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James Preston Alder

Estate planning Attorney at Salt Lake City, UT

4.9   8 reviews

also known as James P. Alder, Jim Alder

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  • Licensed for 25 years
    State UT
    Acquired 1997
    Status
    Active No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

The Best!!!
Ivanka
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired Attorney
Estate planning & Trust EXPERT
JamieMichelle
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired Attorney
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About James

Learn James’s areas of practice.

5
Practice areas
  1. Estate planning
    35%
    General estate planning using revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, wills, powers of attorney, health care directives, etc.

    18 years

  2. Trusts
    35%
    Gun trusts, also known as NFA trusts, firearms trusts or Class III trusts, generally used for ownership of NFA weapons.

    18 years, 550 cases

  3. Elder law
    10%

    18 years

  4. Guardianship
    10%

    18 years

  5. Probate
    10%

    18 years

James P. (Jim) Alder was born and raised in Providence, Utah. He began his legal career in natural resources before transitioning to estate planning. Jim is a member of WealthCounsel, a national organization of estate planning attorneys dedicated to providing high quality and customized estate and business planning to clients.

Jim is also a member of the Utah State Bar's Estate Planning and Elder Law Sections and the Salt Lake Estate Planning Council. His law practice emphasizes wills and trusts, business law, probate and trust administration and related areas. Jim has served on the Utah State Alzheimer's Task Force and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer's Association Utah Chapter, which focuses on the advancement of Alzheimer's-related research and the provision and enhancement of care and support for those affected. Jim has also served on the Board of Directors for Camp Kostopulos, a Salt Lake City organization providing activities for special needs children.  He current servers as Legal Counsel for the NFA Freedom Alliance.

Jim brings a youthful exuberance to the practice of law, and offers a caring  approach to serving clients. He enjoys biking, climbing, golf, snowshoeing, hiking, spending time with his wife Ireland, and most of all, playing with his stepson Gavin. If he could find more time, Jim would love to travel (especially in Europe), ski more, get into cross-country skiing, or do any of the things listed above (play more with Gavin, in particular).

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Alder Law Group, P.C.
2159 S 700 E
Ste. 135
Salt Lake City, UT, 84106
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Reviews

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4.9 / 5.0
  8 customer reviews
5 Star
 
