Estate planning in Michigan
Wills, revocable living trusts, financial powers of attorney and patient advocate designations with Attorney Badri Yono Jr. of Foster Swift Collins & Smith, P.C. In-person appointments in Southeast Michigan and secure video consultations statewide.
Your Michigan estate planning attorney
Attorney Badri Yono Jr. (Michigan Bar P88777) of Foster Swift Collins & Smith, P.C. helps Michigan individuals, families, professionals and business owners with wills, revocable living trusts, trust funding and plan updates. Start with a free consultation request to discuss your goals and compare the available plan options. Legal fees are agreed before work begins.
Southfield office: 28411 Northwestern Hwy Ste 500, Southfield, MI 48034. View Badri Yono Jr.'s credentials and firm profile.
The short answer
The core documents of a Michigan estate plan
| Document | What it does | Michigan signing rule |
|---|---|---|
| Will | Names your personal representative, heirs and guardians for minor children | Signed by you and two witnesses |
| Revocable living trust | Holds assets so they pass without probate; allows staged gifts to heirs | Signed by you; must be funded to work |
| Durable power of attorney | Lets an agent handle money, bills and property if you are incapacitated | Notarized or signed before two witnesses |
| Patient advocate designation | Names who makes medical decisions when you cannot | Two qualified witnesses; advocate signs an acceptance |
| Lady Bird deed | Passes your Michigan home at death without probate while you keep control | Signed, notarized and recorded with the county |
What makes Michigan different
- Michigan's Estates and Protected Individuals Code governs wills, trusts, probate and guardianship; out-of-state forms often miss its details.
- No state estate tax and no inheritance tax, so planning centers on control and probate rather than taxes.
- Lady Bird (enhanced life estate) deeds are recognized, a tool many states do not offer.
- Uncapped property taxes can follow a home transfer; careful titling can preserve the family's capped value in some cases.
- Probate runs through the county probate court where you lived, such as Oakland in Pontiac or Wayne in Detroit.
Probate in Michigan, and how to avoid it
Assets in your name alone with no beneficiary go through probate. Informal probate often takes around a year and is public. A funded trust, a Lady Bird deed, joint ownership and beneficiary designations all move assets outside of it.
Who needs a plan most
Parents of minor children
Parents can discuss guardian nominations and how an inheritance should be managed for children with Attorney Badri Yono Jr. during the consultation.
Homeowners and cottage owners
Bring details of your home, cottage or out-of-state property, including how each property is titled. Attorney Badri Yono Jr. can review those details alongside your estate plan.
Blended families, business owners and aging parents
Share your family relationships, business interests and the people you want to act for you. These details help Attorney Badri Yono Jr. understand your goals before preparing your plan.
How it works with us
- Request a consultation and tell us about your family and property.
- Talk through your goals with Attorney Badri Yono Jr. of Foster Swift Collins & Smith, P.C., in person or by video.
- Review a flat-fee quote and engagement letter before work begins, then receive your draft documents.
- Sign with the required witnesses and notary, then fund your trust and update beneficiaries.
Where we help across Michigan
Attorney Badri Yono Jr. serves Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Washtenaw, Livingston and Genesee counties. Each county page lists its communities and links to available city and township guides. Secure video consultations are available throughout Michigan, with in-person appointments in Southeast Michigan. Costs are covered in what an estate plan costs in Michigan.
Request your consultation
Submit your contact details and county on the consultation form. After submission, a confirmation appears with the next steps: a conflict check, follow-up and a flat-fee quote. Submitting a request does not create an attorney-client relationship; legal services begin after an engagement agreement is executed, subject to its terms.
Request a free consultationMichigan estate planning FAQs
How do I start estate planning in Michigan?
List what you own and how each asset is titled, note who is named as beneficiary on retirement accounts and life insurance, and decide who you trust to act for you. Then meet with Attorney Badri Yono Jr. of Foster Swift Collins & Smith, P.C., who drafts the documents and supervises signing so they meet Michigan formalities.
What documents are in a basic Michigan estate plan?
Most plans include a will, a durable power of attorney for finances, a patient advocate designation for medical decisions, and often a revocable living trust. Families with young children add guardian nominations; homeowners may add a Lady Bird deed.
Does a will need to be notarized in Michigan?
No. A Michigan will must be signed by you and by two witnesses. Notarizing a self-proving statement is common because it makes the will easier to admit in probate, but notarization is not what makes it valid.
Are handwritten wills valid in Michigan?
Michigan recognizes a holographic will if it is dated, signed and the key terms are in your own handwriting. They are frequently challenged over unclear wording, so they are a fallback, not a plan.
Does Michigan have an estate tax or inheritance tax?
No. Michigan has no state estate tax and repealed its inheritance tax. Only very large estates face the federal estate tax.
Do I need a living trust in Michigan, or is a will enough?
A will still goes through probate. A funded living trust lets assets pass privately without probate, which matters most if you own real estate, property in another state, or want to control when heirs receive money. Many Michigan homeowners use a Lady Bird deed as a simpler way to keep the house out of probate.
How much does estate planning cost in Michigan?
Flat fees are common. A will-based plan typically costs less than a trust-based plan, and costs rise with blended families, businesses or special needs planning. See our Michigan cost guide and plan options for current ranges.
What happens if I die without a will in Michigan?
Michigan intestacy law decides who inherits, usually a spouse and children in fixed shares, and the probate court appoints someone to manage the estate. You lose the chance to name guardians, pick your personal representative, or leave anything to friends or charity.
How often should I update my Michigan estate plan?
Review it every three to five years and after major events: marriage, divorce, a birth, a death in the family, a move to or from Michigan, or buying property or a business.
Can I do estate planning online in Michigan?
Yes. Consultations and document review can happen by video, and your attorney coordinates a signing with the required witnesses and notary. A licensed Michigan attorney makes sure the documents actually follow Michigan law, which generic online forms may not.
Talk with Attorney Badri Yono Jr.
Tell us about your family and we'll connect you directly with Attorney Badri Yono Jr. of Foster Swift; with a flat fee quoted in writing before any work begins.