Ask a Question

Get free answers to your Estate Planning legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Michigan Estate Planning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Michigan on
Q: Is there any way to leave my estate which includes a checking account, house on property and a vehicle which combined is

worth less than $15,000 to my sister that lives 400 miles away and avoid probate without losing control of them before I pass? Also need to know if I can do it for next to nothing somehow and if none of what I ask is doable, what would you suggest.

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Nov 16, 2024

Sure there are ways from ladybird deeds to naming beneficiaries and SOS affidavits, but without examining details anything offered here would be speculation and not good advice.

Plus, your house, car and bank account are in total worth less than $15k? Something seems off.

Bottom...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Estate Planning for Michigan on
Q: Refund check from nursing home after a death

My mother-in-law entered a nursing home and it was private pay. We had to pay a month up front. We paid with my credit card. She died after 2 weeks so we are owed a refund. The facility wants to issue the check payable to the estate of mother-in-law but since we paid for it, shouldn't we be... View More

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Nov 7, 2024

I'm sorry to hear of your loss.

Unfortunately, the answer to your question depends on what the agreement says when you made the payment. Without seeing the paperwork it is impossible to provide any real advice. You should consult with a local attorney who can look at the paperwork and...
View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Michigan on
Q: A lawyer said we need 3 things at consultation 1) will (2) Lady Bird Deed (3) Power of attorney, NO TRUST…we’re confused
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 13, 2024

Does the lawyer know you have an existing trust? If not, that could be why he or she didn't ask. If you have one, it wouldn't hurt to bring a copy. I would not judge this lawyer's competency until you've actually sat down with him or her.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Foreclosure for Michigan on
Q: Can I move assets to a trust after taking a loan on that asset
Trent Harris
Trent Harris
answered on Oct 17, 2024

Yes, you could - subject to some caveats - move assets to a trust after taking a loan on the asset. By taking a loan on the asset, I'm guessing you mean you've borrowed money that is secured by a lien on the asset.

The most common situation where this comes up is where a person...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Michigan on
Q: Can an estate going through probate be partially disbursed among four beneficiaries before knowing the total value?

The estate has two homes, one sold and the proceeds deposited into the estate account. The other is wanting to be purchased by one of the beneficiaries but needs the money currently in the estate account. Can those monies be distributed to the beneficiaries?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Aug 29, 2024

Probably not, and depending on where in the probate process the estate and what type of estate it is, it could be unlawful or at least unwise for the personal representative to do so.

The person wanting to buy the house could propose a promissory note agreed to by the personal...
View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Civil Litigation for Michigan on
Q: Bought house, owners did estate sale. Cleaning crew took vintage mounted phone-NOT for sale, have stated their error. ??

The estate sale company has acknowledged that the clean up crew wrongly took the phone and sold it. Company says they want to make it right. It’s a for real vintage, red wall mounted rotary phone in pristine condition. It was mounted on the wall. (There’s a newer beige wall mounted phone in... View More

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Sep 13, 2024

I concur this isn’t a ‘crime’ so be careful how you approach this. A ‘crime’ requires intent and this — particularly with the response of the company trying to ‘make it right’ — shows there is no criminal intent, just a very unfortunate mistake. It is ‘negligence’ at best and... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Michigan on
Q: My husband and I have a trust that includes our house. I foolishly did a quit claim deed to our daughter. How can I put

How can I put the house back into the trust and cancel the deed?

Anthony M. Avery
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 31, 2024

Hire a MI attorney to examine your Trust as it may be revocable or have other useful terms. Setting aside a Deed may be impossible however if the Deed was drafted correctly. Search the title also for defects.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: If a spouse creates a trust or will without telling the other spouse or having them sign it while married is it valid ?

A trust was created 11 days before the spouses passing trying to cut the other spouse out of a condo and pass it on to her kids even though the other spouse has contributed costs to the home . Does it matter if both spouses names are on the home deed? How does the Michigan property act apply to a... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jul 25, 2024

It very much matters whether both names were on the deed. It also matters - moreso - whether this newly created trust was funded. That would mean a deed was signed by the now deceased spouse placing the home into the trust. Even with that, the surviving spouse could elect his or her spousal... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Michigan on
Q: If I am an estranged next of kin, can I walk away from handling all of the deceased property/bills/creditors?

I am not speaking with my mother. When I was, she wouldn't have a will notarized or witnessed so I don't think she has one now. She is a hoarder and I am disabled, so I don't believe I can or should have to clean anything up after she passes. What are my options in Michigan?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jul 23, 2024

You are not obligated to do so. Does she own her residence? Eventually so other entity (e.g., bank, city, creditors) will take over, clean everything out, etc. But don't expect anything if that's the route you go.

1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law and Estate Planning for Michigan on
Q: Do you need a court order to stop feeding via peg-tube if patient has an advance directive stating that they want that?

