Estate Planning & Elder Law

For decades, our Estate Planning & Elder Law team has helped individuals and families across West Michigan plan for the future with confidence. From high-net-worth individuals to those with modest estates, we create customized estate plans that protect clients in the event of death, incapacity, or the need for long-term care.

We also provide trusted support during estate and trust administration, guiding surviving family members through probate, asset transfers, and court proceedings if necessary. With deep continuity across our legal team, clients benefit from long-term relationships and consistent, experienced counsel.

Should disputes arise, we collaborate closely with our litigation attorneys to handle will contests, trust disputes, and other probate matters, always focused on protecting your family and your legacy. Whether you’re creating your first will or updating a trust, we can walk you through the process and help you make informed decisions for your family’s future.

Experience and Expertise

Estate Planning

We help individuals and families create plans that reflect their wishes and protect their assets, whether that involves a simple will, a complex trust structure, or tax-efficient gifting strategies.

• Wills
• Living Trusts
• Testamentary Trusts
• Special Needs Trusts
• Cottage Succession Trusts
• Irrevocable Gifting Trusts
• Domestic Asset Protection Trusts
• Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts
• Pet Trusts
• Gun Trusts
• Real Estate Transfers
• Asset Protection
• Probate Avoidance
• Estate Tax Avoidance
• Income Tax Avoidance
• Gift Tax Avoidance
• Business Succession Planning
• Planned Charitable Giving
• Premarital Agreements
• Cohabitation Agreements
• Durable Financial Powers of Attorney
• Patient Advocate Designations
• HIPAA Waivers
• Funeral Representative Designations
• Guardianships
• Conservatorships

Elder Law

Planning for long-term care involves navigating programs like Medicaid and Medicare, as well as protecting against exploitation. We help families understand these options and plan accordingly.

• Long Term Care Planning
• Medicaid
• Medicare
• MI Choice Waiver
• PACE
• Social Security
• Veteran’s Benefits
• Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Financial Exploitation

Estate & Trust Administration

After a loved one passes, there are legal and financial steps that need to be handled carefully. We guide families through probate, asset transfers, and fiduciary responsibilities.

• Trustee Representation
• Probate Representation
• Beneficiary Representation
• Transfer and Retitling of Assets
• Estate Tax Returns

Probate Litigation

When disputes arise over a will, trust, or estate, we work with our litigation team to protect our clients’ rights and resolve matters as efficiently as possible.

• Breach of Fiduciary Duty
• Breach of Trust
• Will and Trust Contests
• Undue Influence
• Failure to Properly Account to Beneficiaries
• Exploitation of Vulnerable Adults
• Guardianships
• Conservatorships