Probate & Estate Planning Blog

Whatever stage of life’s journey you may currently be facing, estate planning is one of the most important ways to prepare for whatever the future may hold. An estate plan can empower you to keep control of your most important assets, and have a say in the matters that will directly impact you and the…

When someone passes away, their assets must be collected and distributed and their estate must be guided through Michigan’s probate courts. The personal representative is the person tasked with this important responsibility, which typically includes: As they discharge their duties, a personal representative is held to a very high standard of conduct. They are expected…

Over the course of a lifetime, we acquire assets. When we pass on, those assets remain and they will be reallocated. The question is — will you have a say in the matter? Estate planning is a process that gives you a say, and there are many important tools and mechanisms to consider with your…

Estate planning is one of the most important steps you can take to prepare for the future and protect your family, even when you’re gone. This process involves using a variety of tools — including wills, trusts, and powers of attorney — to help ensure that you can maintain control even when you are unable…

If you are the parent or sibling of a loved one with special needs, you know the importance of making sure they’re protected and able to enjoy the best possible quality of life. These crucial and meaningful goals should also be considered as part of your estate plan.  A writing from the Special Needs Alliance…

Setting up your estate plan isn’t always a pleasant thing to think about; however, it’s a very important step to take when you have the opportunity.   Often, taking time to plan for what will happen to the people who matter most and the assets you’ve spent a lifetime acquiring will include considering who you will…

When you pass away, what will happen to the assets you’ve spent a lifetime acquiring? Developing an estate plan is a process that keeps you in control if you become incapacitated, and even when you’re gone. For some people, this may mean taking action to deliberately exclude or disinherit certain individuals from their wills or…

You may be familiar with the concept of “Do It Yourself,” or “DIY.” In short, this ethos is all about tackling important projects on your own, without having to involve professionals. Most people associate DIY with homeowners researching solutions, buying their own tools, and getting to work making fixes and repairs around the house. Other…

Losing a loved one is always difficult and emotionally trying. The loss of a family member can take on a new dimension when the decedent was the head of the household, or one of the primary income earners in the family. In Michigan, there are a number of rights belonging to the surviving spouse and…

Unfortunately, it’s inevitable for bad things to happen. Fortunately, it’s possible to take precautions to make bad situations easier to manage. If something happens that leaves you unable to make or communicate decisions for yourself, a durable power of attorney is a tool that can help ensure that someone you trust will be empowered to…