88%
4 Star
 
13%
3 Star
 
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Posted by Ivanka | August 26, 2022
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
The Best!!!
The Alder Law Group was highly recommended by a friend and that was the best referral ever! These trusts are complicated; I wanted mine done right and really needed the professional guidance to help me make good, informed choices. From my first interaction with Ireland, I felt in really good hands. Jim is extremely knowledgable, thorough, and patient — he explained everything in fine detail over an hour and a half. My peace of mind is important to me — this was worth every penny! We are thinking about setting up wills and some estate planning in the near future — we won’t be going anywhere else! I simply can’t recommend this group highly enough.
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Posted by JamieMichelle | October 18, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Estate planning & Trust EXPERT
Anyone looking for information or the right way to handle any type of Trust. This is the place to go. Very friendly helpful and efficient in getting what we needed in a short time. Definitely recommend The Alder’s for Estate Trusts, Gun Trusts and all the in’s & out’s to so many legal questions. Thank you for always guiding us in the Right direction.
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Posted by Daryl | December 16, 2015
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent experience setting up an NFA trust
I met with Jim Alder to setup an NFA trust in early December. I'm aware that for a *very* minor savings, you can set these up online, but for the small difference in price, Jim met with me for an hour, explained all the details of the trust, notarized my signature of it, answered questions that I had, provided me both a hard and electronic copy of the trust, provided additional information about filing ATF forms, and I have a trust backed by his firm and he is available to answer any questions and contact me in the future if laws/regulations change. To say that represents an incredible value is an understatement! Jim was very nice, down to earth, and demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of the rules and regulations pertaining to the NFA including potential changes being proposed to the existing laws. I'd highly recommend using him for NFA trusts. He may be equally adept with other forms of estate and trust planning, but that wasn't the purpose of my transaction, although I will certainly reach out to him about family trust planning in the future. Again, highly recommended.
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Posted by Alexandra | December 1, 2010
Peace of Mind
Jim helped us with our Will and related documents. He is a great lawyer. He is very professional, and knowledgeable. Besides getting things done in the most efficient and effective manner, he was always willing to answer our questions. We highly recommend his services; we were very satisfied with the whole experience.
Posted by Rand | November 30, 2010
Family Matters
Jim Alder has helped my family with Guardian, Conservator, and Probate matters for several years. He has always been very professional and personable in providing legal advice, assistance, and representation. Jim recently responded immediately to a couple of urgent situations. Both required further investigation and consultation on his part to give me the specific, individual advice I needed. His timely effort and service was greatly appreciated. I highly recommend him.
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Posted by anonymous | November 24, 2010
Excellent professionalism, outstanding service
Jim helped me set up my living trust and took the time to really listen to my concerns and address my needs. Jim was very professional and took time to create a trust that was specific to my circumstances. He continues to follow up with me to make sure that my trust remaines effective. Jim is a genuinely caring professional. His realistic approach is repectful and straightforward. He treated me with dignity and respect. I highly recommend him and his services.
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Posted by Dawn | November 12, 2010
Trustworthy, dependable, knowledgeable, and helpful estate planning help.
Jim helped me plan and complete my will. When I contacted Jim, he responded quickly to all of my questions. I feel like he helped me to make good decisions for my future. Jim was competent, precise, and trustworthy. Jim asked questions about me and my circumstances so that my will was completed exactly how I wanted it to be; I feel like if I pass away, there will be no questions about how my estate should be handled. More importantly, should I be in a position that I am unable to make decisions, my family will know how I want to be taken care of. When the process was complete, I had no remaining questions and felt completely at ease about my estate should something happen to me. I am confident that should something happen to me, my family, friends, and estate will be taken care of the way I want them to be taken care of. I am completely satisfied with the services that Jim provided for me.
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Posted by anonymous | July 16, 2010
client review
I found the lack of any defined billing a little disconcerting. There was no invoice to pay or receipt for payments. I also felt like the assistant failed to follow through on some paperwork issues but nothing major.
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Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 30 minutes
  • Hourly Rates $ 260-300 per hour
  • Retainer Sometimes
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 9.7 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Owner
  • Alder Law Group, P.C.
  • 2008 - Present
  • Attorney
  • James R. Baker, LC
  • 2005 - 2008
  • Associate Attorney
  • Clyde Snow Sessions & Swenson
  • 2001 - 2003
  • Legal Counsel
  • Western States Water Council
  • 1997 - 2001
View all work experience

Education

  • University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law
  • LL.M - Master of Laws
  • 2001
  • Brigham Young University - J. Reuben Clark Law School
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 1997
  • Utah State University
  • Bachelor of Arts
  • 1993

Legal Cases

  • Guardianship of a minor child
  • Guardianship awarded to client
  • Guardianship/Conservatorship and Trust Planning
  • Successful appointment and approval of trust
  • Probate/Trust Administration Contest
  • Successful replacement of the successor trustee and appointment of special administrator
View all legal cases

Associations

  • Kostopulos Dream Foundation
  • Board of Directors
  • 2012 - Present
  • Utah State Bar, Elder Law Section
  • Member
  • 2010 - Present
  • Alzheimer's Association Utah Chapter
  • President of the Board of Directors and Legal Counsel
  • 2009 - Present
  • WealthCounsel
  • Member
  • 2008 - Present
  • Utah State Bar, Estate Planning Section
  • Member
  • 2008 - Present
  • Salt Lake Estate Planning Council
  • Member
  • 2007 - Present
  • Best Buddies Utah
  • Advisory Board
  • 2011 - 2012
  • Utah State Alzheimer's Task Force
  • Task Force Member
  • 2011 - 2011
  • Utah State Bar, Elder Law Section
  • Board Member, CLE committee co-chair
  • 2010 - 2012
  • Intermountain Healthcare Foundation
  • Major Gifts Committee member
  • 2009 - 2010
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • German
  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Utah Legal Elite
  • Utah Business Magazine
  • 2011
  • Care Champion
  • Alzheimer's Association Utah Chapter
  • 2010
  • Best Family Law Attorneys and Law Firms in Salt Lake City
  • saltlakecity10.com
  • 2010

