Here's the hard truth: if you don't make a plan for your assets, the government will make one for you! We help our clients protect themselves and their loved ones. We help them to save money and maintain privacy and control. We minimize involvement of the courts, wherever possible. When court involvement is unavoidable, however, we help them navigate that road, too.

Probate Administration and Litigation

Services offered: Our attorneys help you to work through the probate court rules and reporting requirements in conservatorships, guardianships and decedent's estates. If disputes should happen to arise, we protect your interests through mediation, arbitration or probate litigation.

Taking care of a loved one's affairs when there has been a death or incapacity can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Our attorneys have the experience to help make this process as stress free as possible, whether handling a mundane task like filing court forms or a more challenging one like uncovering wrongdoing or resolving a family dispute. As a result of her expert skill in this area of law, Julie Pfitzenmaier recently spoke on probate litigation at a Michigan Trial Lawyers Association seminar.

Trust Administration

Services offered: Our attorneys advise trustees regarding revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, charitable trusts, educational trusts, and others.

When you're asked to be trustee of a trust, especially one designed to continue for any length of time, it can be difficult. We assist clients in carrying out their duties, either by being "hands on" if you need close support, or by working in the background, ready to give direction whenever you call on us. We also have many years of experience in preparing federal estate tax returns in larger estates, and a proven track record in achieving quick and favorable results from the IRS upon review of those returns.

Residential Real Estate

Services offered: Our attorneys represent both buyers and sellers in residential real estate deals. We handle the complete gamut, from first-time home purchasers to sale-by-owner to investors, in a timely and efficient manner.

A real estate transaction can be a pleasure for all parties, as long as everyone is fully informed of the laws and alert to possible errors. Whether we prepare the purchase documents or review documents prepared by others, we protect our clients against mistakes that could prove costly.

Tax Planning

Services offered: Our attorneys provide guidance on a wide spectrum of tax issues because sometimes clients need to talk to someone in addition to their accountant – especially when it comes to real property, estate and gift taxation.

We often work in conjunction with our clients' accountants to find favorable solutions to issues having both tax and legal consequences. We have also saved our clients headaches and heartaches when they've come to us with an idea that they didn't realize had hidden tax consequences, such as adding children to a deed or an account.