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Understanding the Probate in Michigan

Losing a family member is never easy, and this emotionally stressful loss can consume your life. Even while you are coping with your grief, many critical legal decisions must be completed within a specific time frame. The experienced and compassionate attorneys at Casterline Law can ease grieving families’ burden by guiding you through the potentially complex Michigan probate and estate administration process.

If you have recently lost a loved one, we can help. Casterline Law is still able to provide guidance, peace of mind, and the support you need to navigate the probate process. Learn more about taking the next steps in our blog “What to Do When Someone Dies” for insights on how we can provide you with legal support.

What is the Probate Process in Michigan?

Probate is the public court process that occurs after death. The probate process authenticates a will, gathering assets, paying debts, filing taxes, and distributing access to Michigan beneficiaries. If you have countable assets owned in your name or made payable to your Michigan estate, it will go through probate.

Why Avoid Probate?

Probate can be time-consuming, expensive, and is a public court process. Sometimes probate court in Michigan can take months or sometimes years to process through the court system. Probate also takes place in public court, and most people want to keep their family and financial affairs private after their death. The public court process can also invite creditors and other predators to get involved in your family affairs.

At Casterline Law, we can help our Michigan clients meet their estate planning goals with trust planning and probate avoidance. Our estate planning attorney can help you avoid probate for your loved ones with the right estate planning strategies.

Understanding Guardianship or Conservatorship Appointment

Who will take care of critical health care decisions, including the safest place for your loved one to live? Who will take care of ensuring that your loved one’s finances are used to take care of them?

If powers of attorney were never established or its validity is questioned, a guardianship, conservatorship, or appointment may become necessary. A guardianship and a conservatorship are similar. The significant difference is a conservatorship deals only with a loved one’s finances. Casterline Law can help you through this emotional process and help ensure your loved one’s physical and financial safety.

Casterline Law Offices, PLLC provides clients with personalized attention focused on each individual’s unique needs. Our legal services include Medicaid planning, estate planning, veterans benefits planning, probate, and real estate law for our Southeast Michigan community. Contact our St. Clair Shores, MI office or our satellite offices in Shelby Township or Novi, MI, to discuss your legal matters today.

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