Estate Planning Attorney Utica
We've Helped 1,000s of Clients Protect Their Families, Money, and Property Through Estate Planning
Estate Planning | Will | Trust | Probate
Chris Atallah Esq.
Founder and Managing Partner
Author of "The Ultimate Guide to Wills & Trusts - Estate Planning for Michigan Families"
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“Had no idea how to do a will or trust, but Chris made the experience very easy. He was very helpful. He was very understanding and extremely easy to work with. He understood what we needed and walked us through step by step. I would definitely recommend him. Thanks Chris!”
- Kim L.
Experienced Estate Planning Attorney In Utica Can Help You Secure The Future For Your Family And Loved Ones
Utica is one of the most enjoyable towns in Macomb County with a downtown that’s full of life. Whether you’re meeting friends for dinner and drinks downtown, catching a baseball game with the family at Jimmy John’s Field, or enjoying a day at one of the many parks the town has to offer, Utica has it all.
Our founder, Chris Atallah, has dedicated his legal practice to helping our neighbors secure their families through comprehensive Estate Planning. We frequently help our neighbors in Utica customize Estate Plans for their families. If you are a Utica resident looking for an Estate Planning solution, we can help.
We never know what could happen to us tomorrow. Which is why it’s so important to prepare an Estate Plan today. Our experienced Michigan Estate Planning Attorneys in Utica are ready to help you develop a unique Estate Plan, custom tailored to your specific needs. Whether you need a Will, Living Trust, comprehensive Estate Plan, or help navigating the complexities of Probate, our Estate Planning Lawyers in Utica can help you design a comprehensive plan to protect your family, money, and property from the expensive costs and legal battles that can happen in Probate Court.
Utica Estate Planning Attorneys Can Help You With:
- Comprehensive Estate Plans
- Specialty Estate Planning
- Small Business Owners
- International
- Post Divorce
- Will Preparation
- Last Will and Testament
- Living Wills
- Trust Preparation
- Living Trusts
- Revocable Trusts
- Irrevocable Trusts
- Special Needs Planning
- Medicaid Planning
- Elder Care Planning
- Probate and Trust Administration
- Trustee Services
- Asset Protection Planning
- Guardianship/Conservatorship
- Financial Power of Attorney
- Medical Power of Attorney
- Deed Drafting
- Michigan Lady Bird Deeds
Enjoy Peace of Mind
- Free Phone Consultations
- No Need To Travel
- No Hidden Fees
- Streamlined Processes
- Fast, Easy, Stress Free
Our 4 Step Process Makes Estate Planning Simple
Request A Free Consultation
Discuss Your Situation With An Attorney On The Phone
We'll Create A Plan Based On Your Unique Goals
Work With Us To Complete Your Estate Plan
Reserve Your Free Consultation Today!
What Happens To My Family If I Pass Without An Estate Plan?
Family forced into Probate Court, even if you had a Will.
Family must publicly declare your assets and their values to the county.
Heirs are accidentally disqualified from needed benefits.
Assets involuntarily end up in the hands of creditors, bankruptcy courts, or ex-spouses.
Easily avoidable taxes, Probate fees, court costs, and legal fees drain your Estate leaving little for your family.
Loved ones are accidentally disinherited.
Drawn out court battles between family.
Large sums are given to the children with substance problems or who are too young or immature to handle them.
Is Estate Planning For Me?
When we refer to “Estate Planning”, we’re talking about the process of transferring your money, property, and assets to your loved ones after you’re gone – in the most efficient way possible. It also includes planning for what might happen to you while you’re still alive, for example, if you become extremely ill and need someone to care for you. It’s important to remember that Estate Planning is about much more than just signing documents. It’s about designing and implementing a personalized plan, in the simplest way possible, to protect your family and loved ones from devastating court battles and financial hardships that can occur after you pass.
Everyone has an “Estate”. An Estate is simply all of your money, property, assets, and debt that you own at the time of your death. This can be your house, cars, bank accounts, investment portfolios, family heirlooms etc. Estate Planning isn’t just for the ultra-wealthy, it’s for everyone.
3 Major Benefits Of Estate Planning
Avoid Probate
and Death Tax
A Utica Estate Planning Attorney can help you keep more money in the family by avoiding potentially lengthy and expensive court proceedings and unnecessary taxes.
Keep your personal and financial matters private
Proper Estate Planning can avoid the Probate Court process, so there is no need to make your assets or your personal wishes public. Most transfers take place in private within weeks instead of over the course of years in probate.
Maintain control of your finances after you pass
Continue to protect your family, even after you're gone: delay distributions until children reach a certain age or graduate; make sure money doesn't fall into the hands of creditors and ex-spouses; & make sure that special needs children still qualify for benefits.
Avoid Probate Court With The Help Of A
Utica Estate Planning Attorney
Why Should I Avoid Probate?
1. Probate can be expensive...
Probate is the legal process through which the court ensures that, when you die, your debts are paid and your assets are distributed according to Michigan law. It can be very expensive. Legal fees, executor fees, inventory fees (county taxes), and other costs have to be paid before your assets can be fully distributed to your heirs. If you own property in other states, your family could face multiple probates, each one according to the laws in that state. These costs can vary widely, but we’ve had clients who had to pay tens of thousands of dollars throughout the Probate process. In general, Probate is much, much more expensive than doing some simple Estate Planning in advance.
2. Probate can take a long time...
It takes a long time… In Michigan, the standard probate process takes a minimum of 5 months to complete. However, over the past decade we’ve experienced that it generally takes 9 months to a year to resolve simple cases (and several years for contested cases). We once represented a client whose Probate lasted for 8 years!
