Probate & Estate Administration
ESTATE PLANNING FOR D.I.N.K.S. (Dual Income, No Kids) If we have no children, why do we need an estate plan? It is a common misunderstanding that people without children do not really need an estate plan. The following lays out several reasons why even couples...
Probate & Estate Administration
MI-POST: WHAT ARE THEY AND WHY & WHEN MAY I WANT TO SIGN ONE? Michigan recently joined over 40 other states in adopting what are called Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment, or POST, or MI-POST. In some states these are referred to as POLSTS, an...
Probate & Estate Administration
Give Me Some RESPECT (Is Your Estate Plan In Order ?) Well, it has happened again. A couple of years ago I wrote on the lack of a Will, and its consequences, after the sudden death of iconic pop star Prince. With the recent passing of the Queen of Soul,...
Probate & Estate Administration
CELLPHONE WILLS – IS THIS A GOOD IDEA? You may have recently read or heard about the decision of the Michigan Court of Appeals issued in mid-July, 2018. It held that a “Final Note” which was found on the decedent’s cellphone did, indeed, constitute a valid...
Probate & Estate Administration
LADY BIRD DEEDS – WHAT ARE THEY AND WHY SHOULD I CARE ? Michigan, and most other states, recognize what are commonly called “Lady Bird” or enhanced life estate deeds. These are deeds that are typically drafted for estate planning purposes, designed to place title to...
Probate & Estate Administration
ADMINISTERING THE SMALL PROBATE ESTATE – PART II In the prior article I discussed expedited procedures available under Michigan law to deal with a small estate (less than $22,000), where the deceased generally had only clothing and cash of $500 or less, was due a...
