Providing Creative Solutions For Your Legal Needs
As I celebrated my fifth-year anniversary in the practice of law recently, the occasion caused me to reflect on what may be ahead for me as well as what has already transpired. And if the past five years are any measure, then I count myself as one lucky guy when I look to the future. One accomplishment that I am…
The early stages of a divorce are especially difficult for clients because of all the uncertainty caused by separation and divorce – where will the parties and children live; how will family expenses be paid; and, more importantly, when will each parent have time with their children? All of these crucial issues need to be decided quickly and on a…
As an estate planning attorney, it seems that about 75% of my clients (or potential clients) don’t have a will – a percentage that continually surprises me with so much at stake. Not having a will is particularly risky for parents with minor children. To die without a will is to die intestate. Without the direction that a will provides,…
In my experience as a family law attorney, I’ve learned that a client facing an imminent divorce – whether my client plans to file for divorce or whether my client has been served with divorce papers – feels less stress and anxiety if I explain the divorce process and what to expect, even before the matter gets to court. My…
In Part 1 of this blog series, I discussed the basic issues my clients need to consider before a divorce goes to court, such as living arrangements and monthly expenses. For Part 2 of the series, I will discuss some equally important issues related to the emotional side of divorce – issues that can be just as challenging as the…
Noah and Emma were moving along pretty well with their life plan – two adorable children, a home in a good neighborhood, minimal debt and some money in their 401-Ks. Like most young couples, they worried about their children should the unthinkable happen – that both parents die at the same time. While they both enjoyed good health and a…
It is becoming increasingly common in the United States for babies to be born to unwed couples – a little more than 40 percent of all births in this country were to unmarried mothers in 2014, compared with less than 20 percent in 1980. That is a sobering statistic for single mothers because studies show they face greater economic challenges…
Noah and Emma felt great peace about naming Emma’s sister as guardian of their two young children through their wills, but they were grappling with the implications of using the same will for distribution of their assets. (See Part 1 here) Under Michigan law, beneficiaries of a will receive their full inheritance when they turn 18 years old – and…
For Harry and Sally, children entering adulthood was another parenthood milestone. They gradually accepted the need to talk with their children as full-fledged adults, particularly regarding family matters that could impact the children’s lives. Although uncomfortable, those discussions focused on decisions that would have to be made if Harry and Sally became disabled or died. Matters were complicated somewhat by…
I love practicing law in West Michigan because it puts me in touch with some really wonderful and humble people. You would feel the same way too if you had a chance to hear how a number of my clients discuss sharing their earthly belongings in their final statement — their Trust or Will. Some clients are shy, almost to…