Tag Archives: estate planning attorney Oak Park

Getting Affairs In Order Before Death and Probate Law

Before your done skydiving, traveling Europe and swimming with sharks, consider getting the more important things together before your time passes. No one wants to think about their death or what will happen after they die but it will give your loved ones and friends more understanding about your personal things so there is less to handle after your death and with in probate law, allowing you to leave with peace of mind.

 A few things you want to do to get your affairs in order before Probate Law:

1. Up to date Will: Make sure you have a will and it is up to date. If someone dies without a will, Michigan law has rules for what will happen with that persons property. This is called a person dies intestate, Probate courts in Michigan establish a probate estate where the probate court determines who will acts at the deceased representative and who will receive any assets that were left.

2. You want to appoint someone to manage your affairs, Power of Attorney: If you become sick and unable to take care of yourself or if something were you happen to you someone has to be responsible to pay your bills, deposit your money and manage your financial affairs.

3. Name a guardian: If you have children that are dependent you need to appoint a guardian to take care of them if you are not able to or pass away. Note: If you have a disabled child, find a specialist who knows the laws and benefits under Medicare and Medicaid and can coordinate asset planning. If everything is left to a disabled child they will not be able eligible for aid. Also known as special-needs planning.

Some people write a will to avoid probate laws but probate court has been simplified and Micheal Colton Probate Law attorneys in Farmington MI cater to Oakland County residents and are here to help you and your family with their probate planning. Contact Our Law Office today to talk to our probate planning attorneys and specialists to receive a no-obligation consultation about: Estate Planning, Probate Court, Probate Law, Wills and Trusts, Living Wills, Michigan law, Power of Attorneys.

Managing Deceased Estates in Oak Park, Michigan

Oak Park residents, do you know how a person is picked to manage the estate of someone who passes on? Most of the time this is decided through someone’s will. The person nominated by the maker of the will to carry out the directions of that will is known as an executor.

Those tinkering with their will and estate planning in Michigan will obviously want to select someone they trust with their assets and finances. On the flip side, those selected to become the executor of the will inherit a number of responsibilities, including:

  • Collecting property
  • Finding the beneficiaries
  • Helping to arrange the funeral
  • Paying off debts and outstanding bills
  • Securing Assets
  • Settling feuds between other family members or beneficiaries in the will

But what if there is no will left behind? Well, if a probate court proceeding is deemed necessary, the spouse or registered domestic partner of the deceased will almost always have first priority under law, depending on the state. If there is no spouse, it would be the child of the deceased. If there happens to be more than one child, they would all stand in equal position. If there is no agreement made by the interested partners, a judge will appoint a person to manage the deceased’s estate.

Handling tasks and sorting through the details can be overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to get consultation from an experienced estate planning attorney in Oak Park, Michigan to help walk you through the intestate succession laws, which sort out the inheritance of property if no will exists.

To learn more about managing the estate of the deceased Oak Park properly and professionally, contact Michael Colton, an estate planning specialists, at Colton Probate Law. A trusted estate planning lawyer in Oak Park Michigan for over 30 years, Michael Colton can help you through any issues you’re having as executor of a will, or constructing a will. Call today for more information or to receive a free consultation. 248-324-0800.