Legacy Lawyers

Voyant Legal, Mike Haslam, Nathan Croxford

We talk about the juicy details of cases that our law firm has dealt with. (Of course changing the names and details to protect attorney client privilege) Without using lawyer talk and legalese, we dive into what options our clients were faced with to fix their situation.

  1. 6d ago

    6 Legal Ways to Reduce Your Taxes (That Most People Don't Know About) [Ep. 134]

    Selling a highly appreciated business, property, or investment usually means writing a big check to the IRS — but the tax code offers legitimate ways to reduce or eliminate that bill. Most people either don't know these strategies exist, or assume they're only for the ultra-wealthy. In this episode, Michael Haslam and Nathan Croxford break down six legal levers for reducing your taxes — from structuring a sale so it's never a taxable event, to deferring gains for decades, to shifting income to family members in a lower bracket. They cover who each strategy actually helps (business owners selling to family, real estate investors, high income earners, anyone sitting on an appreciated asset), why a properly structured trust can turn a taxable sale into a non-event, and why any strategy — no matter how good it sounds — needs to be vetted by a real tax attorney before you use it. Key Takeaways: The Non-Taxable Sale: How selling a business to a properly structured trust for your kids — instead of directly to them — can eliminate the taxable event entirely.The 1031 Exchange: How real estate investors defer capital gains taxes indefinitely by swapping properties, and why holding until death can erase the deferred gain for good through stepped-up basis.Deductions vs. Credits: Why a tax credit saves you a dollar-for-dollar amount while a deduction only saves you your tax rate — and how a cost segregation study can turn a $1M building purchase into a $300,000 deduction.Changing Your Tax Category: Why capital gains rates beat ordinary income rates for high earners, and how an S Corp structure eliminates self-employment tax on profit distributions. Michael Haslam and Nathan Croxford are practicing attorneys at Voyant Legal in Utah. This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Visit voyantlegal.com or call 801.951.0500.

    42 min

  2. Jun 12

    The Utah Domestic Asset Protection Trust: A Tool Most States Don't Have [Ep. 133]

    Most people assume asset protection is for the ultra-wealthy — offshore trusts, Cayman Islands, $50,000 to set up. It's not. And for Utah residents, there's a tool right at home that delivers the same core protection at a fraction of the cost. In this episode, Nathan Croxford and Brian Edwards break down the Utah Domestic Asset Protection Trust — what it is, how it works, and why fewer than half of U.S. states even offer it. They cover who it's actually built for (small business owners, landlords, professionals with liability exposure), how the distribution trustee structure is what makes creditor protection legally bulletproof, and why the window to set one up closes the moment a lawsuit begins. Key Takeaways: The Offshore Alternative: How a Utah DAPT delivers comparable protection to an offshore trust at a fraction of the setup cost — with no foreign trustee fees or IRS international filings.The Distribution Trustee: Why separating distribution authority from trust management is the legal mechanism that keeps creditors out — and what happens if you skip it.The Seasoning Period: Utah's two-year clock for existing creditors, how it can be shortened to 120 days, and why future creditors are protected from day one.What You Actually Keep: The investment control, veto powers, and flexibility that make an irrevocable trust far less restrictive than most people expect. Nathan Croxford and Brian Edwards are practicing attorneys at Voyant Legal in Utah. This episode is for educational purposes only. Visit voyantlegal.com or call 801.951.0500. 

    49 min

  3. May 29

    How to Fund a Living Trust in Utah (Step-by-Step) [Ep. 132]

    A living trust that was never funded doesn't avoid probate — it just delays it. Most Utah families who go through probate anyway had a trust sitting in a filing cabinet the whole time. The document isn't the plan. The funding is. In this episode, Nathan Croxford and Taylor Stone walk through exactly why 7 out of 10 living trusts fail at the worst possible moment, and give you a step-by-step checklist to make sure yours actually works. Key Takeaways: The Attorney-Client Gap: Why most trusts go unfunded — and why both sides assume the other one handled it.Asset-by-Asset Funding: What proper funding looks like for real property, bank accounts, retirement accounts, life insurance, vehicles, and business interests under Utah law.The Retirement Account Exception: Why retitling your IRA into a trust triggers immediate income tax on the entire balance — and what to do instead.The Refinancing Trap: How a routine mortgage refinance silently removes your home from your trust — and how to make sure it gets put back.

