A common question every estate planning lawyer gets is, “How much do you charge for a will?” There is no single answer. A will is not a standardized product. Each will has unique characteristics based on a person's financial, family, and legal situation.Estate Planning Is...
Read MoreDivorce is a complicated process of unwinding not just a marriage, but of property and other legal obligations. There are many legal issues to consider. For example, how does a divorce affect your will or other estate planning documents?Divorce (Partially) Revokes Your WillMarried couples typically...
Read MoreAn executor, or personal representative, carries out the terms and provisions of a deceased person’s will. Typically, the creator of the will (also known as the testator) will name an executor who is responsible for closing out the testator’s estate, which means taking care of...
Read MoreOnce you’ve created an estate plan, it’s important that you maintain it. For example, there might be additional beneficiaries that you want to add to your will or people that you want to take out of it. Remember, if you don’t keep your will up-to-date...
Read MoreEstate planning is an individual process -- what works for one person might not be the best option for distributing your assets. For example, you don’t have to create a will in order to dispose of your assets after death. Another option is creating a...
Read MoreEveryone has heard stories about angry relatives contesting a deceased loved one's will. In reality, over 99 percent of wills are admitted to probate without incident. Michigan courts presume a will is valid unless there is evidence to the contrary. If you want to avoid...
Read MoreMost Michigan residents have some form of retirement savings. The most common types of retirement accounts are IRAs, 401(k) plans, and Roth IRA plans. Each has specific rules governing how and when withdrawals are made. In addition, there are significant estate planning implications for handling...
Read MoreWhile anyone can fall prey to a scam, many con artists choose to focus their attention on the elderly. Michigan seniors may find themselves the target of any number of scams involving Medicare, insurance, and estate planning. It is important to recognize the signs of...
Read MoreLosing a loved one is difficult under any circumstances, and it can be challenging to think about financial issues when you are coming to terms with the death emotionally. Yet it is important for families of veterans to know about burial veterans for benefits and...
Read MoreWith Donald Trump’s election and pending inauguration, many Michigan residents may be wondering about how some of the laws and regulations that Trump wants to put in place may affect your estate plan. What do some of these plans entail? And how can you prepare...
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