Putting You at Ease and Giving You Peace of Mind
At Smith & Mabley, our Asset Protection and Estate Planning attorneys focus on the following areas of practice:
Asset Protection Trust Planning - Do not put your family beneficiaries' inheritances at risk. An Asset Protection Trust is a proactive way to keep your money and property away from creditors and divorce settlements of your family beneficiaries.
Special Needs / Addicted Family Member Planning - At Smith & Mabley, we recognize the needs of family members facing serious challenges in life. You want to make sure that they are provided for while still mandating certain requirements, particularly if your loved one suffers from developmental disabilities or drug / alcohol addiction.
Elder Law Planning / Generational Transition Planning - We help you establish the necessary documents so you can control who will handle your affairs in the event of your incapacity or death by naming the family member you trust, instead of leaving these important decisions to a probate judge. We know that beginning to handle your affairs in the event of your incapacity or death is an emotionally trying time for the person you name and your family, and we will be at their side to help provide a comfortable transition.
Contact our office in Farmington Hills, Michigan online or by calling us toll free at 866-975-9915.
Trust & Estate Administration - We help trustees and administrators in carrying out their responsibility in regard to their loved one or parents in the event of incapacity or death. By helping your family member or other trusted individual with the process of marshalling and managing your assets, and dealing with tax and other administrative issues we ensure that your wishes are carried out.
Probate & Trust Repair - When a Will or Trust is prepared by a person through a Web site or cookie cutter form, or by an inexperienced attorney is retained, important details and provisions can be overlooked and omitted. The resulting damage can frustrate the wishes of the estate owner from being carried out. We have the experience and knowledge to reform the documents and use disclaimers and other approaches to repair the damage and see that the original intent of the estate owner is carried out.
Medicaid Planning - There are legal ways to position assets in a manner that will allow you or your spouse to qualify for Medicaid benefits. These invaluable government benefits can help cover the enormous costs associated with nursing home care and preserve your hard earned assets for the comfortable support of your spouse and inheritance by your family members. Our attorneys are prepared to counsel you on approaches to avoid periods of disqualification and provide you and your spouse with peace of mind.
Probate & Trust Litigation - From time to time, estate plans are attacked by disgruntled individuals. For example, a child or other loved one could have been left out of a Will or a trustee could be accused of misusing the estate's assets or refusing to make distributions called for under the Will or trust agreement. Our attorneys are experienced litigators who do not shy away from the courtroom, and are fully familiar with the legal principals and court rules that apply to your particular situation.
Guardianship / Conservatorship Administration - Setting up a guardianship and / or conservatorship is a major undertaking requiring compliance with numerous requirements of Michigan probate law and applicable court rules. In these proceedings, great responsibility is given to an individual, and periodic reports must be presented to the probate court. Careful steps must be taken to ensure continuing quality of life and protection of the assets of the ward, as well as compliance with the applicable rules and regulations. We can provide the guidance to see that all of this is accomplished.
Second Marriage Planning - Bringing two families together presents many challenges. A new marital union requires detailed Asset Protection and Estate Planning, with particular attention to assets to be used for potential nursing home care. How inheritance, particularly from retirement benefits and IRA's, will be distributed among the children from a former marriage are critical areas to be addressed in the planning process. We can help you start your new life with a sense of security.
Contact Us
We serve clients throughout Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw Counties. For more information or to schedule an appointment with an experienced lawyer, please contact us online or call us toll free at 866-975-9915.
