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Michigan Estate Planning
Thoughtful planning today to protect your family, your assets and your legacy for tomorrow. Clear, practical estate planning for individuals, families, professionals, and first responders.
Practical Michigan estate planning
A will can direct how property is distributed, nominate a personal representative, and identify a guardian for minor children. A revocable living trust can provide additional instructions for managing and distributing assets, including during incapacity, when properly funded. We help evaluate which approach fits your family, prepare coordinated documents, and review how beneficiary designations and asset titles affect the plan.
A durable financial power of attorney identifies someone you trust to handle financial matters when you cannot act or need assistance. A Michigan Patient Advocate Designation, the document often called a medical power of attorney, addresses medical decisions when the required conditions are met, while a HIPAA authorization can help appropriate people receive health information. We explain agent selection, successor agents, execution requirements, and how these documents work together.
Estate planning can identify preferred guardians for minor children, establish instructions for inherited property, and provide for loved ones who need ongoing support. For beneficiaries receiving means-tested assistance, special needs planning may help protect eligibility when carefully structured. We discuss the roles of guardians, conservators, trustees, and other decision-makers and tailor recommendations to your circumstances.
A plan must account for how your home and other real estate are titled. Depending on your goals, Michigan real estate may be addressed through a properly funded trust, a deed, or other planning techniques. We review ownership, transfer-on-death objectives, enhanced life estate (Lady Bird) deeds when appropriate, and the practical steps needed to align property with the estate plan.
Small business owners need a plan for who can operate the business, manage ownership interests, and make decisions if the owner becomes incapacitated or dies. We help coordinate estate documents with operating agreements, buy-sell provisions, designated successors, and beneficiary or ownership arrangements. The goal is to reduce uncertainty for family members, business partners, and employees.
Planning ahead can reduce uncertainty when health, independence, or care needs change. We discuss trusted financial and medical decision-makers, options for managing and protecting assets, Medicaid eligibility and long-term care planning, and the possible role of guardianship or conservatorship when advance planning is unavailable. Recommendations depend on the individual's needs, finances, and applicable law.
Flat-fee planning
Standard planning options for individuals and families. Final scope and fee are confirmed before representation begins.
Essential Will Plan
$1,250 individual$1,950 couple
A practical foundation when a revocable trust is not yet needed.
Revocable Trust Plan
$2,500 individual$3,750 couple
For families who want trust-based planning and a more complete framework.
18+ Protection Plan
$495
Financial POA, health-care designation, HIPAA and education-record authorizations.
Payment plans
Spread the cost of your plan over time.
Pay your estate plan in up to 4 equal monthly payments, with no interest and no fees.
Plan fee
$0 paid of Preview: tap a payment below to see how your progress will look. Tapping does not make a payment.
Dates count from today as an example; your actual dates are set in your fee agreement. Plans marked "from" may cost more depending on your needs. You can always pay in full at the start.
Free Michigan estate planning guide
A practical introduction to wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care planning, guardianship, and more.
Serving in law enforcement, fire, EMS, the military or healthcare? See First Responder Estate Planning for dedicated pricing.
Common questions
The Essential Will Plan is $1,250 for an individual and $1,950 for a couple. The Revocable Trust Plan is $2,500 for an individual and $3,750 for a couple. Advanced planning starts at $4,500. Final scope and fee are confirmed before representation begins.
Yes. Estate planning and first responder plans can be paid in up to 4 equal monthly payments, with no interest and no fees. The first payment is due when you sign the fee agreement and the rest every 30 days, so the plan is paid in full within 90 days. Your signing meeting can be scheduled after the third payment. See how payment plans work.
A will can direct how property is distributed, nominate a personal representative, and identify a guardian for minor children. A revocable living trust can provide additional instructions for managing and distributing assets, including during incapacity, when properly funded. We help evaluate which approach fits your family.
Yes. "Patient Advocate Designation" is the name Michigan law uses for the document many people call a medical power of attorney, a health-care power of attorney or a health-care proxy. It names the person, called your patient advocate, who can make medical decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself. It is a different document from a financial power of attorney, which covers money and property.
A durable financial power of attorney identifies someone you trust to handle financial matters when you cannot act or need assistance. A Michigan Patient Advocate Designation addresses medical decisions when the required conditions are met, and a HIPAA authorization can help appropriate people receive health information.
Michigan enhanced life estate deeds, commonly called Lady Bird Deeds, may be available as a stand-alone service or as part of a broader estate plan when appropriate. A Lady Bird Deed is not appropriate for every property or every plan; the recommended approach depends on title, beneficiaries, existing obligations and your broader objectives.
When a child becomes an adult, parents may no longer have the same automatic authority or access they had while the child was a minor. The 18+ Protection Plan is $495 and includes a durable financial power of attorney, a patient advocate designation, a HIPAA authorization and an education-record authorization where appropriate.
Ready to talk?
Contact Estate & Risk to discuss an estate plan built around your circumstances.
3310 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 265, Troy, MI 48084 · Serving Troy, Oakland County and clients across Michigan