Our trust and estate attorneys guide individuals, families and fiduciaries through the difficult decision-making process that follows the passing of a loved one. We help simplify the process by collecting assets, paying creditors and taxes, and transferring the remaining assets to beneficiaries. We regularly provide representation in audits with the IRS and other tax-collection agencies. We administer trusts of all kinds and provide assistance with forms, deeds, accountings and other administrative tasks. We also counsel individuals and families who need assistance with after-death tax planning.
experience
Videos and Podcasts
- Is Your Family’s Planning Actually Ready for an Unexpected Incapacity or Death? Stress Testing Your Estate Planning – Step 1Legacy Matters
- Does a Fiduciary Have a Duty to Always Sell Real Estate to the Highest Bidder?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Do the Young Adults in Your Family Have Estate Planning Documents?Legacy Matters
- Current Tax Laws That Will Expire After 2025 if Congress Does Not ActLegacy Matters
- 12 Steps for Avoiding Identity Theft After the Death of a Loved OneLegacy Matters
- Michigan’s New Uniform Power of Attorney Act Effective July 1Legacy Matters
- Do You Have Choice of Counsel in Insurance Litigation?Legacy Matters
- Michigan Court of Appeals Agrees that Personal Representative Could Not Pay Legal Fees from Estate AssetsMichigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Trial Win for Warner Clients in Dispute Over Decedent’s AssetsMichigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Trusts 101, Part 3 – Trust Acronyms ExplainedLegacy Matters
- Hot Topics for Private Clients and Family Offices from the 2024 Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning – Part TwoLegacy Matters
- Michigan Court of Appeals Clarifies Legal Standards for Interpreting Trust AgreementsMichigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Hot Topics for Private Clients and Family Offices from 2024 Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning – Part OneLegacy Matters
- Trusts 101: Living or Testamentary; Revocable or Irrevocable; Grantor and Non-Grantor – What Does All of This Mean?Legacy Matters
- How Much Evidence is Necessary for a Will or Trust Contestant to Carry Burden of Proof?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- When are Probate Court Decisions and Arbitration Decisions of Probate Disputes Appealable?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- How Should a Personal Representative Respond When Interested Persons Disagree Over Validity of a Proffered Will?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Incorporating Gratitude Into Your Family’s Life Yields Wellness BenefitsLegacy Matters
- When Can the Probate Court Bypass a Nominated Personal Representative in a Will and Appoint Someone Else?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Private Client and Family Office Practice Welcomed Eric Allyn to Warner’s Family Engagement SymposiumLegacy Matters
- Did Woman Have Sufficient Mental Capacity to Deed One-Half of Her Real Property to Boyfriend?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Do Estate Beneficiaries Have a Default Right to Live in Estate Property Rent Free Until the Property is Distributed?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Does Everyone in Your Family Have Completed Estate Planning Documents?Legacy Matters
- Trusts 101: What is a Trust and How is it Created?Legacy Matters
- Should I Use a Professional Advisor as My Trustee?Legacy Matters
- When is a Court Filing Considered “Frivolous,” Allowing for Court Sanctions?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Three Estate and Gift Tax Strategies to Consider Before Selling Your BusinessLegacy Matters
- Does a Declaration of Trust Ownership Convert a Beneficiary Designation to a Trust Asset?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Can a Court Change the Beneficiaries of a Trust if Estate Planning Changes Were Intended but not Accomplished Before Death?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Shared Ownership of Family Cottages, Part Three: Creating a Governance Agreement for a Shared PropertyLegacy Matters
- Are Oral Instructions for Real Estate Transfers Enforceable in Probate Court?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Shared Ownership of Family Cottages, Part Two: Ownership Structures for Shared Family PropertyLegacy Matters
- Undue Influence Claims: Does Assisting an Elderly Person with Their Finances Create a Confidential/Fiduciary Relationship?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Shared Ownership of Family Cottages, Part One: Does It Make Sense to Pass the Cottage to Future Generations?Legacy Matters
