Articles

Do You Need To Update

Many people wonder if they should update their estate plan or if their existing estate plan is adequate to meet their needs. I recommend that people review or have their estate plan reviewed annually, to make sure that it is …

Read More

Reasons to do Estate Planning

I’ve had people come up to me and say “I don’t need estate planning because I don’t have anything.” These people mistakenly believe that estate planning is all about death planning for their stuff. What they do not realize is …

Read More

Medical Directives

One of the most important documents necessary to avoid court involvement when you are old and funny is a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care also called a Designation of Patient Advocate. With this document, you choose who is …

Read More

Children’s Accounts May Need to be Probated

In an attempt to do their own mini-estate plan, many people add their children’s or grandchildren’s names to financial assets. These assets could include saving accounts, checking accounts, Christmas club accounts, CDs, life insurance policies, annuities, U.S. Savings Bonds, etc. …

Read More

Wills Guarantee Probate

“Dad’s (or Mom’s) will says I am the sole beneficiary. I took the will to the bank, but the bank refused to give me my money. Why won’t the bank give me my money, when Dad’s (or Mom’s) will says …

Read More

Planning for Charitable Gifts

If you are like most people, you are charitably minded. Studies show that more than 80 percent of Michigan residents give annually to non-profit charitable organizations. However, have you ever thought about what happens to those non-profits after you are …

Read More

Sharing is Caring

They’re your assets and your estate plan and you want to keep it private. Why would you want to share your plan with your family? If your family is like most families, your children will at some point start believing …

Read More

Providing for Special Needs Children

You may have a special needs child who is developmentally disabled or legally incapacitated. This child may also be on some form of governmental assistance such as Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Income or Medicaid. If you leave property …

Read More