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WHERE THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S A WAY TO WRITE A WILL: EXAMINING THE CHALLENGES OF HOLOGRAPHIC AND ELECTRONIC WILLS
In 1948, the heirs of a Saskatchewan farmer walked into a courtroom with a tractor fenderin hand. The farmer, George Cecil Harris, scratched the words “In case I die in this mess, Ileave all to the wife” on June 8 as he lay trapped under the tractor. Saskatchewan law at the time allowed handwritten wills as long…
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ESTATE PLANNING FOR BLENDED FAMILIES – HIS, HERS, OURS, AND THEIRS
It’s not a surprise that second marriages can be complicated. On the one hand, the support of a new partner is often welcome after losing a spouse to divorce or death. On the other, it means combining assets and blending children from two different marriages into one family unit. The Brady Bunch made it look…
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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE FAILS TO ADMINISTER THE ESTATE?
When a loved one passes away, dealing with the administrative matters of an estate can be a big job. But when someone entrusted as the estate’s executor or personal representative fails to administer it according to the law and the deceased’s wishes, the experience can become frustrating for everyone involved. Thankfully, Michigan law protects the…
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PROTECTING tHE FAMILY COTTAGE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
A hundred years ago, an immigrant couple built a beachside cottage and raised a large family there. The kids grew up and built their own cottages nearby, and the beach became a kind of communal area where family reunions would happen spontaneously. As the family expanded into a third generation, questions about ownership of these…
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THE EMOTIONAL JOURNEY OF BECOMING THE GUARDIAN OF AN ELDERLY PARENT
One of life’s major transitions arrives when a parent’s health declines to the point that they can no longer care for themselves, and one of their children becomes their guardian. It may happen suddenly–perhaps after a medical emergency requires a prolonged recovery period. Other times, the realization of the need is more gradual: You may…
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PLANNING FOR MINOR CHILDREN – WHAT EVERY PARENT NEEDS TO KNOW
As you plan for your family’s future, it’s important to think about what will happen to your children if you become incapacitated or pass away. In Michigan, minors can’t directly inherit property or assets. This means it is crucial that you create an estate plan that takes this into account. A revocable living trust is…
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SPOUSAL RIGHTS AFTER MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, OR SEPARATION – DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE!
When we reach certain milestones in life like marriage, the birth of a child or grandchild, divorce, or second marriage, we all know that we should update our estate plans. It can be challenging to make time to take a comprehensive look at how a divorce or remarriage can affect our plans. But in this…
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ESTATE PLANNING AND CRYPTOCURRENCY
In the last few years, cryptocurrency has been all the rage in investing. More than 15% of Americans have traded in digital currency, looking for a reliable long-term way to maintain value. Because digital currencies are limited in number, governments can’t manipulate them, and digital currency isn’t subject to artificial inflation or devaluation. While the…
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SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS— RECENT CHANGES THAT MAY IMPACT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
A special needs trust can be a crucial tool to protect the financial well-being of a disabled person. However, when considering the creation of a special needs trust, recent changes in the law are significantly impacting special needs trusts. Worryingly, gaps in the relevant new law leave many questions unanswered. This means that families should…
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WHAT THE BUILD BACK BETTER ACT COULD MEAN FOR FUTURE IRS AUDITS
Co-Author: Tomasz Dow The Build Back Better Act is currently making its way through the legislative process, with the U.S. House of Representatives approving the legislation in November 2021. The legislation is now being considered in the U.S. Senate. Among other provisions, including paid family leave and clean energy initiatives, the Build Back Better Act includes…
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Recent Posts
- MICHIGAN FAMILIES ARE WATCHING EVERY DOLLAR. DON’T LET PROBATE TAKE THE ONES YOU CAN STILL SAVE.
- CAN AI WRITE YOUR ESTATE PLAN? WHY MICHIGAN FAMILIES STILL NEED AN ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEY
- MICHIGAN GUARDIANSHIP AT 18 FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD) AND DOWN SYNDROME: PROTECTING SSI, MEDICAID, AND YOUR CHILD’S FUTURE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS
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- WHY YOU MAY NEED TO OPEN AN ANCILLARY PROBATE ESTATE IN MICHIGAN OR FLORIDA
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