Tag: Estate Planning

Black and white chess game.
Legal, Legal Hotline, Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Legal Hotlines, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, seniors, Tips

‘Tis the Season to Think About Estate Planning

By Christine Steinmetz, J.D., Hotline Attorney The holiday season is a busy time for everyone. We are decorating homes, preparing meals, baking cookies, visiting loved ones, and buying gifts for others. One thing we often overlook is taking care of others by having our estate plan in place. People often wait to call an attorney for estate planning documents before going on a big trip or having major surgery.  However, this is the … Continue reading ‘Tis the Season to Think About Estate Planning

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Elder Law of Michigan, FYI, Legal, Legal Hotline, Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Legal Hotlines, medical, Michigan, seniors

Be Thrifty: Donate Your Body to a Medical School

by Ellen Mason, Hotline Attorney We’re the “do-good generation.” The generation that grew up in the 60’s. The generation whose mantra was “peace and love.” No wonder you’ve intended to donate your organs since you were in your 20’s. But let’s face it: nobody wants a 75-year-old heart; 72-year-old cataract-surgery eyes; a hip that’s been replaced twice; and on-and-on. (We have more rusty parts than a … Continue reading Be Thrifty: Donate Your Body to a Medical School

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FYI, Legal Hotline, Legislation, Planning for the Future

Funeral Representative Bill Signed into Law

by Jadranko Tomic-Bobas, Managing Hotline Attorney On March 29, 2016, Governor Snyder signed Senate Bill 551 into law. The bill makes it possible for a person to appoint a “funeral representative.” The funeral representative will be able to make funeral and other arrangements regarding the disposition of the remains. Currently, the next of kin has the authority to control the funeral and burial arrangement, which has … Continue reading Funeral Representative Bill Signed into Law

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FYI, Legal, Legal Hotline, Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Planning for the Future, seniors

Wills vs. Trusts – Part 8

by Christine Steinmetz, J.D., Hotline Attorney This is the final post in our series regarding wills, trusts, and estate planning. Other posts in the series can be found here. In our previous posts, we discussed the different types of wills and trusts. There is one other estate planning document that we haven’t discussed that allows you to transfer real estate to your beneficiaries without probate. … Continue reading Wills vs. Trusts – Part 8

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FYI, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, Uncategorized

Wills vs. Trusts – Part 7

by Christine Steinmetz, JD This post is the seventh in a series regarding wills, trusts, and estate planning. Other posts in the series can be found here. In our previous post, we discussed how a revocable grantor trust DOES NOT shelter assets, including one’s homestead, for Medicaid eligibility. In addition, the fact that a homestead has been held in the trust for longer than the … Continue reading Wills vs. Trusts – Part 7

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FYI, Legal, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future

Wills vs. Trusts – Part 6

by Christine Steinmetz, JD This post is the sixth part of a series regarding wills and trusts. Other posts in the series can be found here. In our previous posts, we discussed that a will always goes through probate. We also discussed how a trust avoids probate. As previously discussed, probate administration is the court process to distribute property that is owned by an individual … Continue reading Wills vs. Trusts – Part 6

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FYI, Legal, Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future

Wills vs. Trusts – Part 5

by Christine Steinmetz, J.D., Hotline Attorney This post is part of a series regarding wills and trusts. Previous posts in this series can be found here. In our previous posts, we discussed that a will always goes through probate. We also began talking about how a trust avoids probate. As we discussed previously, probate administration is the court process to distribute property owned by an individual … Continue reading Wills vs. Trusts – Part 5

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FYI, Legal, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future

Wills vs. Trusts- Part 4

By Christine Steinmetz, J.D., Hotline Attorney This post is the fourth in a series regarding wills and trusts, part one can be found here, part two here, and part three here. This blog is the fourth in a series regarding wills and trusts. Many clients call the hotline each week with questions regarding living trusts. In our previous post, we began discussing living trusts. In this … Continue reading Wills vs. Trusts- Part 4

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Mid-America Pension Rights Project

What every married couple needs to know about estate planning

via Lifehealthpro.com By Mary Merrell Bailey, Lifehealthpro.com June 26, 2015 The June wedding was spectacular and the newlyweds are back. So, what’s estate planning and life insurance got to do with it? As newly married couples continue to bask in the afterglow of their romantic honeymoon, it’s hard for them to imagine how anything could jeopardize their happiness. What could possiblyhappen? Life happens. And with … Continue reading What every married couple needs to know about estate planning

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A will with a pen.
FYI, Legal, Legal Hotline, Planning for the Future

Wills vs.Trusts- Part 3

by Christine Steinmetz, J.D., Hotline Attorney This post is the third in a series regarding wills and trusts, part one can be found here and part two can be found here.  In our previous post, we defined a will as a document that contains your instructions about how you want your assets (also known as your estate) distributed upon your death. A will allows you to determine who … Continue reading Wills vs.Trusts- Part 3

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