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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
When a Michigan resident passes away, their loved ones often face an unexpected challenge: probate court. This legal process—designed to distribute assets and settle debts—can stretch for months or even years, tying up family inheritances and adding stress during an already difficult time. The answer is clear: probate is a court-supervised process for settling a … Read more
That will you signed ten years ago? It might be working against your family right now. Life changes—marriages, divorces, new grandchildren, deaths, and shifting assets—but wills don’t update themselves. And in Michigan, an outdated will isn’t just a minor inconvenience. It’s a roadmap to probate disputes, unintended distributions, and family conflict in Wayne, Macomb, and … Read more
Life in Metro Detroit moves fast. Between work, family, and everything else demanding your attention, thinking about what happens after you’re gone probably falls pretty low on your to-do list. But here’s something that might change your perspective: without a proper estate plan, the state of Michigan decides who gets your home, your savings, and … Read more
If you’ve started thinking about protecting your family’s future, you’ve probably encountered two fundamental estate planning tools: wills and trusts. The question isn’t whether you need estate planning—it’s which approach actually accomplishes your goals under Michigan law. The answer is more nuanced than most people realize. A will alone won’t avoid probate in Michigan. A … Read more
At Boroja, Bernier & Associates, we often meet with families who want to make sure their loved ones are protected and their assets are managed properly after they pass away. One of the most effective estate planning tools we recommend for many Michigan residents is a living trust. A living trust can help you avoid … Read more
At Boroja, Bernier & Associates, we often meet families who know they need an estate plan but are unsure where to start. Estate planning is more than just drafting a will. It involves preparing a comprehensive set of documents to ensure your wishes are carried out during your lifetime and after you pass away. Without … Read more
As Michigan estate planning attorneys, we often speak with families who want to make sure their vacation home stays in the family for generations to come. Whether it’s a cottage on Lake Michigan, a cabin in Northern Michigan, or a home up north that’s been in the family for decades, these properties hold sentimental and … Read more
Our estate planning attorneys have seen how much estate planning has changed over the past decade. Most of us now manage our lives through digital platforms—whether it’s online banking, email, photo storage, or social media accounts. But while many people are careful to plan for homes, retirement accounts, and personal property, they often overlook their … Read more
As attorneys serving clients in Troy and Shelby Township, we frequently help families who are navigating the unique challenges of blended households. When couples marry and bring children from previous relationships into the new family structure, estate planning becomes especially important. Without a clear plan in place, Michigan law may distribute assets in ways that … Read more