- When May a Probate Court Appoint a Temporary Guardian for an Incapacitated Person?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- When Must a Fiduciary Relationship Exist to Establish Presumption of Undue Influence?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- A Reminder of a Fiduciary’s Duty to Use Forms Approved by the State Court Administrative OfficeMichigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- When a Non-trustee Helps Administer the TrustMichigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- May the Surviving Co-grantor of a Joint Trust Amend or Revoke the Trust After the Death of the First Grantor?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Two Methods to Curtail a Litigious Beneficiary in Probate CourtMichigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- More Marriages Being Contested In Probate LitigationMichigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Powerful Procedural Tool to Recover the Assets of an Estate, Trust or an Incapacitated PersonMichigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Binding Non-participating Interested Persons Under a Mediation Settlement Agreement in Probate LitigationMichigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Was the Trust Beneficiary Entitled to In-kind Distribution of Trust Assets?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Reflections on 2022 – A Year of UncertaintyLegacy Matters
- Charitable Giving – It’s Not Just for DecemberLegacy Matters
- Year-End Tax Planning OpportunitiesLegacy Matters
- Charitable Giving – Make It a Family DiscussionLegacy Matters
- October 17 – 21 Is National Estate Planning Awareness WeekLegacy Matters
- Michigan Court of Appeals Rules on Propriety of Terminating Trust for Beneficiary Who Recovered from DisabilityMichigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- How To Be a Good Trust BeneficiaryLegacy Matters
- Midwest Trust and Wealth Management Conference
- Meals on Wheels Western Michigan: Planned Giving Lunch and Learn
- ICLE 36th Annual Tax Conference
- ICLE 64th Annual Probate & Estate Planning Institute Seminar
- Michigan Venture Capital Association’s Corporate Transparency Act Webinar
- Midland Business Alliance: What You Need to Know About the Corporate Transparency Act
- City Life Church Presents Financial Foundations
- ICLE 22nd Annual Family Law Institute
- ICLE Seminar: Pre- and Postnuptial Agreements
- Family Business Alliance 2023: Exploring Family Ownership Structures: Slicing the Pie
- 63rd Annual Probate & Estate Planning Institute Seminar – Plymouth
- 63rd Annual Probate & Estate Planning Institute Seminar – Acme
- Transitioning Your Business … Selling Your Business … Succession Planning …
- Michigan Association of CPAs: Forensic Accounting and Valuation Services Conference
- Warner Partner Sara A. Nicholson Elected as Fellow to American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
- Raquel S. Sportel Joins Warner
- Estate Planning and the Holidays Really Do Mix: Warner Partner Beth O’Laughlin Talks with West Michigan Media
- Warner Elder Law Attorney Catherine Jacobs Talks with WOOD TV About Aging Parents
- Scott J. DeWeerd Joins Warner
- Annual Michigan Capital Network Fund Update
- Danelle Harrington Joins Stevens Center for Family Business Executive Council
- Warner Partner David L.J.M. Skidmore Elected Chair of Probate and Estate Planning Section of Michigan State Bar
- Six Warner Attorneys, Firm Named Top Leaders in Chambers High Net Worth 2021 Guide
- Warner Partner Gregory Demers Presents at Mackinac Center’s Virtual Estate Planning Event
- Laura Morris, Jennifer Remondino Named to 40 Under 40 Business Leaders 2020 Class
- Mark Harder on Estate, Tax Planning Ideas for a COVID-19 Economy Holland Sentinal
- Warner Attorneys to Participate in Leadership Programs
- Mark K. Harder Elected Treasurer of the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area
- Five Warner Attorneys Recognized as Leaders in Their Field in Chambers High Net Worth Guide
- Two Warner Partners Named to Grand Rapids Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 List
- Your estate may not be as complex as Aretha Franklin, but you still need a will
- Sara A. Nicholson Joins Warner
- Michigan Lawyers Weekly Honors Jennifer L. Remondino in 2018 Leading “Women in the Law”
- Warner Names New Executive Partner at Muskegon Office
- Is Your Family’s Planning Actually Ready for an Unexpected Incapacity or Death? Stress Testing Your Estate Planning – Step 1
- Does a Fiduciary Have a Duty to Always Sell Real Estate to the Highest Bidder?
- Do the Young Adults in Your Family Have Estate Planning Documents?
- Current Tax Laws That Will Expire After 2025 if Congress Does Not Act
- 12 Steps for Avoiding Identity Theft After the Death of a Loved One
- Michigan’s New Uniform Power of Attorney Act Effective July 1
- Do You Have Choice of Counsel in Insurance Litigation?