Publications

  • Federal Non-Indian Claims to Water
  • Federal Non-Indian Claims to Water
  • 1999
  • State Watershed Strategy Guidebook
  • State Watershed Strategy Guidebook
  • 1998

Speaking Engagements

  • Medicare Set-Aside Trusts
  • Avoiding Medicaid Disqualification and Maintaining An Ethical Practice
  • 2011
  • Wall Street Meets Main Street radio show
  • Estate Planning
  • 2011
  • Tenth East Senior Citizen Center luncheon
  • Top Ten Estate Planning Mistakes
  • 2010
  • Transformation Station business entity seminar
  • Business Entity Selection
  • 2010
  • Estate Planning for LGBT Couples
  • Benefits of Estate Planning
  • 2010
  • Wall Street Meets Main Street radio show
  • Estate Planning
  • 2010
  • Elder Law: Advanced Strategies and Techniques
  • Elder law issues and strategies
  • 2009
  • Estate Planning for LGBT Couples
  • Benefits of estate planning
  • 2009
  • Estate Planning for LGBT Couples
  • Benefits of estate planning
  • 2008
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (6)
Given (11)
Endorse James
Todd N Hallock headshot
Todd Hallock
Estate planning Attorney | May 24
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Eden Rose Brown headshot
Eden Brown
Estate planning Attorney | Nov 01
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"When my dear friend and colleague Laura Milliken Gray moved overseas, she put her trust in Jim Alder to continue her practice and to care for her clients. Having met and worked with Jim, I can see why Laura put her trust in him. Jim is a caring, compassionate, ethical attorney who does not judge his clients, but instead puts his heart and soul into designing the right estate plans for their unique needs and goals. I believe that Jim Alder holds the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, continually strives to expand his knowledge and expertise, and truly cares about each and every client he works with. Jim is a gem in his community and I highly recommend him."
Kyle Andrew Krasa headshot
Kyle Krasa
Estate planning Attorney | Nov 01
Relationship: Other
"Jim and I are part of an exclusive group of Estate Planning attorneys from around the country who are dedicated to constantly improving and keeping up with the law. I had the pleasure of attending an intense seminar with Jim where we exchanged ideas on substantive areas of the law as well as running a law practice. Jim is considerate, patient, and dilligent and I would recommend him to anyone who needs thoughtful and thorough Estate Planning and other related legal services."
George Tait headshot
George Tait
Estate planning Attorney | Aug 20
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Jim is a very thoughtful man who represents his clients with honesty and integrity. I now that Jim will not compromise his principles and honors the desires of his clients by enforcing their wishes in his estate planning. Jim is also a dedicated husband and father who knows what family really means."
RobRoy Platt headshot
RobRoy Platt
Estate planning Attorney | Jul 24
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Jim strikes me as a very careful, deliberate, and thoughtful attorney -- qualities which are essential for an attorney that practices Estate Planning. In addition, he is a pleasant person to be around and is an attentive listener. Also great qualities for an attorney. I would not hesitate to recommend Jim as an Estates/Probate attorney because I know he would do what was necessary to provide the level of service that each unique case deserves."
Jeffrey Robert Matsen headshot
Jeffrey Matsen
Estate planning Attorney | Jul 19
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Jim is an exceptional Estate Planning Attorney who knows how to get the job done. He is enthusiastic, friendly, and extremely professional. I am honored to be "Of Counsel" to his firm and I have great respect for his legal abilities and professional follow through."
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Greg S. Law headshot
Greg Law
Criminal defense
C Dennis Brislawn Jr headshot
C Brislawn
Trusts
Eric Michael Allen headshot
Eric Allen
Personal injury
RobRoy Platt headshot
RobRoy Platt
Elder law
Shirlene Bastar headshot
Shirlene Bastar
Estate planning
Kyle Andrew Krasa headshot
Kyle Krasa
Estate planning
Michael McGreaham headshot
Michael McGreaham
Estate planning
William A. Deitch headshot
William Deitch
Estate planning
Eden Rose Brown headshot
Eden Brown
Estate planning
George Tait headshot
George Tait
Personal injury
Jeffrey Robert Matsen headshot
Jeffrey Matsen
Estate planning
Salt Lake City Estate planning Lawyer James Preston Alder
James Preston Alder
Estate planning Attorney
Salt Lake City, UT
Licensed for 25 years
Free Consultation
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