Protecting your Future ...
Protecting the future of your loved ones ...
Probate is the legal process by which a deceased person's assets are distributed. A probate case must be initiated with the Court whenever a person dies with assets that need to be transferred and distributed. This is required with or without a valid last will and testament! If a person has a Last Will and Testament, it sets forth how the assets should be distributed and will be followed by the Personal Representative. However, if there is no valid will, then a Probate Judge will ultimately determine how the estate will be administered and how the assets will be distributed. When this occurs, things can become extremely stressful and uncertain. This can cause resentment between family members. As a Downriver, MI probate attorney, I am trained in the process of probate procedure and experienced in helping with the administration of the estate of a decedent.
Probate & Trust Attorney
Sometimes the interpretation or validity of a person's estate or trust must be argued before the Court to clarify the parties rights and obligations. This is when having an experienced Michigan probate attorney is essential.
Probate court is used when the last will and testament or trust may contain ambiguities. Most often, these issues are regarding who should inherit a particular property or how much a person should receive.
As a Downriver probate attorney, I have experience helping heirs and beneficiaries recover their inheritances. I have also defended wrongfully accused trustees and personal representatives from false accusations of failing to perform their duties properly.
Estate Planning Legal Services
- Wills and codicils (amendments to wills)
- Trusts - Revocable and irrevocable trusts
- Living trusts
- Special needs trusts
- Durable powers of attorney
- Health care directives
- Probate and estate administration
- Probate litigation
- Quit Claim Deed
- Ladybird Deed
Guardianship / Conservatorship
Guardianship
In cases when a person cannot completely care for themselves due to a developmental disability, mental disease, or other extenuating circumstances, a guardian can be appointed by the Court to oversee that person's care. Guardianship law can be complex and difficult to navigate.
Conservatorship
A Conservatorship is like a Guardianship but relates to the individual's financial matters. A Conservator is responsible for overseeing that the person's finances are handled appropriately and not misappropriated. In certain guardianship matters, the person who needs a Guardian also has significant assets that need to be protected.