When you think about the future, you need to consider what may happen if your health fails as you age or what will occur after you die. Your estate plan can protect you later in life and can help you leave a meaningful legacy for your closest family members and...
Estate Planning
Will Michigan Medicaid come after your estate once you die?
Once you reach retirement age, you can count on Medicare and supplemental insurance to help you cover your basic medical expenses. For some retired adults, Medicare will be sufficient for their needs. Others will unfortunately realize that Medicare coverage alone is...
Common estate planning mistakes that make probate take longer
Probate can seem like an intimidating word as you consider your estate plan. You may hear people talking about probate as a long ordeal that can make dealing with the loss of a loved one challenging. You may have friends and family who go to great lengths to avoid...
3 options for giving your home to your children
For most of us, our home is the most valuable thing we own -- in more ways than one. Not only is the average Grand Rapids house worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, but if you raised your family there, the house is full of memories. You and your spouse might be...
2022 is here. Time to get started on estate planning
Depending on when you read this, the year 2022 is just days away, or it has already begun. New Year's resolutions are a popular tradition because the start of a new year feels like the perfect time to make changes in your life or tackle an important project that you...
4 documents to update during or right after a divorce
When we make our wills we typically name our spouse as the person who should make our medical decisions and inherit our assets. A divorce means that you may need to revisit these documents and update them. The four main documents to update While there are many...
3 reasons you should name contingent beneficiaries in your estate plan
Many people would rather power through the process of developing an estate plan as quickly as possible. It can be challenging for some to confront their own mortality when designing documents that reflect their end-of-life decisions. This process, however, is...
5 essential elements of an estate plan
Estate planning looks different for each individual and may be straightforward or sophisticated, depending on the size of your estate and the complexity of your final wishes. In the absence of an estate plan, your family may become responsible for decisions they...
Common causes of a contested will
If a family member or beneficiary contests a person's will, the resulting legal process will delay the administration of the estate. Understanding the factors that lead to these conflicts can help reduce their likelihood. These are the most common reasons for...
Improving your disabled child’s life with a special needs trust
As the parent of a child with a developmental disability, you understand the needs of your son or daughter better than anyone. Still, you probably have some uncertainty about your child’s future. If you are looking to improve your child’s adult life, you may want to...