Estate Planning & Probate

Comprehensive Estate Planning Services

Planning for the future is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your loved ones. Active Solicitors provides comprehensive estate planning services to help you protect your assets, provide for your family, and ensure your wishes are honored. Whether your estate is simple or complex, we help you create a plan that provides peace of mind.

Estate Planning Services

• Wills - Preparation of last wills and testaments
• Revocable Living Trusts - Trusts that provide flexibility and avoid probate
• Irrevocable Trusts - Trusts for asset protection and tax planning
• Powers of Attorney - Financial and healthcare decision-making authority
• Healthcare Directives - Living wills and medical treatment preferences
• Beneficiary Designations - Review and coordination of beneficiary forms
• Guardianship Designations - Naming guardians for minor children
• Asset Protection Planning - Strategies to protect assets from creditors
• Estate Tax Planning - Minimizing estate tax obligations
• Special Needs Planning - Trusts for beneficiaries with disabilities

Why You Need an Estate Plan

Without proper estate planning, Michigan law determines how your assets are distributed and who makes decisions if you become incapacitated. An estate plan allows you to:

• Control who receives your assets and when
• Avoid probate court proceedings
• Minimize estate taxes and administrative costs
• Protect assets from creditors and lawsuits
• Provide for minor children or special needs beneficiaries
• Ensure someone you trust makes decisions if you cannot
• Avoid family disputes and confusion

Probate Administration

When a loved one passes away, the probate process can be overwhelming. We guide personal representatives and families through:

• Probate Court Proceedings - Filing petitions and managing court requirements
• Estate Administration - Identifying and valuing assets, paying debts and taxes
• Asset Distribution - Distributing assets to beneficiaries
• Will Contests - Representation in disputed probate matters
• Trust Administration - Managing and distributing trust assets
• Estate Tax Returns - Preparation and filing of estate tax returns

Trust Administration

For families with trusts, we assist trustees with their fiduciary duties, including asset management, accounting, distributions, and tax compliance. We provide guidance to ensure trustees fulfill their obligations while protecting beneficiaries' interests.

Our Estate Planning Process

We begin with a comprehensive consultation to understand your family situation, assets, goals, and concerns. We then develop a customized estate plan that addresses your specific needs. Our plans are clear, legally sound, and designed to work together seamlessly.

Estate planning is not a one-time event. We recommend reviewing your plan periodically and updating it when major life changes occur, such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or significant changes in assets.