Probate isn’t a commonly known field of law, but you would be remiss in protecting yourself if you didn’t know what probate is. So, what is it? Probate is a broad field of law that includes important legal hearings and procedures such as deceased estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts and more. For any regular Joe Six-Pack, [...]
Lately, there has been a marked increase in demand for Lady Bird Deeds. A Lady Bird Deed is an enhanced life estate in which someone who owns property keeps the property, and control over it, until his or her passing. Once the owner of said property passes away, the property will transfer to the new [...]
The Will In the state of Michigan, a valid will must comply with MCL 700.2502. It must exist in writing. On top of this, it is recommended to create a written will with the assistance of a competent estate planning lawyer. Another requirement under Michigan law is that the will must be signed by the [...]
Many families around the world have a canine, feline or other type of animal companion that’s in their lives. While there’s no biological relation, they’re often treated like family. When it comes to family, you always want to leave them protected. Through a comprehensive estate plan, you can protect your family and assure your assets [...]
You’ve probably read it by now, seen it on the television screen or heard it on the radio. Kobe Bryant, basketball legend – along with eight other passengers, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna – were killed in a helicopter accident on January 26. Typing those words still don’t feel right. LA Times Columnist Bill Plaschke [...]
We always talk about what an estate plan is and what needs to be in an estate plan. More importantly, we have explained time after time why it’s so important to have an estate plan in place. So once again, let’s go over why it’s so important to have one and why building that plan [...]
Earlier this year, financier Jeffrey Epstein was found dead inside his jail cell in New York City. Interestingly, two days prior to his death, he wrote an estate plan and will. As estate planning attorneys, we’ve been asked if putting an estate plan together right before death is a common thing that happens. The answer [...]
What is an Estate and an Estate Plan? When people hear the word “estate,” some may think of movie-like mansions, sprawled across the mountains with swimming pools and acres of land. However, an estate refers to any assets that you have. This means anything that belongs to you. An estate plan contains a variety of [...]
An individual has recently passed away, and has money remaining in his or her bank account. Can anyone just walk over to that bank or an ATM and take the money out? The answer is no. Once an individual has died, there are steps which need to be taken in order to be able to [...]
Having an estate plan is so important because anything can happen, but exactly how do you go about preparing an estate plan? Well, it's not all that different than getting ready for a vacation. When you’re planning for a vacation, you make sure you have all your essentials packed. Your clothes, your toiletries, your electronics [...]
