Kalamazoo Estate Planning and Elder Law Lawyers
There are unique legal considerations for all of us as we get older. Whether you are interested in establishing your estate plan or looking at long-term care services and Medicare/Medicaid, you will benefit greatly from legal counsel. You need an experienced legal team with the compassion, estate planning knowledge. Our lawyer have these attributes. We help clients sensibly address estate planning goals with appropriate tactics.
At the Herbert Machnik Law Firm, we understand that every person has different goals and ideas. When creating an estate plan, it is important that the documentation will allow your executor to fully understand your directions. Therefore, we take a comprehensive but simple and easy-to-understand approach to elder law issues that allow you to thoroughly plan for your family.
Our approach also allows you to determine the appropriate tools to use to guide others in caring for you in the event of an emergency. Emergency estate planning instruments include powers of attorney and Patient Advocate Designation forms. Similarly, our legal team helps family members address the process and complex decisions under Michigan law when a conservatorship or guardianship may be necessary. We serve Michigan clients with offices in Kalamazoo and Jackson.
Estate Planning Attorneys With The Skill To Address Your Goals
Estate planning involves some of the most important decisions we make in our lives, but it also can be one of the most confusing and frustrating processes we encounter. Choosing the right estate planning attorney – one in whom you have confidence and who understands you and your family – is vitally important. Our full-service experience with wills, trusts and a wide variety estate planning instruments allows us to help you evaluate the proper options to serve your inheritance planning goals, as well as the nuances involved in your individual and family circumstances.
We can help you create a sound, comprehensive estate plan, using tools such as:
- Trust planning and probate avoidance
- Last will and testament planning
- Durable powers of attorney
- Patient Advocate Designation forms
- Special needs (amenities) planning
- Long-term care and nursing home costs planning
- Guardianships and conservatorships
Our initial meeting allows you to ask questions and get to know us before you make the decision to hire. We will go over your family dynamics, assets, future aspirations, and you will be presented with options that make sense for you. Then, you will have the opportunity to decide what option works best for you and your family.
Understanding Estate Planning Information Is Key
Some people believe that estate planning should involve a simple check-the-box program. In reality, Michigan estates and trusts law includes a wide variety of tools – known as estate planning instruments – each of which aim to address specific purposes. We get to understand the goals of each client first. With a full understanding of your individual circumstances, we can discuss with you each of the options that will help you serve your goals.
Simply stated, an effective estate plan relies on context. For one person, a simple will that accounts for every goal may suffice as the right estate plan. The next person down the street, however, likely has different aspirations, a different asset structure and different family dynamics. The complete plan will likely indicate the use of different tools. We review all of the details and explain all of the options available to each client. Having the knowledge – in light of your unique circumstances – allows you to participate intelligently in crafting your estate plan.
Estate Planning Frequently Asked Questions
At Herbert Machnik Law Firm, our goal is to help answer any of your questions about estate planning. If you wish to learn more about wills, trusts, powers of attorney, long-term care planning or any other estate planning matters, you can talk to one of our experienced attorneys. Here is a collection of frequently asked questions from our clients:
What is estate planning, and why do we need it?
Estate planning is a process that allows you to protect your legacy. Many people primarily make estate plans to ensure their assets are distributed to family and loved ones according to their wishes.
Estate planning is not just about asset distribution, however. You can also use an estate plan to dictate your future health care with the use of powers of attorney, a living will, special needs planning, long-term care and nursing home cost planning, and guardianship or conservatorship arrangements. These tools can instruct how you wish to be taken care of if you become incapacitated, such as after a traumatic accident or medical condition, and you can no longer direct your own care.
Which is better for estate planning: a will or a trust?
A will is the most basic legal document in your estate plan. This legal document allows you to name beneficiaries, designate the executor of the estate, allocate the distribution of your assets and more. Much like a will, a trust allows you to instruct how assets are managed but with the help of a trustee. The right kind of trust can protect your estate from being taxed or challenged. Additionally, you can avoid probate with a trust, allowing your beneficiaries to receive assets immediately after your passing.
There are many pros and cons of wills and trusts, and every estate is unique. Whether you should make a will or a trust may depend on a few factors such as the size of your estate and how you wish your assets to be managed. In many cases, a will and a trust are used together to achieve certain goals.
Why is estate planning important for property owners?
As a property owner, you may want to consider your estate planning options. You can use an estate plan to keep your properties safe after your passing. You could, for example, use a trust to pass your properties on to beneficiaries. This can allow your properties to stay in your family for future generations, prevent disputes between family members and help ensure a smooth transfer to beneficiaries. By talking to an experienced estate planning attorney, you can learn about your asset protection options.
Elder Law Attorneys Serving Kalamazoo And Southern Michigan
We also help clients with their elder law concerns, such as nursing home issues, Medicare and Medicaid. Our litigators are available when there is evidence or uneasiness related to the financial exploitation of an elder. Our lawyers are compassionate advocates who will work with you and take the time to make sure you understand the various options before you. We will answer all of your elder law and estate planning questions.
Contact Our Lawyers To Learn More And Discuss Your Estate Plan
To discuss your estate planning or elder law concerns in a confidential consultation, call 269-948-7600 or email us here. We have offices in Kalamazoo and Jackson, Michigan.