Michigan Business Law, Estate Planning, Elder Law and Wills Lawyers

Willis Law Firm

491 West South Street Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007 USA

 (269) 743-1978 or (866) 473-5636
 (269) 492-1042

www.wwplc.com
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Law Firm Overview Free Consultation

Willis Law is an estate planning law firm with convenient office locations in Michigan. Our firm is guided by the principles of a Christian model of service with a mission to protect clients as they make the best decisions for their family and future. Formed by sons of the current Van Buren County probate judge, they are lifelong residents of the area and are intimately familiar with West Michigan's court system, judges and attorneys.

Planning for the future is an important step to protect your family, your investments and financial security. It can also ensure that your wishes are followed in the event of incapacitation or at the time of death. While making arrangements for the unexpected can be difficult, we will take the time to understand your unique and individual needs. At Michigan Estate Lawyers, our legal team provides sound counsel, advocacy and support to protect your rights related to estate and Medicaid planning, estate and trust administration, and probate litigation. We handle unique and complex areas of planning, including assisting lottery winners and other monetary prize winners plan to protect their winnings.

Our clients range from young couples who are just starting out, to couples facing retirement or families who have suffered a devastating disability or death. Turning points are a good time to start thinking about the future and to make adjustments after unexpected events. Our attorneys know that every family faces unique challenges. We will take the time to review your circumstances, answer your questions and develop a comprehensive estate planning solution that protects your rights, your investments and the future of your family.

Practice Areas

Practice Areas Description

- Wills and Trusts

Wills and trusts are the building blocks of estate planning. There are various options and planning alternatives that can help you accomplish your individual planning goals. At Michigan Estate Lawyers, we understand that the process can be difficult and even complicated. We will take the time to answer your questions and address your unique challenges. Our priority is to help you implement these legal documents to establish a solid foundation for your family's future.

- Elder Law

Elder planning is a body of law intended to protect the interests of the aging population and their loved ones. Combining estates, financial and medical planning you can devise a comprehensive solution to protect investments and security for yourself or a loved one. At Michigan Estate Lawyers, we are sensitive to the difficult decisions families must make and provide informed, sound advocacy to protect clients and their families.

- Medicaid Planning

Medicaid planning is an important part of elder law and disability law, allowing individuals to plan for their future security. At Michigan Estate Lawyers, we are sensitive to the difficult decisions that must be made later in life. Providing informed, strategic options, we can help to devise appropriate solutions to protect your investments and your loved ones. We will take the time to understand your unique concerns and develop a long-term solution for you and your family.

- Disability Planning

Protecting your loved ones is one of the most critical aspects of sound estate planning. When you have a disabled loved one, it is even more important to take necessary steps to provide monetary support as well as to create appropriate guardianships to protect their best interests. At Michigan Estate Lawyers, we have extensive experience assisting individuals and families with planning for the immediate and future needs of disabled persons.

- Asset Protection / Cash Awards

After winning the lottery or collecting a cash award, you want to make sure your rights are protected and that you take appropriate steps to minimize tax consequences. Our lottery lawyers advise you on how to protect the value of cash awards during your lifetime, and to preserve their value for your heirs. Some solutions include: gifting cash or other assets before your death, transfer on death (TOD) or payable on death (POD) bank accounts, holding assets by joint tenancy with right of survivorship (JTROS), holding assets through a tenancy in common, retirement plans and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs).

- Probate Administration

The probate process will streamline how assets are distributed and ensures that the proper beneficiaries collect. All assets of an estate that do not automatically transfer at death are subject to probate; however, certain non-probate assets can bypass the probate process including: proceeds from life insurance policies, IRA accounts, 401(k) accounts and other tax deferred retirement plan. s We can assist you in the creation of a will or trust or help you confirm that your non-probate assets have named beneficiaries, allowing the assets to avoid probate.

- Trust Administration

If you decide to set up a trust, you should appoint a dependable person to serve as the trustee. You should make sure the person you select is willing and able to take on the responsibilities of being a trustee. Qualities to look for when choosing a trustee include the following: ability to represent your interests fully, absence of a conflict of interest, confidence to handle challenges against your estate, basic facility with financial matters and personal time to dedicate to your trust administration. Our legal team provides advice on the selection of a trustee and offers guidance to chosen trustees about their fiduciary obligations. We also serve as trustees when requested.

- Guardianship / Conservatorship

A conservatorship or guardianship proceeding gives a conservator or guardian the right to make decisions for a person who lacks capacity or sufficient understanding to communicate. When you have an aging relative or when someone you love is no longer able to protect themselves, you may want to consider a conservatorship or guardianship proceeding. At Michigan Estate Lawyers, we offer experienced counsel and advocacy to help families through conservatorship and guardianship proceedings to manage care or finances. A combined conservatorship and guardianship action will entrust another individual to manage the person and the finances of a disabled person.

- Living Wills

Many people choose to make a living will, and designate a health care proxy and durable power of attorney at the same time that they make their legal will, which specifies heirs and the distribution of their assets. Willis Law, Attorneys & Counselors, have a dedicated team of experienced attorneys in West Michigan. A living will can be drafted along with your Kalamazoo or Grand Rapids legal will to ensure that your loved ones are provided for, and have the assurance that they are making the right decisions.

Attorneys

Mr. Michael J. Willis Attorney Estate Planning

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