Estate administration may be necessary when a person passes away with assets titled in their own name alone. Regardless of the size or complexity of a deceased individual’s estate, our office can assist with navigating Michigan’s probate process. Michigan also has certain small estate procedures that may be available depending on the circumstances. Whether you find yourself being nominated as the personal representative of an estate or are to receive property from an estate, our office can assist with any questions you may have regarding the administration of an estate.

Much like estate administration, trust administration may be necessary when an individual passes away leaving assets in trust. Interpreting the trust document and navigating certain responsibilities a successor trustee has to the trust beneficiaries is not as straight forward as one might think. Similarly, trust beneficiaries may have questions as to what they may be entitled to as a trust beneficiary. Our office can assist with questions that you might have when it comes to the administration of a trust.

Adult Guardianships may become necessary when an individual is no longer able to make informed decisions for themselves. There are countless events that can lead to an individual needing someone to make important decisions for them regarding their care. Whether an individual has been involved in an accident or is suffering from a deteriorating mental state, a guardianship may be necessary to protect the individual. When a loved one is in need of having a guardian appointed, our office can help with the necessary court process for such a situation.

Minor guardianships also require a court proceeding in order to appoint someone to act on behalf of a minor. If a parent has permitted their child to reside with another without giving that person authority to make decisions for the minor, then a minor guardianship may be appropriate. The death, disappearance, or other inability of a parent to act on behalf of their child may also lead to a minor guardianship proceeding being necessary.

Conservatorships are very similar to guardianships in the sense that an incapacitated individual or minor child may need assistance in making important decisions. However, with conservatorships, an individual is being appointed by the court to properly manage another person’s property. If you or a loved one is having difficulty properly managing property or business affairs, do not hesitate to contact our office to discuss the potential need for a conservatorship.

Probate litigation is essentially any matter that falls within the jurisdiction of the probate court where parties may disagree on how certain issues should be decided. These issues may range from estate and trust administration to contested guardianship and conservatorship cases. Whether you are disputing who should be appointed as a fiduciary or what property is to be distributed from an estate or trust, our office can assist with asserting your rights given the issues at hand.