A Michigan Estate Planning Firm For All Your Needs

Planning for your family’s future doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Effective estate planning helps you protect what you’ve worked hard to build and ensures your loved ones are taken care of when you’re gone.

At Bieber & Lubinski, PLLC, we understand that families in Michigan need straightforward legal guidance they can trust. Our skilled estate planning attorneys have helped countless families throughout Michigan create plans that give them peace of mind. We also compassionately guide families through the complicated probate process.

Essential Tools For Your Michigan Estate Plan

Our estate planning attorneys offer over 40 combined years of experience to help you create a rock-solid estate plan. We provide the personal attention you deserve to create a customized plan tailored to meet your goals.

While every situation is unique, consider the following documents to create a thorough estate plan:

• Living trust: A living trust is created to distribute your assets upon your death while avoiding a high level of court involvement. This type of trust often works together with a will but helps to avoid probate, protect inheritance and shield assets if you need assistance managing your financial affairs.
• Will: Alongside a living trust, a will is the cornerstone of your estate plan. On its own, it can govern the division and distribution of your assets upon your death. It also names the executor of your estate and a guardian if you have young children. It is important to note that this document does not govern “joint assets” or those that designate a beneficiary.
• Beneficiary designation: Retirement accounts and insurance policies designate beneficiaries and pass automatically upon your death. Ensure these assets are regularly updated to reflect any changes in the family. You will want to ensure they are aligned with your estate planning goals.
• Power of attorney for health care: A complete estate plan may include this document to name your health care power of attorney if you are unable to make medical treatment decisions on your own. You can provide detailed instructions for medical treatment, such as life-prolonging therapies.
• Durable power of attorney: This document assigns a person to manage your financial affairs if you become incapacitated or if you can no longer do so on your own. This designation can include a wide range of powers, but you have the option to limit what powers you grant to an individual. You should know that a power of attorney does not control assets in a living trust; instead, they are governed by your trustees.

Every person has different estate planning needs. Whether you are a married couple, a single parent or an individual who needs estate planning services, we can provide the quality legal representation you require.

Estate Planning FAQ

Many people recognize the importance of having a plan in place for their estate, but they are unsure of where to begin. When a loved one passes away, most people have many questions about what happens to the assets left behind. At Bieber & Lubinski, PLLC, we address these issues daily for our clients in Warren and throughout Michigan. Here are examples of questions we are asked often:

What do you do about the assets and debts of a loved one when they pass?

Of course, you first must cope with your grief and the responsibilities of making funeral and burial arrangements. Then, you can call our office to verify your needs and schedule a consultation with an attorney. You generally need to collect the individual’s documents, such as the most recent bank and credit card statements, deeds and any will or trust.

Does a will avoid probate court?

No. We like to call a will simply a document that tells the judge who you want to receive your assets. To avoid probate, please don’t hesitate to contact our office. Our lawyers will assist you in determining the necessary steps to take.

Who inherits my assets if I die without a will or trust?

If you die with assets in your name alone, without a proper will or trust, state laws decide who gets your property. Therefore, distant relatives or someone you don’t know may inherit your assets. And again, even the state may get your property under certain circumstances.

How does a trust work?

It’s too complicated to describe entirely here, but essentially, it’s a legal document that outlines who will inherit your assets after you pass away and who will be responsible for managing the trust. Further, the probate court is bypassed if the trust holds all assets.

What ultimately costs more: probate or a trust?

Usually, going through probate costs thousands of dollars more than using a properly drafted trust.

Contact A Michigan Estate Planning Lawyer Today

Don’t wait to protect your family’s future or get the probate guidance you need during a difficult time. Contact Bieber & Lubinski, PLLC, by calling 586-754-1450 or completing our online form to schedule a consultation with an experienced attorney today.