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Prenuptial Agreements As An Estate Planning Tool In Michigan

Why Prenuptial Agreements Matter In Michigan Estate Planning Many people think of prenuptial agreements only in the context of divorce. In our Michigan estate planning practice, we see something very different. Prenuptial agreements are often used to protect families, clarify expectations, and coordinate an estate plan well before a crisis occurs. They are especially important … Read more

Michigan family court paternity hearing unmarried mother and father seated at separate counsel tables with their attorneys while a judge presides and a young child sits nearby, illustrating a Michigan family court paternity hearing for unmarried parents.

Unmarried Parents and Paternity in Michigan: How to Secure Custody, Parenting Time, and Child Support

In Michigan, living together and raising a child does not make you legal parents in the eyes of the law. There is no “common-law custody,” no automatic visitation rights, and no obligation to support a child—unless paternity has been formally established. This reality catches many unmarried parents off guard. Fathers who have been present since … Read more

Probate litigation in St. Clair County judge’s gavel resting beside probate court documents and a folder labeled for will contests, trust disputes, and fiduciary duty issues, symbolizing common estate disputes and how they are resolved in Michigan probate court.

Probate Litigation in St. Clair County: Common Disputes and How to Resolve Them

When a loved one passes away, the last thing any family wants is a legal battle over their estate. Yet disputes over wills, trusts, and inheritance are more common than many people realize—and St. Clair County is no exception. Probate litigation in St. Clair County follows the same Michigan laws that govern estate disputes statewide, … Read more

Estate planning for blended families in Michigan multi‑generational Michigan blended family with stepchildren and biological children gathered warmly in a living room, reviewing a family estate plan together to protect a spouse, stepchildren, and biological children.

Estate Planning for Blended Families in Michigan: Protecting Everyone You Love

Estate planning for blended families is not about choosing sides. It is about making deliberate legal decisions that protect everyone you love—because without those decisions, Michigan law will make them for you. The uncomfortable truth is this: a standard will designed for a traditional nuclear family almost always fails blended families. Verbal promises between spouses … Read more

Relocating with kids after divorce in Michigan’s 100-mile rule parent walking with child and rolling suitcase through an airport for a long-distance parenting time visit, symbolizing Michigan parent transporting a child for court-approved relocation and extended parenting time travel.

Relocating with Kids After Divorce: Michigan’s 100-Mile Rule

In Michigan, moving with your child after divorce is not just a personal decision—it is a legal event with serious consequences. A job offer, a new partner, or family support in another city may make relocation feel urgent, but the law moves more slowly and far more deliberately. Michigan’s 100-mile rule exists to protect a … Read more

Michigan’s new surrogacy and parentage laws intended parents in Michigan sitting on a couch at home, joyfully holding their newborn baby born through a legal surrogacy arrangement, with a Michigan surrogacy agreement folder on the table symbolizing protected rights for intended parents, donors, and surrogates in 2026.

Michigan’s New Surrogacy and Parentage Laws in 2026: Rights of Intended Parents, Donors, and Surrogates

For Michigan families pursuing surrogacy, the most important legal decision often happens before a pregnancy even begins. Parentage, compensation, medical authority, and what happens if circumstances change are all determined long before a child is born—and mistakes are rarely fixable after the fact. Michigan’s shift from criminalizing surrogacy to fully regulating it is one of … Read more

Tax implications of estate planning in Southeast Michigan 2026 desk with calculator, tax forms, and a folder labeled "2026 Estate Plan – Southeast Michigan" next to a tax summary, illustrating how federal estate and income tax considerations affect Michigan estate planning.

Tax Implications of Estate Planning in Southeast Michigan: A 2026 Guide

If you live in Metro Detroit or anywhere in Southeast Michigan, you may wonder whether your estate will owe taxes after you pass away. The good news: most Michigan families will not owe federal estate tax. The better news: understanding how estate and gift taxes actually work can help you make smarter planning decisions that … Read more

Guardianship in Livingston County Michigan adult child and elder law attorney reviewing a guardianship petition to protect a vulnerable senior in a warm home setting.

Guardianship in Livingston County: Protecting Vulnerable Seniors Through Michigan Courts

When an aging parent can no longer manage daily decisions or handle finances safely, Michigan families face difficult choices. Guardianship in Livingston County provides a legal pathway to protect vulnerable seniors when powers of attorney don’t exist, have been rejected, or abuse and exploitation are involved. Understanding how guardianship and conservatorship work under Michigan’s Estates … Read more

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Understanding Joint Ownership Vs. Trusts In Michigan: Which Protects Assets Better

Setting The Stage For Smart Asset Protection Decisions Many families across Oakland and Macomb counties seek simple ways to protect property, avoid unnecessary court proceedings, and ensure assets pass smoothly to loved ones. We often meet people who have added a child to a deed or bank account because someone told them joint ownership “keeps … Read more

Can You Lower or Raise Child Support in Michigan After the 2025 Formula Update?

Since Michigan’s child support formula updated in January 2025, questions about modifying existing orders have surged. Parents on both sides are wondering the same thing: does this change mean my support order should be different? The answer depends on your specific circumstances. Formula updates alone don’t automatically trigger modifications, but they can provide grounds for … Read more

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