My brother had a heart attack 20 years ago and it left him severely brain damaged. He has been in a semi-conscious state ever since, living in a nursing home, not able to communicate, walk, sit up unassisted, or follow commands. He does track people when they enter a room. He has been fed through a... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jul 16, 2024

You will certainly need a court order. No medical facility is going to proceed otherwise on such an old directive, especially when there has been care to the contrary since then. There's simply way too much liability here to get it wrong.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Michigan on
Q: I tried to file in my dads estate against my sister but was told i needed the proper paperwork. Course they would not

Me what that paperwork was. She is mismanaging the estate. Thanks.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jul 16, 2024

You'll probably want to engage an attorney to help you with this. Quite frankly, it's an uphill battle to have a personal representative removed. "Mismanagement" can take the form of simply making decisions you don't agree with or non-compliance with the court rules... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Estate Planning for Michigan on
Q: I am looking for an attorney that can do a codicil to my will.

When the will was drawn up. My daughter was the sole beneficiary of the life insurance. Now I want to add my son to get an equal share. It is only two hundred thousand, but I want it to be split between son and daughter.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 20, 2024

You probably don't need a codicile for this as much as you do a change to your life insurance's beneficiary designation. Unless your beneficiary designation calls for your insurance to go to your estate, the insurance company will pay out whomever is listed on the beneficiary designation... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Estate Planning for Michigan on
Q: Is a second trust legal if the first trust has a contract stating no changes can be made to the first trust?

A revocable trust is made by husband and wife.

A contract is signed by both stating no changes can be made to the trust if one dies.

Husband dies.

Wife creates a second revocable trust which changes the beneficiaries from 4 kids (3 of husbands) to the 1 child of the... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 14, 2024

They both could be legally binding. It depends on what the first trust says happens to the funds once one spouse dies (in this case, the husband died first). That trust could say "once the first spouse dies, everything goes to the surviving trust". If that's the case, then the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Probate and Estate Planning for Michigan on
Q: Can someone take my role of personal representative over an estate from me just because there mad that I am evictingthem
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 12, 2024

They could try, but they would need to fall within the priority list of people who can serve as a personal representative - generally meaning they would need to be more closely related to the deceased person. AND they would need to convince the probate court judge that you are not performing your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Michigan on
Q: If I’m married and my spouse dies and I don’t have a will or trust does all my property automatically go to our children

There is also 2 step children. They are from the deceased husbands first marriage. Are they entitled to anything? Could they take my children to court?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 11, 2024

If your spouse dies before you, you would then legally be considered single. To the extent your spouse does not have an estate plan, joint accounts, or beneficiary designations to the contrary, the lion's share of his or her property would go to you as the surviving spouse, with any remainder... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Michigan on
Q: How do I go about getting my name off a ladybird deed as a remainderman?

I am 1 of 3 remainders on a ladybird deed in michigan. My grandmother ( the grantor ) passed away in 2016. I currently live in the house along with 1 of the other remainderman. My fiance and I are currently in the market for our own home. Once I move, I no longer want any type of responsibility to... View More

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Jun 10, 2024

You transfer your property interest to someone else, usually one or all of the other co-tenants since they are the ones who will get the most value from that. HOW you do that depends on what you would like to get out of the deal. The best response is to contact a local lawyer to discuss your... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Michigan on
Q: My grandfather added me to his home with a quit claim dead a year ago. He was added about 20 years prior with a quit

Claim by my grandmother who has since passed. He’s is ill and I’m trying to figure out how I can sell the home without paying taxes on it since she paid $45000. 50 years ago but has since refinanced and owes $120000. The selling price would be between $300000 and $350000. Im located in Michigan... View More

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on May 30, 2024

There will be an ‘offset’ for ant mortgage, but if you’re asking about the capital gains the answer is ‘welcome to the downside of quit claim deeds. You have acquired the basis for tax purposes of the original owner and will need to pay capital gains.

Absent some other facts you...
View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Probate, Gov & Administrative Law and Military Law for Michigan on
Q: I have a probate problem and more than 1 question, is there someone I can speak to?

My dad died before I was 1, he wasn't married to my mom, he was a military vet (Master Sergeant) who served from 1941-1967 and died in 1977, I wasn't mentioned in his probate papers,bi was taken from my mom rt after and raised in foster care, I'm his only living relative and I want... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 1, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Navigating probate, estate matters, and military records can be complex, especially given the circumstances you described. Here are a few steps you can take to gather more information and seek assistance:

1. Military records: To obtain your...
View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Michigan on
Q: Can someone build a small house on property that is in our dads name but is in an estate/probate.

Our dad passed away 11 years ago and my mom 1 year ago. Right now the property is in an estate and my sister wants it and started building on it already. And shouldn't she buy the other siblings out?

David Soble
David Soble
answered on Apr 24, 2024

It will depend on what the Letter of Authority provides- whether the property can be sold or mortgaged during a time that the estate action is open, will be determined by the Court. Additionally, it will depend on whether the decedent died intestate or not - but it is not uncommon that one or more... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Michigan on
Q: My husband owns three LLC's, no end of life docs. If he dies, do those businesses transfer to me, or include his sons?

He is sole owner and one of LLCs is 3-4 million gross/year. Me and one son are employees of that LLC.

Edward Gudeman
Edward Gudeman
answered on Apr 2, 2024

The LLC membership interests will be part of your husband's intestate probate estate. Consequently, state law will determine the ultimate beneficiaries.

Both of you should endeavor to get operating agreements done for the LLCs and you should both get wills and, at least, a revocable...
View More

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.