Washtenaw County attracts people who think carefully about important decisions — where to live, how to build a career, what matters most. Boroja, Bernier & Associates serves families throughout Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Washtenaw County with the same deliberate approach: thorough research, clear analysis, and legal planning that actually holds up when it matters.
Serving All of Washtenaw County | Virtual Consultations Available
You Research Everything. Your Legal Planning Should Reflect That.
Washtenaw County residents don’t wing it.
You research school districts before buying a house. You compare tenure-track positions against industry opportunities. You read the studies, not just the headlines. When Michigan Medicine recruited you, you weighed compensation against quality of life and made a deliberate choice. When you started that company in downtown Ann Arbor, you modeled the scenarios before signing the lease.
This is a community that values getting things right over getting things fast.
Which makes it frustrating when you encounter attorneys who treat estate planning like an assembly line. Fill out the intake form. Sign the boilerplate documents. Pay the invoice. Next.
That approach might produce documents. It doesn’t produce protection.
Boroja, Bernier & Associates has guided more than 2,000 Michigan families since 2014. We serve University of Michigan faculty with TIAA retirement accounts and research interests that don’t fit standard templates. Healthcare professionals whose careers span Michigan Medicine and private practice. Entrepreneurs whose business interests require coordination with personal estate plans. Families in Saline and Dexter who chose small-town character over suburban sprawl — and who want their legacy to reflect those same values.
With offices in Shelby Township, Troy, Ann Arbor, and Lansing, we make it easy for Washtenaw County families to access the thorough, thoughtful legal planning this community expects. Client consultations are conducted at our Shelby Township headquarters or via secure video and phone conference — an approach most Washtenaw County clients find more efficient than fighting for parking.
Every family has a story. We take the time to understand yours before we start drafting documents.
“Washtenaw County clients often arrive having done significant research already — they understand the basics of trusts versus wills, they’ve read about Michigan’s probate process, they know the questions to ask. What they need is an attorney who can meet them at that level and help them navigate the specifics of their situation. That’s where preparation matters. Generic advice fails sophisticated clients.”
Legal Services for Washtenaw County Families
Boroja, Bernier & Associates provides comprehensive estate planning, probate, elder law, divorce, and family law services throughout Washtenaw County. We bring the depth these matters require.
Estate Planning for Washtenaw County Residents
Academic careers create unusual estate planning challenges. TIAA retirement accounts work differently than 401(k)s. University intellectual property rights may have value. Sabbaticals, visiting appointments, and international collaborations add complexity. And if you’ve spent decades building a research program, you probably have opinions about how that legacy continues.
Healthcare professionals face their own considerations — especially those balancing academic appointments at Michigan Medicine with private practice income, navigating malpractice tail coverage, and planning around the demanding schedules that medicine requires.
For entrepreneurs in Washtenaw County’s growing tech and startup ecosystem, estate planning intersects directly with business planning. Ownership structures matter. Buy-sell agreements matter. Succession planning matters — whether you’re building to sell or building to last.
We create estate plans — wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives — designed for how your life actually works. Not templates with your name inserted. Comprehensive will-based estate plans typically range from $1,500 to $2,500. Trust-based estate plans generally range from $2,500 to $5,500. We provide transparent, flat-fee pricing after your consultation.
Estate planning services are available statewide, so family members elsewhere in Michigan can access the same comprehensive planning.
Probate & Trust Administration in Washtenaw County
When a loved one passes, someone has to handle the details. Court filings in Washtenaw County Probate Court. Creditor notifications. Asset inventories. Tax returns. Distributions that follow the law and the decedent’s wishes.
If you’ve been named personal representative or successor trustee, you’ve inherited a job with real responsibilities — and real liability if things go wrong.
We guide fiduciaries through estate administration with the same thoroughness we bring to planning. Clear explanations of what’s required. Realistic timelines. Proactive communication when issues arise. And a commitment to getting matters closed correctly — not quickly at the expense of properly.
