Probate & Estate Planning

PROBATE & ESTATE PLANNING

Estate planning is not just for the wealthy—it is essential for all individuals and their loved ones. Many individuals may have already heard about the potential benefits of having a will or a trust, but we educate and advise our clients on the need for a broader estate plan that protects their assets and stays true to their wishes. Great Lakes Legal Group has experience in preparing wills, trusts, general powers of attorney as well as special powers of attorney, advanced health care directives, guardianships and conservatorships.

Trusts and Wills

A will and a trust are instruments a person can use to bequeath property to their heirs or safeguard property during their lifetime. Without the appropriate documents in place, state law provides certain default rules for how an estate will be distributed; You should become knowledgeable about what those are and if they are adequate for your requirements—often times, they are not. A properly drafted will or trust can be a useful tool, but requires special attention to individual circumstances specific to you and your loved ones. The ultimate goal is to avoid probate. However, this does not always happen. Even with a will or trust, the probate court can become involved- and the process can be burdensome. We can provide peace of mind. Feel free to contact our law firm if you are considering a will or a trust—we can help you work through your questions.

Powers of Attorney

Powers of attorney are extremely powerful legal tools that will allow you to control who has the authority to make certain decisions for you if you are unable to do so. A power of attorney, for instances, allows you to select an individual to pay your bills, take care of accounts, or buy/sell property. A power of attorney can also be used to authorize an individual to make certain medical decisions on your behalf. Both the traditional power of attorney and a medical power of attorney are essential to any estate plan. You can trust our law firm to provide all of your options so you can make the right decision personal to you.

Estate Administration

Our law firm has the experience to handle some of the most complex and sensitive matters concerning administration of estates. We understand that this can be a stressful time. We are committed to easing the burden on our clients and giving them peace of mind, while we help them navigate the necessary processes required for estate administration. Part of this process includes valuing assets, drafting and filing probate court required documents, reviewing existing trusts and wills, counseling personal representatives on their fiduciary duties and communicating with beneficiaries.

Guardianship/Conservatorship

We have substantial experience in all aspects of the guardianship and conservatorship processes, which may become necessary when a person is no longer able to responsibly oversee their personal affairs and/or finances. These processes are commenced in cases where there are no existing powers of attorney- or in cases where there are disputes. Our law firm has represented numerous families of incapacitated persons seeking the court appointment of guardians and conservators. We also help individuals seeking to object to the inappropriate appointment of guardians and conservators.

Wills, Powers of Attorney, Trusts, Estates and Probate Pro On the Go!

Some clients may have physical limitations or driving impediments that make travel difficult. Trust that we can work together to find a suitable arrangement and bring the office to you! We understand the importance of our services and believe it is important to serve your needs at your convenience. Don’t let any physical limitations prevent you from seeking the appropriate legal advice for a will, power of attorney, trust or other estate administration matter!

Our expertise in wills, trusts, probate court processes and estate planning is recognized by our peers. Attorney[JC1] Jehan Crump-Gibson serves on the Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s (ICLE) Probate and Estate Planning Advisory Board. Attorney Ayanna Alcendor has been invited to discuss her expertise on Partnerships and Single Member LLCs in the Estate Planning Context by ICLE. You can also see Attorney Alcendor speak with Kelli King-Penner of the ICLE, as she discusses how to avoid trustee conflicts in estate plans involving family businesses here: https://www.icle.org/modules/seminars/video.aspx?ID=1_vk0m4ipu

Additionally, you can listen as Attorney Jehan Crump-Gibson discusses the importance of estate planning with Personal Finance Coach & Business Consultant, Fo Alexander here: https://soundcloud.com/fo-alexander/ep14