Providing Creative Solutions For Your Legal Needs
In today's digital world, you can find countless videos on social media that promises to teach you how to handle legal matters without a lawyer. Estate planning is no exception. While the idea of creating your own estate plan might seem appealing, especially if you...
Michigan law starts with the premise that both parents have an obligation to support their children financially. Michigan uses the “Income Shares Model,” which requires child support to be paid based on the needs of the children and the financial resources of the parents. From that baseline, the amount of support can be modified based on several factors, including but not limited to the parenting…
When I meet with a potential new Estate Planning client, one of the first questions I hear is, “Do I really need a will?” That question is usually followed by comments such as, “I don’t have tons of money,” or “If I die, my spouse will just get everything,” or “If my spouse and I both die, my parents will…
As difficult as it may be to think about someone else raising your child, choosing a guardian for your child is an invaluable gift. By selecting a guardian with the same values, morals, religious beliefs, and commitment to education that you have, you will ensure that your child will grow up to be the person you want him or her…
Your attorney advised you well. A joint will is one document that distributes the assets of both husband and wife. When the first spouse dies, the will is taken through probate for that spouse, and then when the second spouse dies, the will is taken through probate for the second spouse. The drawbacks of a joint will far outweigh the…
For a formal, typed, will (called an “attested” will), there are three requirements that must be met for the will to be valid and enforceable: the testator must have intended to create a will (this is usually only an issue if there are questions about mental competency); the will must be signed (although it can be signed by proxy); and…
Yes, if certain requirements are met. In order to be valid, a handwritten, or holographic, will, must meet the following criteria: the material (i.e. important) provisions must be in the testator’s handwriting. The testator is the person making the will; the holographic will must be signed in the testator’s handwriting; and the holographic will must be dated. Although handwritten, or…
A will (often called a Last Will and Testament) is a set of instructions that allow you to distribute your assets upon your death. You can also set up guardianship for your minor children. Once the instructions in the will have been carried out, the will ceases to exist. A trust is a fiduciary relationship with respect to property in…
The only way to be absolutely certain that the person(s) you want to be guardian of your minor children is selected in the event that both you and your partner pass is to have a valid will in place. Under Michigan law, if both parents pass and a will has not been executed, a judge will decide who becomes the…
To fund a trust means to retitle certain assets in the name of the trust. Your trust only controls those assets that are “owned” by the trust. If your trust is funded properly, the trust will control the distribution of your assets when you die; assets not owned by the trust may not be distributed as provided in the trust.…