Elder Law for Washtenaw County Families
Michigan nursing home care runs $9,000 to $12,000 per month. At those rates, decades of careful saving can disappear in a matter of months. And Medicaid won’t help until you’ve spent down to nearly nothing — Michigan’s 2026 asset limit is just $9,950.
The math doesn’t change based on education level or career accomplishments. A retired professor faces the same Medicaid rules as everyone else. The difference is in the planning — or the lack of it.
Families who plan ahead have options. Medicaid asset protection trusts. Spousal protection strategies. Structures that preserve assets while positioning for eligibility when the time comes. Families who wait until crisis hits still have options — crisis planning tools like Medicaid-compliant annuities can protect significant assets even after nursing home admission — but fewer options, with different trade-offs.
We help Washtenaw County families at both stages. The ones thinking ahead, and the ones dealing with a parent who needs care now. Either way, the goal is the same: protect what can be protected, and do it properly.
Divorce in Washtenaw County
When dual-career couples separate, complexity multiplies. Two retirement accounts. Two benefit structures. Assets acquired during a twenty-year marriage while both partners’ careers evolved. TIAA accounts that don’t transfer like standard retirement plans. Children whose school schedules and activities span two households.
We handle contested and uncontested divorce in Washtenaw County Circuit Court. Our approach balances thorough preparation with practical judgment. Not every issue needs to be litigated. But when negotiation reaches its limits, we’re prepared to advocate effectively.
Family Law Across Washtenaw County
Custody disputes, parenting time modifications, child support, and other family law matters require the same deliberate, research-driven approach that Washtenaw County families bring to every important decision. You need attorneys who explain the strategy behind every recommendation and treat you as a partner in your own case.
We represent clients in Washtenaw County Circuit Court’s Family Division. Whether you’re establishing a custody arrangement, modifying an existing order, or addressing a support issue, we bring thorough preparation and clear communication to every case.
Washtenaw County Court Information
Familiarity with local courts matters. Procedures vary. Expectations differ. Knowing how a particular court actually operates — not just what the rules say — translates directly into more efficient case handling.
Washtenaw County Probate Court
The Washtenaw County Probate Court handles estate administration, trust matters, guardianships, conservatorships, and related probate proceedings.
Address: 101 E. Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: (734) 222-3288
Website: Washtenaw County Probate Court
Note: Verify current address and contact information before visiting.
Washtenaw County Circuit Court — Family Division
The Family Division of Washtenaw County Circuit Court handles divorce, child custody, parenting time, child support, and other family law matters.
Address: 101 E. Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: (734) 222-3270
Website: Washtenaw County Circuit Court
Note: Verify current address and contact information before visiting.
Communities We Serve in Washtenaw County
Boroja, Bernier & Associates serves families throughout Washtenaw County:
- Ann Arbor Area: Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Township, Pittsfield Township, Scio Township
- Ypsilanti Area: Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Township, Superior Township
- Western Washtenaw: Chelsea, Dexter, Dexter Township, Lima Township, Sylvan Township, Manchester
- Southern Washtenaw: Saline, Milan, York Township, Bridgewater Township
- Northern Washtenaw: Whitmore Lake, Northfield Township, Webster Township
Wherever you are in Washtenaw County, we can help. Contact us to schedule your consultation.
How to Work With Us in Washtenaw County
Virtual Consultations: Most Washtenaw County clients find video consultations the most convenient option. Connect from your office on campus, your home in Dexter, or anywhere in the county. Same thorough consultation. Same attorney attention. No parking hassles.
Phone Consultations: Prefer to start with a call? We conduct comprehensive consultations by phone.
In-Person Consultations: Meet with an attorney at our Shelby Township headquarters. Some clients prefer face-to-face meetings for complex matters, and we accommodate that preference.
Our Ann Arbor Office: 2723 South State Street, Suite 150, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Phone: (734) 749-9400.
