When you’ve worked hard your entire life, you deserve to be in control of your own destiny. Our experienced attorneys will help you create an estate plan that makes your wishes known so that you’re protected regardless of what the future holds.

The Benefits of Estate Planning

A well-designed plan allows you to control and protect your assets while you are alive, after you have passed away, and for generations to come. Depending on your particular situation, we can design a customized plan that will:

  • Control how and when your assets are distributed after you pass away
  • Prepare wills, trusts, or powers of attorney to meet your family’s objectives
  • Name a guardian for your minor children
  • Name people of your choosing to handle medical and financial decisions if you become incapacitated and can no longer manage your own affairs
  • Avoid the delays, lack of privacy, and frustration inherent in the Michigan probate process
  • Protect your heirs’ assets against creditors, lawsuits, divorce, remarriage, and other potential problems
  • Prepare in advance to protect your home and life savings from nursing home and long-term care costs
  • Minimize or even eliminate estate, gift, and other taxes
  • Pass your values, work ethic, and sense of responsibility on to your heirs
  • Leave a lasting legacy
  • Enjoy greater peace of mind

Important Parts of Your Estate Plan

A basic estate plan includes a trust, Last Will and Testament, durable powers of attorney, and the appropriate patient advocate directives. 

Last Will and Testament

A will allows you to name who is in charge (called a personal representative) and control “who gets what” after you pass away—including key financial assets as well as items with primarily sentimental value. If applicable, it also lets you name guardians for your minor children.

Keep in mind that your will must go through probate, so it’s important to make sure you understand exactly how your plan will work for you and your family.

Durable Powers of Attorney

Durable powers of attorney allow you to name people of your choosing to make financial and medical decisions for you in the event of incapacity. Unfortunately, not all powers of attorney are created equal. More than half of the powers of attorney we review are missing key provisions—especially those that will allow your loved ones to protect your assets in the event you need nursing home care or other long-term care.

Please note that Michigan’s powers of attorney law changed in 2012. If you have an estate plan that hasn't been updated recently or wasn't prepared by an attorney specializing in estate planning and elder law, we would be glad to review your powers of attorney documents to make sure they contain all of the necessary provisions.

Patient Advocate Directives

Patient advocate directives allow you to choose the type of medical care you want to receive if you become unable to speak for yourself due to illness or injury. In addition, universal HIPAA Authorization allows your loved ones to access medical information about your condition when they need it.

Trusts

Many of our clients want to protect their assets from probate, taxes, and long-term care costs. Through proper planning using irrevocable and revocable trusts, you can maintain control while still protecting your home and life savings. 

One of the most common types of trusts is the revocable living trust. It allows you to maintain complete control over your assets while you are alive and after you have passed away. Perhaps most importantly, a revocable living trust also allows your estate to avoid Michigan probate.

With a revocable living trust, you can change trustees or beneficiaries, control the investments, receive the income from the trust, and empty the trust at any time—while still being protected from lawsuits and long-term care costs. You don’t have to transfer your assets to the trust all at once. You can do so over time and even add to the trust as you acquire new assets.

Get Started Creating a Plan That Fits Your Unique Needs

The earlier you begin the planning process, the more options you will have to protect your loved ones and yourself. Contact us today to schedule a free strategy session with a member of our team to discuss your particular needs and goals. Consultations are available at our Howell or Clinton Township offices or anywhere in Michigan virtually.