Estate Planning

Estate litigation may be initiated for a number of different reasons. Some family members may question whether a will is valid or whether a testator had legal capacity at the time that they drafted estate documents. Other times, family members may worry about how the...

It is easy for an individual to end up overwhelmed by the options available while estate planning and also all of the steps involved in crafting an estate plan from scratch. From the numerous documents to the various issues that could compromise their validity,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...