What happens when your pet outlives you? – Authored by: Anisha D. Rutkowski Estate Planning that involves providing financial resources for a pet may sound slightly odd at first to someone who does not own a pet. But for those of us who consider our pets a part of the family, the thought of leaving them …
Can someone suffering from Dementia or Alzheimer’s sign a Will? – Authored by: Michael L. Rutkowski The classic answer from an attorney is “it depends.” Millions of individuals suffer from dementia and, unfortunately, less than 50% of the general population has proper estate planning in place. If a loved one suffers from some type of …
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To be, or not to be, the Trustee – Authored by: Collin D. Dickey What is a Trustee? One of the most important decisions when creating a Trust is designating a Trustee. A Trustee will be the person, persons, or entity that takes on the role of administering your Trust upon your passing. The Trustee must …
A Living Trust Provides Privacy – Authored by: Collin D. Dickey In Michigan, when a Will is “probated,” it becomes public record in the county that an individual resides when he or she passes away. When this happens, anyone, from a family member to a stranger, may have access to a deceased individual’s Will. We have …
What is Probate? – Authored by: Anisha D. Rutkowski Unless you or a loved one has had experience with probate court, you may be unfamiliar with the purpose of probate and the process of probate administration. When a person dies, “probate” is the legal process used by the State of Michigan to handle that person’s …
What are the basic differences between a Will and Trust? – Authored by: Michael L. Rutkowski The two most basic estate planning tools are Wills and Trusts. Many people do not understand the differences between these two tools, and in this short article, I hope to clarify some of the key differences for you. …
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What happens to my Facebook account if I pass away? – Authored by: Collin D. Dickey Far too often, we see the situation where a deceased individual’s Facebook account is handled in a manner that his or her loved ones do not feel represents what the deceased would have wanted. This is one of the many reasons …
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The basics of a Will – Authored by: Anisha D. Rutkowski The most commonly heard of estate planning instrument is undoubtedly the “Will.” From a legal perspective, the individual making a Will is referred to as the “testator.” Generally, the testator’s goal in making a Will is to create a plan for how his or …
What is “Estate Planning?” – Authored by: Michael L. Rutkowski It has been said that there are only two guarantees in life, the first is death and the second is taxes. So let’s talk about the former. When it comes to death, it is only a question of “when,” and not “if,” a person …