Michigan Probate Attorney Explains Estate Planning

by | Jul 17, 2017 | Family Law | 0 comments

Many families do not take the time to sort out how their estate and property should be handled once they pass on, but even a small amount of estate planning is beneficial. Most people think that estate planning involves simply arranging how assets and property should be disposed of or bequeathed upon the owner’s death. However, an experienced Michigan probate attorney knows that proper estate planning also includes provisions to manage healthcare and finances upon the owner’s temporary incapacitation.

Each owner and family estate plan should be crafted individually with the help of a knowledgeable attorney, but here are some basic components:

Will

As part of the estate planning, a will is a primary document that lays out the foundation of the plan. The will is the document that allows you as the deceased (the testator) to name the heirs to whom you will bequeath your property upon your death. It can also specify who will care for your minor children and who will be responsible for managing the affairs of the estate (the executor), as well as how you wish your remains to be laid to rest. If a property is passed via a will, probate is an issue.

Trust

When you establish a trust, you as the trustor act as the trustee during your lifetime and appoint a successor trustee to fulfill its terms upon your passing. Since there is no transfer of title for any asset or property within the trust, there may not necessarily be probate the property is owned by the trust and does not change hands upon your death. Rather, the trustor, and subsequently the successor trustee, manages the assets in accordance with the terms of the trust.

Advance Health Care Directive

An advance health care directive provides instructions as to the type of health care options that will be administered to the person in the event of his or her incapacitation. You can name a specific person who will be entrusted to make medical decisions on your behalf, and leave instructions as to the nature of treatments you may receive or refuse to receive.

Contact Us

For more information on how Michigan estate planning works, contact a Michigan probate attorney by calling the Law Offices of Christopher Trainor & Associates at 800-961-8477.

Detroit, MI – Multi-Vehicle Wreck w/Injuries on M-5 at I-696

Detroit, MI (November 26, 2023) - After an accident early on Sunday evening, November 26, a local Detroit roadway was nearly completely closed. Multiple right lanes, along with the freeway ramp, of eastbound Michigan Highway 5 at the I-696 exit were closed due to the...

St. Clair Co, MI – Injury-Causing Collision on 31 Mile Rd at Wadhams

St. Clair County, MI (November 26, 2023) - On Sunday afternoon, November 26, a three-vehicle crash resulted in at least one injury at the scene and closed down a local highway, according to local authorities. Several drivers were involved in a collision that shut down...

Detroit, MI – I-75 Site of Injury Car Accident at Adams Rd

Detroit, MI (November 26, 2023) - An accident involving at least two drivers happened on a local highway on Sunday, November 26, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation, resulting in a handful of potential victim injuries. At about 5:35 p.m., EMTs,...

Warren, MI – Injuries Reported in House Fire on 14 Mile Rd

Warren, MI (November 26, 2023) - According to officials with the Detroit Fire Department, a handful of victims were rescued from a home fire that occurred on Sunday, November 26. A house on 14 Mile Road near the Schoenherr Freeway in Warren caught fire at around 5:00...

Detroit, MI – Driver Arrested After Injury Wreck on I-96 at Telegraph

Detroit, MI (November 26, 2023) - Police say that an intoxicated driver caused a rear-end collision on I-96 early Sunday morning, and a man from Southfield is now in custody. Just before 3:30 a.m. in the morning, the Michigan State Police fielded several reports of an...

Madison Heights, MI – Woman Dies in Head-on Crash on 14 Mile Rd

Madison Heights, MI (November 26, 2023) - Late Saturday afternoon in Madison Heights, a woman in her 70s lost her life in a head-on collision. A westbound motorist crossed the centerline and collided with a vehicle driven by a 77-year-old woman, who was traveling east...

Detroit, MI – Three Hospitalized in Hit-and-Run at Schoolcraft & Southfield

Detroit, MI (November 26, 2023) - On Saturday night, a vehicle in Detroit struck three pedestrians, leaving them in serious condition. The incident reportedly took place on the western side of the city, at the intersection of Schoolcraft and the Southfield Freeway, at...

Mason Co, MI – Two Killed in Plane Crash at Mason Co Airport

Mason County, MI (November 26, 2023) - On Sunday morning, just after departure, an aircraft crashed and caught fire, killing two persons. No names were immediately given for the two victims of the collision near Ludington's Mason County Airport. Mason-Oceana 911...

Detroit, MI – Multi-Vehicle Wreck w/Injuries on I-75 After 14 Mile Rd

Detroit, MI (November 25, 2023) - After an accident early on Saturday morning, November 25, a local Detroit roadway was nearly completely closed. Several right lanes of southbound Interstate 75 after the 14 Mile Road exit were closed due to the accident at roughly...

White Lake Twnshp, MI – Gas Explosion, Injuries at Bogie Lake & M-59

White Lake Township, MI (November 25, 2023) - White Lake Township was the scene of a reported gas explosion on Friday night, November 25, and authorities are still looking into the incident. The incident took place near the intersection of Bogie Lake Road and Michigan...