An electronic will was accepted as valid, but at what cost to the heirs? A Michigan man passes away and leaves behind, in lieu of a properly drafted will, a handwritten note that directs to a will that he wrote out on his cellphone. The man left his mother out of the will that he [...]
Probate costs can far exceed the cost of personally crafted estate plan. Everyone’s situation is different, and therefore, everyone has a different need for an estate plan. An estate plan is personalized and created custom to fit your needs. You could say that getting a skillfully drafted estate plan is one of the best investments [...]
As the Baby-Boomer generation ages, many of them do not have someone in their lives to act as a guardian or conservator if the need arises. Que the professionals! In these types of cases, it is not uncommon for attorneys or social workers to be appointed for these roles, although a professional guardian can be [...]
In just the last month or so, our nation has seen incredible devastation: hurricanes, earthquakes, and the Las Vegas mass shooting. National Do Something Nice Day Hearing about all of these tragedies so close together can make it seem as if the world is caught in a negative rut, but that couldn’t be farther from [...]
When we think about guardianships and conservatorships, we often picture the elderly or minor children. But these protections aren’t just for assisting people at polar ends of the aging spectrum. Conservatorships and guardianships can be a solution for anyone of any age with dependency issues, disabilities, and/or mental illness. Opioid Nation: An American Epidemic Local [...]
It’s a gloomy day in the city as cold raindrops splatter and heavy breezes push people in every direction. An elderly man’s face is wet and his gray hair is messy after a slow walk from his car to the bank. Finally, he makes his way to the bank teller and tells her that he [...]
A new mini Probate Pro is now on the go! Brandon Eckerle, one of our newest attorneys, and his wife Angela just welcomed their first child, a girl, on Tuesday, May 16, 2017. Both mom and daughter are happy and healthy, and the new family of three is already home starting their new journey together. [...]
I have had the pleasure of meeting plenty of nurses in my lifetime who, simply by knowing and caring for their patients, win over and over again. In the realm of probate, we work with, support, and witness the healing powers of nurses on a daily basis. Just last week, the nation’s heart broke during [...]
Throughout April, the world has been lighting up blue in recognition of World Autism Month. Universally-recognized landmarks across the globe, such as The White House, the Empire State Building, and Niagara Falls, have lit up blue in support of Autism awareness and the Light It Up Blue campaign. As the fastest-growing developmental disorder in America [...]
This past week, the Michigan Court of Appeals issued and published an important decision that clarifies the issue of whether an attorney represents the interests of the entire probate estate or just the fiduciary (Personal Representative, Conservator, Guardian, Trustee, etc.). Before this ruling, many attorneys and clients were confused by this issue. For years, despite [...]
