Estates & Trusts

Top 7 Estate Planning Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Mar 04, 2026

Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid: Protect Your Legacy and Your Loved Ones Estate planning is one...

How Does the Step Up in Basis Rule Work in Estate Planning?

Jan 28, 2026

If you’ve ever wondered what is step up in basis and why it matters in thoughtful estate planning,...

Holographic Wills in Michigan: Valid — But Proceed with Care

Jan 23, 2026

Are Handwritten Wills Valid in Michigan? What You Should Know As estate planning attorneys, we re...

Beware: The Pitfalls of Relying on Beneficiary Designations

Dec 18, 2025

Beneficiary designations on life insurance, retirement accounts, bank accounts with payable-on-death...

Do I Have to Pay Capital Gains on the Sale of an Inherited Home?

Jul 24, 2024

If you have inherited a house, you have some decisions to make, starting with whether to sell or kee...

Nine Things You May Not Know About Michigan Probate

May 29, 2024

Almost everyone has heard of probate, but many people have no experience with the process, and myths...

What is a “No-Contest” Clause in a Will?

Feb 26, 2024

A no-contest clause is a provision in a will that states that if a beneficiary challenges the will, ...

Why Consider a Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT) for Real Estate Assets?

Feb 06, 2024

Estate Planning: Provide For Future Generations Generally speaking, we have all worked our enti...

New IRS Ruling Regarding Irrevocable Trusts and Step-Up in Basis

Nov 29, 2023

On March 30, 2023, the Internal Revenue Service issued Revenue Ruling 2023-2. The essence of this br...

Is a Revocable Trust More Effective Than Probate in Distributing Real Estate Assets After a Grantor’s Death?

Oct 06, 2023

Many wonder if real estate assets are in a revocable trust or letting them go through the probate pr...