What to Expect: Your consultation is with an attorney who will listen carefully, ask the right questions, and provide clear guidance. We’ll assess your situation, explain your options under Michigan law, and give you realistic expectations about timeline and cost. Information first, decisions later.
Why Washtenaw County Families Choose BBA Law
We Do Our Homework Too
You wouldn’t trust a colleague who showed up to a meeting unprepared. Neither should you trust an attorney who treats your matter as routine. Every family’s situation has specifics that matter — asset structures, family dynamics, professional circumstances. We learn those details before we start drafting documents.
Preparation isn’t just about avoiding mistakes. It’s about identifying opportunities others would miss.
Straight Answers, Not Legal Theater
Some attorneys inflate complexity to justify fees. Others oversimplify to avoid difficult conversations. We do neither.
You’ll get clear explanations of what you’re facing, honest assessments of your options, and realistic expectations about outcomes. If something is complicated, we’ll explain why. If something is straightforward, we won’t pretend otherwise.
We Measure Success by Outcomes
Filing paperwork isn’t achievement. Estate plans that actually protect families. Probate matters closed correctly and efficiently. Assets preserved from nursing home costs. Divorce settlements that accomplish client goals — these are what matter.
Effort is part of the equation. Results are the point.
“Washtenaw County clients appreciate attorneys who can engage substantively with their questions — not deflect to ‘it depends’ answers that avoid real guidance. When someone asks about the interaction between their TIAA accounts and a potential trust structure, they want an attorney who understands retirement account rules, trust taxation, and how those pieces fit together. Surface-level knowledge gets exposed quickly with clients who’ve done their research.”
Frequently Asked Questions: Legal Services in Washtenaw County
Our Ann Arbor office is located at 2723 South State Street, Suite 150, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. The office phone is (734) 749-9400. Client consultations are typically conducted at our Shelby Township headquarters or via video/phone. Our main number is (586) 991-7611.
The Washtenaw County Probate Court is located at 101 E. Huron Street in Ann Arbor, MI 48104. We handle probate matters in this court and understand its procedures and expectations.
Estate planning costs depend on complexity. Comprehensive will-based plans typically range from $1,500 to $2,500. Comprehensive trust-based estate plans generally range from $2,500 to $5,500. Complex estates involving business interests, tax planning, or special needs considerations may be higher. We provide transparent, flat-fee pricing after your consultation.
Proactive elder law planning typically ranges from $6,500 to $9,500. Crisis elder law planning — when a loved one already needs nursing home care — generally ranges from $12,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on complexity. The earlier you plan, the more options you have and the more assets we can protect.
Yes. We regularly work with University of Michigan faculty, Michigan Medicine healthcare professionals, and other clients with TIAA accounts, academic appointments, and the specific planning considerations these situations create. Understanding how these assets and benefits interact with estate planning is core to our practice.
No. We offer video and phone consultations that work well for Washtenaw County clients. In-person consultations at our Shelby Township headquarters are available for those who prefer face-to-face meetings.
We serve all of Washtenaw County, including Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, Chelsea, Dexter, Milan, Whitmore Lake, and all other Washtenaw County communities.
Ready for Legal Planning That Reflects How You Think?
You approach important decisions deliberately. You gather information. You weigh options. You think through implications before committing.
Your estate planning should receive the same care.
Boroja, Bernier & Associates serves Washtenaw County families with the depth and preparation these matters require. Not rushed consultations designed to get you in and out. Not template documents with your name inserted. Real planning, for your real situation.
Schedule a consultation. Ask the hard questions. See if we’re the right fit.
Protecting Your Family, Your Life, and Your Legacy. Because You Deserve Better.
To schedule a consultation with the Michigan attorneys at Boroja, Bernier & Associates, call (586) 991-7611.
Contact Information:
Ann Arbor Office: 2723 South State Street, Suite 150, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: (734) 749-9400
Headquarters: 49139 Schoenherr Rd., Shelby Township, MI 48315
Phone: (586) 991-7611
Email: admin@bbalawmi.com
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Saturday & Sunday: By Appointment
