for, not just financially but emotionally. Families that plan together stay stronger in the face of loss or change.

Bringing It All Together

Estate planning might seem like a chore, but it’s really a kind of love letter to your family. It says: I’m thinking ahead. I trust you. I care enough to make things easier for you, even when I’m not around.

For Utah families—whether you’re just starting out or guiding multiple generations—it’s never too early (or too late) to start these conversations. Talk about what matters. Build trust. Think long-term. Estate planning isn’t just about your assets—it’s about your relationships.

Originally Published: May 1, 2025

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