3. Probate is public...
Your family has little privacy in probate court. Probate is a public process, so anyone can see the size of your Estate (often what you actually owned), who you owed debts to, who will receive your assets, and when they will receive them. The process invites upset heirs to contest your Will and can expose your family to lawsuits from greedy creditors and potential fraudsters.
If you are looking for the best Estate Planning solution to protect your loved ones, we can help you. Contact us today at (248) 613-0007 for a free consultation with an experienced Estate Planning Attorney.
Reserve Your Free Consultation Today!
Estate Planning Document Comparison
Decide who will receive your assets after you pass and appoint someone to carry out your wishes.
Transfer your assets to beneficiaries after your death.
Reduce death taxes, avoid probate fees, and preserve privacy for your family.
Name guardians for minor children.
Avoid probate court.
Make end of life decisions so your family does not have to - i.e. use of life support, hospice care, etc.
Name someone to handle your financial and legal affairs if you are incapacitated.
Name someone to make medical decisions for you if you are unable.
Decide who will receive your assets after you pass and appoint someone to carry out your wishes.
Transfer your assets to beneficiaries after your death.
Reduce death taxes, avoid probate fees, and preserve privacy for your family.
Name guardians for minor children.
Avoid probate court.
Make end of life decisions so your family does not have to - i.e. use of life support, hospice care, etc.
Name someone to handle your financial and legal affairs if you are incapacitated.
Name someone to make medical decisions for you if you are unable.
Decide who will receive your assets after you pass and appoint someone to carry out your wishes.
Transfer your assets to beneficiaries after your death.
Reduce death taxes, avoid probate fees, and preserve privacy for your family.
Name guardians for minor children.
Avoid probate court.
Make end of life decisions so your family does not have to - i.e. use of life support, hospice care, etc.
Name someone to handle your financial and legal affairs if you are incapacitated.
Name someone to make medical decisions for you if you are unable.
Decide who will receive your assets after you pass and appoint someone to carry out your wishes.
Transfer your assets to beneficiaries after your death.
Reduce death taxes, avoid probate fees, and preserve privacy for your family.
Name guardians for minor children.
Avoid probate court.
Make end of life decisions so your family does not have to - i.e. use of life support, hospice care, etc.
Name someone to handle your financial and legal affairs if you are incapacitated.
Name someone to make medical decisions for you if you are unable.
Decide who will receive your assets after you pass and appoint someone to carry out your wishes.
Transfer your assets to beneficiaries after your death.
Reduce death taxes, avoid probate fees, and preserve privacy for your family.
Name guardians for minor children.
Avoid probate court.
Make end of life decisions so your family does not have to - i.e. use of life support, hospice care, etc.
Name someone to handle your financial and legal affairs if you are incapacitated.
Name someone to make medical decisions for you if you are unable.
Decide who will receive your assets after you pass and appoint someone to carry out your wishes.
Transfer your assets to beneficiaries after your death.
Reduce death taxes, avoid probate fees, and preserve privacy for your family.
Name guardians for minor children.
Avoid probate court.
Make end of life decisions so your family does not have to - i.e. use of life support, hospice care, etc.
Name someone to handle your financial and legal affairs if you are incapacitated.
Name someone to make medical decisions for you if you are unable.
Still unsure which Estate Planning documents would be best for your unique situation? Contact us today at (248) 613-0007 for a free consultation with an experienced Estate Planning Attorney.
Reserve Your Free Consultation Today!
Peace of Mind Is Only One Call Away
Chris Atallah Esq. - Founder and Managing Partner
"I had a great experience setting up my trust with Chris. He explained everything clearly and never made me feel rushed. I felt more like I was dealing with my family than with my lawyer. He has been very easy to work with and I couldn’t be more happier that I selected him. Thank you for being so patient and understanding. You made this experience very easy for me and I respect that you are so passionate about what you do and who you help. I feel secure knowing your handling my estate planning and can’t thank you enough."
- Jennifer M.
Why Clients Choose Us
We Make Estate Planning Easy and Stress Free
Free Consultations
No Hidden Fees
Streamlined Processes
We've Helped 1,000s of Clients Estate Plan
It’s our goal to give you outstanding customer service. We want you to feel knowledgeable and comfortable about all of your planning options and what we can do to help. We want to empower you to make great decisions so that you have the peace of mind knowing that your family will be taken care of, even if you’re no longer there to take care of them yourself. That’s why we provide free consultations & practical guidance.
Customized Plans and Flexible Options Based On Your Needs
At Rochester Law Center, we promise to always deliver you the following:
- Customized Wills, Trusts, and Estate Plans to fit your needs
- Unlimited access to your attorney throughout the entire planning process
- No surprise costs – we quote flat fees
- Installment plans to help you get started now and pay over time
- No obligation consultations and no high pressure sales tactics
- Personalized and friendly service
We understand that your family and your business planning needs are unique. That’s why we take a personalized approach to ensure that all of your needs are taken care of properly – the first time.
We Never Know What May Happen Tomorrow...
Prepare Your Estate Plan Today!
Request A Free Consultation
Discuss Your Situation With An Attorney On The Phone
We'll Create A Plan Based On Your Unique Goals
Work With Us To Complete Your Estate Plan
Contact us today at (248) 613-0007 for a free consultation with an experienced Estate Planning Attorney.
Reserve Your Free Consultation Today!
Rochester Law Center Office Location
Serving Utica, Metro-Detroit and All Of SE Michigan
LOCATED
Phone: (248) 613-0007
Fax: (248) 462-7865
CONTACT US
Phone: (248) 613-0007
Fax: (248) 462-7865
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