Estate Planning

Michiganders work hard to provide for their families. Hard work isn't enough, unfortunately, for those who fail to make an estate plan. Estate planning is not just for the rich; parents with minor children need estate plans, as do people who prefer not to pay more taxes than necessary, and people who like to be in control of decisions regarding their health and assets. In a nutshell, everyone can benefit from an estate plan designed especially for their needs.

An estate plan:

• Allows parents to decide who will care for their children and control their property if the parents are unable to do so.
• Helps people with significant assets to minimize the tax burden on their heirs.
• Lets small business owners do succession planning to promote the future success of their businesses.
• Permits people to leave assets to people who are unrelated to them and to favorite charities
• Allows people to have control over their own medical decisions in the event that they become incapacitated and can't express their wishes.
• Can minimize the need for probate involvement in an estate.
• Preserves family harmony by making the deceased's wishes clear and avoiding bitter disputes over what he or she would have wanted.
• Offers people peace of mind, because they know their family will be provided for after their death.

Whatever your reasons for wanting to make or update an estate plan, attorney J.D. Praasterink can help. By taking the time to explore your needs and goals with you, J.D. will identify the estate-planning tools that are best suited to achieving the results you want and create a customized estate plan just for you. These tools include wills, revocable living trusts and insurance trusts, powers of attorney, patient advocate designations, living wills, and more.

No one ever regrets having an estate plan, but many people regret not having made one. Contact Praasterink Law, PLC today to set up a consultation and take the first step toward peace of mind.

Probate

Probate practice is a complex area of Michigan law that lay people often find confusing. Probate is made more difficult to deal with by the fact that Michiganders typically encounter the probate court when they are grieving the loss of a loved one, or faced with the need to appoint a guardian or conservator for a loved one who is no longer able to care for him or herself.

In addition, because the probate court deals with the protection of people's rights, there are many legal requirements in place to make sure those rights are safeguarded. An unwary guardian or personal representative of an estate can easily miss a deadline or make an inadvertent error that can lead to personal liability.

For these reasons, most people prefer to have the assistance of a knowledgeable Michigan probate attorney when dealing with the Mackinac County Probate Court or other probate courts in the eastern Upper Peninsula. Attorney J.D Praasterink offers assistance with:

• Estate administration
• Trust administration
• Will contests
• Guardianships
• Conservatorships
• Probate litigation and disputes

Praasterink Law, PLC can guide you through the administration of your loved one's estate or other probate matter with knowledge and compassion. Contact St. Ignace attorney J.D. Praasterink today for a free consultation. Learn what steps you need to take, and get the information and support you need as you navigate the Michigan probate system.