Michigan Wills and Trusts
A well-written estate plan helps to ensure that your property is distributed according to your wishes after your death, but it does much more than that. It gives you peace of mind that your family will be provided for, and it prevents confusion and conflict among your family when they are grieving your loss.
Howard T. Linden, P.C. handles all aspects of Michigan estate planning, including:
- Wills
- Trusts
- Durable financial powers of attorney
- Advance healthcare directives, including Michigan patient advocate designations
- Business succession planning, including farm succession planning
Your estate plan should address not only what happens to your property after your death, but how your affairs will be managed should you become incapacitated during life. Attorney Howard Linden will help you to evaluate your estate planning needs in light of your unique circumstances, and create an estate plan that is designed just for you.
As an attorney with almost 50 years of experience in Michigan probate matters, attorney Howard Linden has witnessed firsthand the problems that can arise from failure to make or update an estate plan. He uses that insight to help clients create plans that will achieve their goals and avoid potential pitfalls such as probate disputes between family members or excessive taxes on the estate. If you need a Michigan lawyer to draft a will or trust, please contact our law office.
Michigan Trust and Estate Attorney
Depending on your goals, you may need a will, a trust, or both. A will is a document that passes your property outright to your intended beneficiaries. You can also name a guardian for your minor children in a will. Property passing by will must go through probate. A trust allows you to pass property outside of the probate process; after your death, the trustee you have chosen will manage the trust and distribute assets to your beneficiaries according to the terms of the trust.
There are many different types of trusts that can achieve different goals, such as minimizing taxes, protecting assets from beneficiaries’ creditors, or preserving assets for a loved one with special needs. Because there are so many types of trusts, it is important for your Michigan trust attorney to listen to what you want the trust to accomplish. Attorney Howard Linden will listen to your facts, advise you as to the trust that best meets your needs, and draft the trust based on relevant federal and state statutes and regulations.
A properly-drafted trust or will not only complies with the law, but makes your wishes clear in order to avoid confusion among your beneficiaries and prevent disputes. While careful planning and drafting minimizes the risk of will contests, sometimes probate litigation is unavoidable. Howard Linden has decades of experience representing both personal representatives of Michigan estates and family members challenging the validity of an estate plan in court.
Based in Southfield, Michigan, attorney Howard Linden has worked with clients in every Michigan county, including Oakland County, Wayne County, Washtenaw County, Macomb County, and Genesee County. To learn more about drafting a will or creating a trust in Michigan, contact our law firm for a complimentary consultation at 1-800-956-1900 or 248-358-4545.