    40 min

  4. May 15

    Blended Family Estate Planning: Protecting Spouse & Kids [Ep. 131]

    Leaving everything to your spouse and "trusting them to do right by your kids" isn't a plan—it's a wish. In a blended family, a standard will is a ticking time bomb. Under Utah law, a surviving spouse who inherits outright has full legal ownership and can completely disinherit your biological children, intentionally or not. In this episode, Michael Haslam and Taylor Stone break down the exact tools needed to guarantee financial security for your spouse and protect your children's inheritance. Key Takeaways: The Remarriage Risk: How remarriage can automatically revoke your prior will under Utah Code § 75-2-301.The QTIP Trust: The single most important tool to provide lifetime income for a spouse while locking in the principal for your biological kids.Neutral Trustees: Why naming a spouse as sole trustee triggers family conflict.Three Real Scenarios: Walkthroughs of classic failures involving remarriage, stepchild friction, and special needs asset disqualification.

    36 min

  5. May 4

    Estate Planning When You Don't Have Kids: The Solo Ager Playbook [Ep. 130]

    Roughly 1 in 4 Americans over 50 has no children. That translates to 22 million adults aged 60+ living alone without a traditional family support system—the highest rate in the world. Despite these numbers, the estate planning industry remains stuck in the past. Nearly every YouTube case study, law firm FAQ, and resource guide assumes you have children ready to step in. For Solo Agers—including never-married professionals, divorcees, widows, and those who simply chose not to have children—the standard playbook is broken. Redefining the Four Essential QuestionsWhen "my kids" isn't an option, the four pillars of an estate plan require entirely different strategies: Financial Management: Who oversees my assets if I cannot?Medical Advocacy: Who makes life-and-death healthcare decisions?Trustee Succession: Who ensures my final wishes are honored?Final Arrangements: Who manages my legacy and funeral?In this episode, we’re throwing out the generic templates and building a playbook from scratch specifically for Utah’s Solo Agers. Whether you are looking toward professional fiduciaries or trusted friends, it’s time to create a plan that reflects your actual life.

    32 min

  6. Apr 17

    Your Trust Is Set Up. But Is Your Home Still Insured? [Ep. 129]

    A family wakes up to smoke filling their home. They escape safely. The fire department saves part of the structure. They file an insurance claim expecting help rebuilding. Then the surprise: only their personal belongings are covered. The house itself is denied. Why? The home had been transferred into a trust, but the trust was never added to the insurance policy. The insurer argues the named individual no longer has an insurable interest in the structure, leaving the family caught in a technical gap with massive financial consequences. This happens more often than people think. After the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, more than 37,000 claims were filed, and trust and insurance mismatches became one of the most common dispute triggers. The trust was set up correctly. The deed was transferred. One simple step was missed: updating the insurance policy. In this episode, Nathan and Brian break down: • How this coverage gap happens • Why transferring your home to a trust can create unintended risk • What insurance companies look for when evaluating claims • The simple fix that can prevent a catastrophic denial • What to check today if your home is in a trust If your home is in a trust or you’re considering one, this is a must-watch.

    27 min

  7. Mar 20

    A Family Office: Coordinate Your Legal, Tax, and Financial Decisions in One Place [Ep. 128]

    In this episode, Michael Haslam and Brian Edwards discuss why your legacy deserves the same level of professional coordination as a successful business or a championship sports team. For too long, families have suffered from a "fragmented team" approach, where CPAs, attorneys, and financial advisors operate in silos, leading to missed opportunities and millions in overpaid taxes. Michael and Brian explain that the family office model is no longer only for the ultra-wealthy; by combining all of your tax and financial information under one roof, you ensure every professional is working from the same playbook. That’s why we introduced the Legacy Office—a strategy that has been very successful with our clients by providing the high-level synergy and CEO-style oversight needed to protect and grow a lasting legacy.

    31 min

  8. Mar 7

    New Federal Reporting Rule for Real Estate? What You Need to Know [Ep. 127]

    A new federal reporting rule is changing how some real estate transactions are reported to the government. But what does it actually mean for homeowners and estate planning? In this episode of the Legacy Lawyers Podcast, we break down FinCEN’s new real estate reporting requirements, why the rule exists, and which property transfers are typically exempt. We also explain how real estate owned through entities like LLCs may be treated differently. If you own property or are planning your estate, this episode will help you understand what to know moving forward.

    38 min
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About

We talk about the juicy details of cases that our law firm has dealt with. (Of course changing the names and details to protect attorney client privilege) Without using lawyer talk and legalese, we dive into what options our clients were faced with to fix their situation.

Information

  • Creator
    Voyant Legal, Mike Haslam, Nathan Croxford
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    134
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Voyant Legal, Mike Haslam, Nathan Croxford
  • Show Website
    Legacy Lawyers