After a loved one dies, the last thing you want to think about is going to court and dealing with a messy and complicated probate process. However, unless you have a very small estate, or you work with an attorney to build a comprehensive estate plan, your family and friends might find themselves in … Read more about Can I Avoid Probate in Michigan?
How Do I Explain My Estate Plan to My Loved Ones?
It’s no wonder that people struggle to talk with their loved ones about their estate plans. After all, estate planning sits at the intersection of two topics that few people like to bring up: mortality and money. However, even though it can be difficult to broach the subject, a candid … Read more about How Do I Explain My Estate Plan to My Loved Ones?
Why Should I Register My West Michigan Business as an LLC?
Limited liability companies (LLCs) offer numerous benefits to Michigan business owners. They are flexible, they’re easy to create, and they have less demanding reporting requirements than a corporation. However, they also have limitations, and there are some potential pitfalls that business owners … Read more about Why Should I Register My West Michigan Business as an LLC?
Why You Need a Durable Health Care Power of Attorney
Schedule a Virtual Appointment Durable health care powers of attorney prepare you for the unthinkable. What would happen if you suddenly went into cardiac arrest and were left in a permanent vegetative state? Would your family members agree on how to care for you? Or would disagreements about … Read more about Why You Need a Durable Health Care Power of Attorney
How Do I Avoid a Will Contest?
A will contest is a dispute involving the validity of a last will and testament. While they are sometimes necessary, will contests are expensive, and they can lead to stress and emotional pain for families. Below, we’ll explain how will contests work and how to avoid them with help from an estate … Read more about How Do I Avoid a Will Contest?
How to Protect Your Children With an Estate Plan
While most minor children will thankfully never have to deal with the loss of a parent, it’s still something that every parent should plan for. A comprehensive estate plan can protect your children in case something happens to you and provide them a degree of stability during a very difficult … Read more about How to Protect Your Children With an Estate Plan
Top 5 Tips for Starting a Business in Michigan
Starting a business involves more than completing a few forms (although completing forms is certainly part of it). A successful start-up has a well-defined plan and a clear identity, and establishing one involves several important steps; missing any of them can doom your business to failure before … Read more about Top 5 Tips for Starting a Business in Michigan
Here’s How Probate Works in Michigan
Most people don’t know much about probate — just enough to know they want to avoid it. However, whether you have to guide a loved one’s estate through probate court or you’re planning your own estate to avoid probate, it helps to know what probate is all about and why it can frustrate people so … Read more about Here’s How Probate Works in Michigan
Can I Create a Trust Without Help From a Lawyer?
Countless books, software programs, and do-it-yourself guides promise to help you create your own trust. However, this doesn’t mean that buying a $30 book will deliver the same results as working with an experienced West Michigan estate planning lawyer. Continue reading to learn about some of the … Read more about Can I Create a Trust Without Help From a Lawyer?
Make Sure Your Estate Plan Is Complete With This Checklist
A comprehensive estate plan will protect you, your family, and your assets. However, it’s all too easy to make a mistake while planning your own estate, and any errors can result in costly and unnecessary court proceedings as well as frustration or even financial hardship for your family. While … Read more about Make Sure Your Estate Plan Is Complete With This Checklist
How Much Does It Cost to Create a Living Trust?
If you’re thinking about creating a living trust but haven’t made up your mind yet, your decision is probably resting on an important question: “What is this going to cost me?” After all, if working with an estate planning lawyer to establish a trust was free, almost everyone would do it. This … Read more about How Much Does It Cost to Create a Living Trust?
5 Estate Planning Questions for Grand Rapids Families
A poorly-drafted will or trust can lead to unnecessary expenses, lengthy court hearings, and family discord. Fortunately, if you ask yourself a few key questions before you begin the process of planning your estate, you can use your answers to guide many of your most important decisions and minimize … Read more about 5 Estate Planning Questions for Grand Rapids Families