Blog
How 2021 Estate Tax Legislation in Congress May Impact Your Estate Plan
December 17th, 2021
Since the moment President Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 election, attorneys, tax planners, and financial professionals have speculated about how the new administration might change the tax landscape, particularly with regard to estate ta…
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Michigan to Assist Probate Attorneys in Fighting Elder Abuse
December 6th, 2021
In Michigan, when an adult becomes incapable of making good decisions for him- or herself, someone needs to step in and help. Often that person is a guardian or conservator. A guardian makes personal decisions for a legally incapacitated person (ward…
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Proposed Guardianship Reforms in Michigan
November 2nd, 2021
Legal guardianship is not an issue most people think about unless it is splashed across websites and tabloid television, as in the Britney Spears guardianship saga. But the reality is that guardianship abuse is widespread, even though it rarely gets…
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Should I Include a No-Contest Clause in My Will?
October 5th, 2021
Your last will and testament is supposed to give effect to your wishes for what happens to your property after your death. Having a will typically promotes family harmony by making your wishes clear and preventing your family from fighting over what…
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Categories: Probate Law
Lessons From Britney Spears About Fighting Conservatorship Abuse
September 2nd, 2021
The word “conservatorship” wasn’t familiar to many people until this year, when the saga of pop singer Britney Spears’ conservatorship burst into the public consciousness. Images of #FreeBritney protests appeared on the news, and dramatic hea…
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Categories: Conservatorships
What’s the Difference Between a Guardian and a Conservator?
August 24th, 2021
Conservators have been in the news lately, with singer Britney Spears pushing back in court against her father’s 13-year conservatorship over her. Many of the people standing outside the courthouse waving “FREE BRITNEY” signs have only a vague…
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Designating Co-Executors of a Will
June 16th, 2021
Estate planning, including preparing your will, is filled with big decisions. One of the most important is your choice of executor (also called a “personal representative”). Your executor is the person who will administer your estate after your d…
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Michigan Probate for Out-of-State Families
May 27th, 2021
Losing a loved one is always hard, and having to settle their estate while you are still grieving can make things even more difficult. It’s challenging enough when you live near your family member’s last residence and can deal with estate matters…
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Categories: Probate Law
How a Ladybird Deed Can Protect Your Home From Probate
April 2nd, 2021
Avoiding probate is a priority for many people, and understandably so; they don’t want their family, already grieving their loss, to be confronted with administrative difficulties in settling their estate. Estate planning tools, such as living trus…
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Five Reasons for Contesting a Will
March 10th, 2021
Fewer than one percent of wills are challenged in court, and many of those challenges are unsuccessful. The fact of the matter is, it is not easy to overturn a will, or even a provision in a will. That said, the law of every state, including Michigan…
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