Curcio Law, PLLC, is a Michigan estate planning law firm that provides exceptional representation through our commitment to professional excellence and client support and communication. Estate Planning encompasses the process of preparing for the control and distribution of your medical decisions, financial decisions, and assets when you can no longer make those decisions or distributions yourself, usually by reason of incapacity or death. Estate planning lawyers play a crucial role in guiding their clients through these often emotionally charged and complex legal matters.
Curcio Law, PLLC, is here for your family and provides legal services addressing the following common estate planning tools and issues, among others:
A will allows you to specify how your assets should be distributed among your loved ones after you die. Without a will, your estate may be subject to intestacy laws, which dictate how assets are distributed in the absence of a valid will. Many people are surprised to learn that under Michigan intestacy law, your surviving spouse may not be entitled to 100% of your estate. It is a common misconception that a will avoids probate. To the contrary, your will must go through probate if there are assets in your name held individually at the time of your death. Our Grand Rapids estate planning attorneys can help you navigate the nuances of estate planning and intestacy.
A trust is a contract between the settlor and the trustee establishing terms for holding and distributing trust assets to the beneficiary(ies). A trust can be a separate legal entity, with its own tax identification number, that holds and manages assets on behalf of beneficiaries, but not always. Unlike a will, a trust can be effective during your lifetime and can bypass the probate process. Trusts come in various forms, offering flexibility to address specific needs. Some common types include revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, and testamentary trusts, but these are broad categories, and the language of each can differ significantly dependent upon the settlor’s goals.
These are roles that can sometimes be ripe for abuse, and it is important that an appropriate, trustworthy individual is appointed. The Michigan guardianship attorneys at Curcio Law, PLLC, can help ensure your vulnerable loved ones are protected and have their needs met.
A power of attorney is a document used to grant someone other than yourself agency over certain decisions that you normally could make yourself. With a durable general power of attorney, you can appoint an individual to act on your behalf concerning specific financial decisions with the same force and authority had you acted of your own volition. These documents can be effective immediately or effective at some later date after the occurrence of some future condition, like your incapacity. Powers of attorney are an essential part of any comprehensive estate plan.
Like a durable general power of attorney, a patient advocate designation is a document used to grant someone other than yourself agency over certain decisions that you normally could make yourself, in this case, medical decisions. Under Michigan law, a patient advocate designation is only effective after your primary physician and one other doctor or psychiatrist has signed off on your incapacity. Until then, your medical decisions are yours to make. Also like the durable general power of attorney, a patient advocate designation is an essential part of any comprehensive estate plan.
Estate planning is not a one-time event and there is no one-size-fits-all estate planning solution. That’s why the Grand Rapids, Michigan estate planning attorneys at Curcio Law, PLLC, specialize in creating personalized plans tailored to your goals and unique circumstances. It is never too early, nor too late, to plan your estate – there is no greater act of love and kindness for your loved ones than to ensure they are not left holding the bag after you’re gone.
Contact the Grand Rapids, Michigan estate planning attorneys at Curcio Law, PLLC, today for your free consultation to discuss what estate planning solutions are right for you and your family.
Curcio Law, PLLC
625 Kenmoor Ave SE Ste 301
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 226-1861
jcurcio@curciolawmi.com
We provide unwavering professional excellence and client support in the areas of estate planning, elder law, and family law in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area
P: (616) 226-1861
F: (616) 226-1874
Mon to Friday 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM EST
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