Probate and Estate

Detroit Estate Planning Attorneys ▪ Estate Administration Lawyers

Essential Legal Planning: a Holistic Approach
At Mall Malisow & Cooney near Detroit, our estate planning attorneys use a holistic approach to help each client develop a flexible and personalized essential legal plan.

It is important that you work with a law firm you are comfortable with. For that reason, we suggest you contact our office and make arrangements for a consultation, at which we will discuss your goals, your needs, and your responsibilities. We want to help you know your options, make use of all available resources and ensure the highest possible quality of life, security and protection for you and your family.

An Estate Plan – Not Just for the Wealthy
Everyone over age eighteen should have at least some basic legal planning in place such as a Durable Power of Attorney and a Medical Power of Attorney. This basic, but essential plan is a responsible beginning. Even modest estates are better planned through the use of a Will and maybe a Trust. Whatever your situation, your planning should be reviewed periodically to reflect changes in your personal circumstance as well as changes in the law.

Trusts and Wills
A Will is one of the essential legal planning tools. When used, a Will can help ensure that your assets, heirlooms, and personal items are distributed in accordance with your wishes. Alternatively, even people with modest income and assets may benefit from planning with a Trust, such as a Revocable Trust, that can provide for proper distribution without the need for Probate Court involvement.

Durable Power of Attorney
This simple, but very powerful legal document allows you to appoint a person of your choice to help you manage your property and financial affairs if you become incapacitated. If you do not have a Durable Power of Attorney in place, you risk having a Probate Court select and appoint a Conservator to manage your affairs for you.

Health Care Powers of Attorney/Living Wills/Advance Directives
If you are unable to make decisions regarding medical or mental health care, a Health Care Power of Attorney gives a person of your choosing the power to make decisions, including life-sustaining treatment, in accordance with your wishes and preferences. If you do not have a Health Care Power of Attorney, a probate court may appoint a Guardian to make those decisions for you. In addition, if you do not make your preferences clear regarding life-sustaining treatment, then you risk having treatment provided that prolongs your life longer than you wish.

Probate and Estate Administration
Our lawyers and staff handle Probate and Estate Administration matters with efficiency and sensitivity, whether the deceased individual had a Will or died intestate (without a Will).

Durable Powers of Attorney

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