Proactive estate planning can often avoid the time-consuming and costly probate process, but probate may be needed when a person passes away without a valid estate plan in place. Refer to our blog to learn what to expect if you’ve been named the personal representative of a loved one’s estate, then contact our office to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
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What You Need to Know About the Differences Between Supervised and Unsupervised Probate in MichiganWondering about the difference between supervised and unsupervised probate? Our experienced estate lawyers clarify this aspect of the Michigan probate process.
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When to Update Your WillFor many people, sitting down to create a will can be a complicated process which involves reviewing drafts of the will document and taking specific steps to make sure it properly signed and witnessed. Often, once the will has finally been properly executed and copies are secured, the person who created the document will consider... Read More »
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5 Things to Keep in Mind About ProbateProbate is the process by which a court authenticates the will of a deceased person (assuming the deceased made one). There are a lot of assumptions floating around about the probate process, many of which are actually misconceptions. Here are 5 things people commonly get wrong about probate. 1. If I die without leaving a... Read More »
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What if a Personal Representative Fails to Probate a Will?When a person dies with a will in place, they typically name a person to serve as their personal representative. The personal representative is responsible for making sure that the deceased’s debts are paid and that any remaining money or property is distributed according to the deceased’s wishes. Oftentimes, wills are written years before a... Read More »
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Creating an Ironclad WillYour last will and testament or “will” is a part of your estate plan which permits you set out the way in which you want your property to be distributed and have other matters handled when you pass away. Ideally, what you have said in your will is going to be easily understood and accepted... Read More »
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Probate In Michigan | Don’t Make This MistakeMichigan probate law is a strange creature. Sometimes when you plan without fully understanding this creature, the result is directly opposite what you intended. Let me tell you a sad story about “Mrs. Smith”. Mrs. Smith had four children, all of whom she loved and trusted. One daughter, Sally, lived closer and started helping Mrs.... Read More »
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Revocable and Irrevocable TrustsA revocable living trust (also known as a living trust) is a trust that the grantor creates during his or her lifetime. The trust provisions can be altered or revoked whenever the grantor wishes. A living trust is useful for managing assets during your lifetime, and protecting you should you become disabled or incapacitated. However,... Read More »
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The Ugly Truth About Probate Claims Taking Michigan Homes from Rightful HeirsIn Michigan, a probate law is contributing to situations in which heirs are being denied their rightful property. The law says that if you don’t open an estate within 42 days of a loved ones’ death, either a creditor or a Public Administrator can open the estate, and they can take control of the assets. This... Read More »
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Avoiding ProbateWhen you hear the term probate chances are it brings to mind an experience which you or someone you know has had while going through this process. Often, people who go through probate find it to be cumbersome, lengthy, and expensive. For these reasons, many people would choose to avoid having to go through probate... Read More »
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How an Estate Planning Attorney Can Help During ProbateWhen someone dies, their survivors are often left to cope with the pain of their loss, plan for final arrangements, and then try to manage their estate. If there is a will (or even absent one), a named personal representative must oversee the distribution of the estate through the probate process. Probate, like all legal... Read More »
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Understanding the Michigan Probate ProcessMost of us do not think about the term probate until there is a death in our lives. This is because, in many instances, probate is the legal process which will be utilized to administer a person’s estate after they die. While it may seem that probate is a straightforward matter, there can be complicating... Read More »
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Another Side of the Story: Terri Schiavo’s Brother Speaks OutTerri Schiavo was the subject of one of the nation’s most famous and divisive end-of-life cases. Bobby Schindler is her brother, and he is the president of the Terri Schiavo Life and Hope Network. Schindler recently joined Rebecca A. Hobbs of ElderLawAnsers to tell his sister’s story. Terri Schiavo was only 26... Read More »