Planning for the future is essential. Our estate planning attorneys create customized wills and trusts for families in Detroit, Metro area, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, and Tuscola counties, ensuring your legacy is protected.
A Will must be Probated and go through Probate Court. It instructs the Personal Representative and the Court on what your wishes are. A Trust is a legal document that survives you and is a legal entity. If a Trust if set up and funded correctly you may be able to avoid Probate Court completely.
It is a good practice to have a Will that transfers everything into your Trust upon your death. This ensures your Trust instructions will be followed. The Will can designate guardians for your minor children and the Trust will ensure your assets are used and distributed as you desire after your passing.
From initial consultation to Trust execution the timing averages a month to two months. This is dependant on the client providing all information necessary and making decisions quickly.
Most people name a trusted family member or friend as the Personal Representative or Executor of their Will. The Trowbridge Law Firm has acted in this capacity for many individual who either do not have any family members or who do not want to burden their friends or family with this responsibility.
Your Estate planning documents should be reviewed every couple of years or on the occurrence of a major life event, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, the death of a spouse, child or grandchild, or the acquisition of significant assets.
A power of attorney ensures your affairs are handled according to your wishes. From Detroit to Metro area and Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, and Tuscola counties, we draft documents that provide peace of mind.
A Power of Attorney gives someone authority to act on your behalf, typically if you become incapacitated due to illness or accident.
There are two general types of Powers of Attorney, one for Financial use and one for Health Care choices.
This is sometimes a difficult choice. You want to make sure the person you choose is trustworthy, knows your wishes, and willing to abide and act upon those wishes. Proximity to you may also be a consideration. You don’t necessarily want your brother in California to be your Health Care Power of Attorney, as they may not be able to get here easily or timely to make decisions for your benefit.
The Health Care Power of Attorney can make medical decisions on your behalf if you are not able to do so yourself.
Another interested person, such as a spouse, child or other relative can challenge the person you designate as power of attorney if they believe that person is not acting in your best interests or against your wishes. They would have to file a petition with the Probate Court to remove that person and have them replaced.
Preserving your wealth for future generations requires careful planning. Our estate planning team works with clients in Detroit, Metro area, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, and Tuscola counties to develop strategies tailored to their needs.
A wealth transfer strategy involves planning how to pass on your assets to your heirs or chosen beneficiaries in the most efficient, tax-effective, and legally sound manner. This can include trusts, wills, gifting, and other estate planning tools.
Estate planning ensures your wealth is distributed according to your wishes, minimizes taxes, avoids probate, and can protect your assets from creditors or legal challenges. It provides peace of mind knowing your legacy will be preserved and your loved ones will be taken care of as you intended.
You can minimize estate taxes by:
The "best" method depends on your specific circumstances, but common effective strategies include:
Trowbridge Law Firm offers personalized estate planning services, including:
Trowbridge Law Firm is Michigan’s trusted firm for landlord-tenant law and a variety of practice areas including family law, estate planning, business law, and real property law. We are dedicated to providing excellent, responsive and trusted legal services to our clients, with a focus on efficiency and a proactive solution-based approach to their legal needs.
Serving all of Michigan and Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw County including Metro and Downtown Detroit, Southfield, Dearborn, Troy, Livonia, Royal Oak, Birmingham, and Farmington Hills areas in Southeastern Michigan as well as Tuscola County including Caro and Cass City in Michigan’s Thumb.
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