Do I Need to Update My Estate Plan?

Although the law doesn’t require re-signing, the individual or organization that’s presented with a power of attorney may have its own policy – it may not accept or honor a power of attorney that’s older than a certain length of time.

For example, you may be named in a power of attorney by some relative or friend to allow you to assist that individual with his or her banking needs. Even if the power of attorney  at issue meets all the legal requirements, their bank may have an internal policy that it won’t honor any estate plan document that’s dated 10 years, or some other length of time, prior to the date. The bank’s policy may create problem, especially if the grantor of the power of attorney is in poor physical or mental health and can’t sign a new power of attorney.  

Learn more about how to revise your estate plan documents after a long period of time here.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you’re interested in learning more about estate planning, please contact estate planning attorneys in Ann Arbor at 734-665-4441.

Am I Required to Revise My Estate Plan Documents After a Certain Length of Time?

This question is asked by clients and perspective clients on a regular basis. It’s an important question to discuss with an attorney.

There’s no law that says trusts, wills, or powers of attorney, will expire after a certain time period if not re-signed or replaced by more recent documents. However, this doesn’t fully answer the question. 

Learn more about how to revise your estate plan documents after a long period of time here.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you’re interested in learning more about estate planning, please contact estate planning attorneys in Ann Arbor at 734-665-4441.

Recent Revisions to Michigan’s Discovery Rules in Civil Cases Also Impact Probate Proceedings

The hallmark of the new rules is the implementation of “initial disclosures” shortly after the commencement of a case. Parties in a civil case must disclose the factual basis of their claim of defense, the legal theories on which they rely for their case, possible witnesses or the identity of people with discoverable information, their computation of damages, and the location or types of documents in their possession that are relevant to the case. All of the above-information must be produced by a party early in a civil lawsuit even without being asked. 

Learn more about the recent revisions to Michigan’s discovery rules in civil cases here.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you’re interested in learning more about how the new revisions affect your case, please contact a probate lawyer in Ann Arbor at 734-665-4441.

Before You File a Petition in Probate Court, Learn About The Recent Revisions to Michigan’s Discovery Rules

Effective January 1, 2020, litigation in Michigan’s state courts underwent extensive changes because of revisions to Michigan Court Rules pertaining to civil discovery. These changes overhauled the discovery process in Michigan making it similar to the procedures in federal court. Some of these changes impact probate litigation and should be considered part of the overall strategy before filing a petition in probate court to initiate a probate proceeding. 

Learn more about the recent revisions to Michigan’s discovery rules in civil cases here.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you’re interested in learning more about how the new revisions affect your case, please contact a probate lawyer in Ann Arbor at 734-665-4441.

What is a Simple Will?

A simple will is basically instructions to the probate judge as to who gets what and who’s in charge. Without a will, your property would pass according to the laws of the state where you reside and must go through the probate process. This takes time, money and requires notice to family members.

Avoiding probate court after one dies saves money and time and keeps ones’ assets confidential.

Learn more here!

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you’re interested in learning more about estate planning, please contact estate planning attorneys in Ann Arbor at 734-665-4441.

Three Plays in Estate Planning

Some people come to an attorney’s office wanting a living trust just because their neighbor has one. Many attorneys believe that everyone needs a trust and they don’t always discuss the other plays in the estate planning playbook.

We believe in explaining the three plays in estate planning to help clients to earn a first down prior to scoring a touchdown with a living trust.

These three plays are: 1) a simple will, 2) a beneficiary designation and a “Ladybird” deed, and or 3) a living trust. 

Learn more here!

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you’re interested in learning more about estate planning, please contact estate planning attorneys in Ann Arbor at 734-665-4441.

The State of Michigan Provides Rental Assistance Program

For over a year, the federal and state government, put in place moratoriums on evictions to help blunt the impact of the Covid pandemic. These moratoriums, along with aid to renters and other Covid assistance, helped prevent a repeat of the mass of foreclosures and evictions that marked the Great Recession. Even though millions of people were laid off en masse during the pandemic, these steps held off the feared explosion in evictions. Now that the moratoriums have ended and aid programs have run their course, bills are coming due. 

Need federal assistance? Learn more here!

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

If you’re facing eviction after moratoriums ending, there’s financial assistance available to you. Contact our real estate attorneys in Ann Arbor to answer your questions. 734-665-4441