Estate Planning and Probate

It is our belief that you need an estate plan to help manage property during your lifetime, and to ensure that it is disposed of according to your wishes at the time of your death.  Michigan law provides a set of "default" rules that control what will happen to your property if you die "intestate" (without a will).  If you fail to establish an estate plan during your lifetime, these are the rules the court will follow in distributing your property.  The statutory plan may or may not be to your liking.  By putting some time into finding out what your options are, and developing a plan now, you can ensure that you provide for your loved ones, benefit charities, give direction regarding the care of your children and dependents, and make other important decisions.

You can also make provision for circumstances in which you are still alive but cannot make decisions about important matters such as your own property and finances, and your own medical care.  This situation could arise because of an incapacitating accident or illness.  By taking some time to plan now, and prepare the required documents to implement your plan, you can ease the burden on your loved ones in the future, and give yourself peace of mind in the present.

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