When you decide to make a will and estate plan, the task ahead of you can feel overwhelming. How are you going to decide who gets what and who should manage distributing your assets? If you aren’t strategic in your estate planning, you could make a mistake that could...
Estate Administration & Probate
Do you know how to talk to your family about your estate plans?
Despite feeling uncomfortable thinking about your death, you pushed through and write your estate plan. While that is cause for celebration, let your loved ones know about said plan. Fidelity explains the importance of sharing the contents of your estate with friends...
How do you pick the right executor for your estate?
Michigan residents like you who are starting to work on your estate or will have several things to do first. Among them is choosing an executor. This is one of the key pieces to managing your estate. They will handle your matters after you pass away. Because of that,...
Your estate planning needs after a new marriage
Many people may feel estate planning to be unnecessary as they assume their assets will simply flow to their surviving spouse after they die and, then, eventually to their children. However, in a blended family, this flow of assets may be less than clear or confirmed....
Will challenging a will automatically invoke a no-contest clause?
Estate planning experts encourage Fowlerville residents to be transparent when drafting their estate planning instruments. The purpose of such advice is to help avoid you and others from feeling blindsided if and when one’s desires do not meet your expectations. When...
Detailing Michigan’s intestate succession guidelines
Most in Fowlerville will likely agree that it is important to have a plan in place for accounting for the distribution of one’s assets when they die. Yet despite recognizing this, many American adults still do not have a will (indeed, per information shared by the...
Expressing your health care wishes if you become incapacitated
A complete Michigan estate plan does not just inform your heirs of what they will receive after you die. It will also provide instructions for certain situations while you are still alive. In particular, the estate plan should include documents that explain your...
What are the top 5 questions executors ask?
When you become the executor of someone’s Michigan estate, you may feel overwhelmed. Probate often can present challenges for which you are unprepared.The American Bar Association has provided a list of common questions posed by executors and the answers to...
How can I stop conflicts between my heirs?
While creating an estate plan is crucial, having a will or trust in place is really just the beginning of the process. With some families, heirs come into conflict about the decisions made by the deceased, which can incur both time and money when it comes to legal...
Can a non-lawyer help me draft estate documents?
If you need a will drawn up, you may be tempted to have a friend or relative help you do it so you can save money on paying an attorney. However, due to Michigan laws, you probably should not do it. According to the State Bar of Michigan, letting a non-lawyer draft...