Law Firm Overview

From the Simplest to the To the Messiest We Take On Probate Cases – And We Win

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Patrick & Associates, PLLC is an Oakland County based probate law firm that thrives on the cases most attorneys avoid: the highly contested, emotionally charged, and downright messy probate disputes that tear families apart and drag on for years. Founded and led by Dean E. Patrick, we focus exclusively on probate litigation, trust contests, guardianship battles, conservatorships, and complex estate administration—cases where large, high-volume firms often fall short because they lack the courtroom tenacity and specialized focus we bring every single day.

We have repeatedly gone head-to-head with some of Michigan’s biggest and most well-resourced law firms—and we have beaten them. Our track record includes prevailing in will contests, trust disputes, fiduciary breach claims, and guardianship fights where the opposition had significantly greater resources. These victories prove that focused expertise, aggressive advocacy, and a refusal to back down outperform sheer size and name recognition.

Why Clients Trust Us With Their Toughest Cases

Clients come to us when:

• Family members are fighting over an estate and emotions are running high.
• Beneficiary designations are disputed or outdated, threatening intended inheritances.
• A personal representative faces accusations of mismanagement or self-dealing.
• Guardianship or conservatorship petitions turn adversarial.
• Large firms representing the other side assume superior resources will carry the day.

In these high-stakes situations, Dean E. Patrick and our team deliver strategic, courtroom-tested representation that levels the playing field—and often tilts it decisively in our clients’ favor. We know Michigan probate courts inside and out, understand the nuances of the Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC), and never hesitate to take a case to trial when settlement offers fall short.

Meet Dean E. Patrick – The Attorney Who Fights the Hard Battles

With over two decades of exclusive focus on probate law, Dean E. Patrick has earned a reputation as the attorney families turn to when the stakes are highest. He has successfully handled some of the most complex and contentious probate matters in Michigan, routinely outperforming larger firms through meticulous preparation, sharp litigation skills, and an unwavering commitment to his clients’ goals.

Dean founded Patrick & Associates to provide the kind of focused, aggressive advocacy that big firms—spread across multiple practice areas—often cannot match in probate court. Clients consistently praise his availability, clear communication, and ability to secure favorable outcomes in cases others deemed unwinnable.

Our Practice Areas

We handle the full spectrum of probate-related matters, including:

• Probate litigation (will contests, trust disputes, fiduciary breaches)
• Probate administration and personal representative guidance
• Estate planning (wills, trusts, guardianship nominations)
• Guardianship and conservatorship proceedings (contested and uncontested)
• ERISA benefits in decedent estates and beneficiary designation disputes
• Wrongful death settlement distributions tied to probate

Why We Stand Out

• Exclusive Focus: We do probate—and only probate—giving us unmatched depth.
• Proven Against the Big Firms: We have the wins to show focused expertise beats volume.
• Client-First Approach: Direct access to our team, prompt responses, and genuine care.
• No Case Too Messy: We welcome the complex, contentious matters others avoid.

If you’re facing a difficult probate dispute and want a team of attorneys who have beaten the big firms while fighting for families like yours, contact Patrick & Associates, PLLC today.

Call (248) 663-2566 or fill in the form below to schedule your consultation.

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