Wills and Probate in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo
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Estate and probate lawyers who help you build your legacy
Wills and trusts are the building blocks of estate planning. The Kalamazoo probate attorneys at Willis & Willis, PLC help you implement these legal documents to establish a solid foundation for your family's future.
Wills and probate
A will is a legal document, and probate is the process that your will goes through upon your death.
Will
In your will, you designate an executor (or personal representative) and your beneficiaries. The executor will be responsible for probate administration, and the beneficiaries will receive the property that you designate for them to inherit. The Grand Rapid estate planning law firm of Willis & Willis, PLC help you decide which family member, friend, or professional is best suited to be appointed as executor of your will.
Probate
Probate court examines your will and establishes its validity. If you prepare your will with Willis & Willis, PLC, you can be confident that it will be recognized as a legally valid document at probate. Before your property is distributed, the executor of your will must attend to the debts of the estate:
- Creditors are paid for their claims
- Administration fees are paid
- Estate taxes are paid
Your beneficiaries will receive the property that you have assigned to them after this initial process of probate administration.
Revocable living trusts
Sometimes a revocable living trust is used to avoid the costs of probate. This type of trust takes effect during your life. You can retain control over the property you place in the trust by naming yourself as the trustee. Then you name a successor trustee to take over trust administration upon your death. You may also set up subtrusts for estate tax minimization:
- Marital trust
- Family trust
- Qualified domestic trust
Willis & Willis, PLC helps you set up a revocable living trust and shows you how to transfer the title of your property to it. The property becomes unavailable for probate because it legally belongs to the trust.
Wills and trusts used together
Even if you decide to create a living trust, you still need to have a will. A pourover will is used to transfer assets into the trust, which is the will's only beneficiary. This transfer can be necessary under the following conditions:
- You were unable to transfer all of your assets prior to your death
- Your successor trustees did not transfer your assets
- Mistakes were made in titling the assets
If you have minor children, you can also use a will to designate their legal guardians in the event of your death.
Work with an experienced Kalamazoo or Grand Rapids estate and probate lawyer
To get legal advice on trusts, wills and probate in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Paw Paw from a dedicated lawyer, please contact the law firm of Willis & Willis, PLC toll free at 866-676-6190 or submit our online email form. We serve all of West Michigan.