- Michigan Court of Appeals Agrees that Personal Representative Could Not Pay Legal Fees from Estate Assets
- Trial Win for Warner Clients in Dispute Over Decedent’s Assets
- Trusts 101, Part 3 – Trust Acronyms Explained
- Hot Topics for Private Clients and Family Offices from the 2024 Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning – Part Two
- Michigan Court of Appeals Clarifies Legal Standards for Interpreting Trust Agreements
- Hot Topics for Private Clients and Family Offices from 2024 Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning – Part One
- Trusts 101: Living or Testamentary; Revocable or Irrevocable; Grantor and Non-Grantor – What Does All of This Mean?
- How Much Evidence is Necessary for a Will or Trust Contestant to Carry Burden of Proof?
- When are Probate Court Decisions and Arbitration Decisions of Probate Disputes Appealable?
- How Should a Personal Representative Respond When Interested Persons Disagree Over Validity of a Proffered Will?
- Michigan’s New Uniform Power of Attorney Act
- When Can the Probate Court Bypass a Nominated Personal Representative in a Will and Appoint Someone Else?
- Private Client and Family Office Practice Welcomed Eric Allyn to Warner’s Family Engagement Symposium
- Did Woman Have Sufficient Mental Capacity to Deed One-Half of Her Real Property to Boyfriend?
- Do Estate Beneficiaries Have a Default Right to Live in Estate Property Rent Free Until the Property is Distributed?
- Does Everyone in Your Family Have Completed Estate Planning Documents?
- Trusts 101: What is a Trust and How is it Created?
- Should I Use a Professional Advisor as My Trustee?
- Estate Planning Focus – Summer 2023
- Summer 2023 Attorney Spotlight – Trusts and Estates Practice Group
- Planning Documents for College-aged Children
- Passing the Family Cottage to the Next Generations
- When is a Court Filing Considered “Frivolous,” Allowing for Court Sanctions?
- Three Estate and Gift Tax Strategies to Consider Before Selling Your Business
- Does a Declaration of Trust Ownership Convert a Beneficiary Designation to a Trust Asset?
- Can a Court Change the Beneficiaries of a Trust if Estate Planning Changes Were Intended but not Accomplished Before Death?
- Shared Ownership of Family Cottages, Part Three: Creating a Governance Agreement for a Shared Property
- Are Oral Instructions for Real Estate Transfers Enforceable in Probate Court?
- Estate Planning Focus — Spring 2023
- Estate Planning for Blended Families
- Celebrity Estate Planning Mistakes: Kobe Bryant
- Attorney Spotlight: Scott DeWeerd
- Shared Ownership of Family Cottages, Part Two: Ownership Structures for Shared Family Property
- Undue Influence Claims: Does Assisting an Elderly Person with Their Finances Create a Confidential/Fiduciary Relationship?
- Shared Ownership of Family Cottages, Part One: Does It Make Sense to Pass the Cottage to Future Generations?
- When May a Probate Court Appoint a Temporary Guardian for an Incapacitated Person?
- When Must a Fiduciary Relationship Exist to Establish Presumption of Undue Influence?
- A Reminder of a Fiduciary’s Duty to Use Forms Approved by the State Court Administrative Office
- When a Non-trustee Helps Administer the Trust
- May the Surviving Co-grantor of a Joint Trust Amend or Revoke the Trust After the Death of the First Grantor?
- Two Methods to Curtail a Litigious Beneficiary in Probate Court
- More Marriages Being Contested In Probate Litigation
- Powerful Procedural Tool to Recover the Assets of an Estate, Trust or an Incapacitated Person
- Binding Non-participating Interested Persons Under a Mediation Settlement Agreement in Probate Litigation
- Was the Trust Beneficiary Entitled to In-kind Distribution of Trust Assets?
- Reflections on 2022 – A Year of Uncertainty
- Charitable Giving – It’s Not Just for December
- Year-End Tax Planning Opportunities
- Your 7-Step Checklist for a Disabled Child Turning 18
- Coordinate Saving for College with Your Estate Planning
- Before You Say “I Do,” Do Some Marital Planning
- Estate Planning for Millennials and Gen Zers
- Attorney Spotlight: Nina Lucido
- Charitable Giving – Make It a Family Discussion
- October 17 – 21 Is National Estate Planning Awareness Week
- Michigan Court of Appeals Rules on Propriety of Terminating Trust for Beneficiary Who Recovered from Disability
- How To Be a Good Trust Beneficiary
- Estate Planning Focus – Spring 2022
- To Trust or Not to Trust – That is the Question!
- Nursing Home Medicaid Qualification Doesn’t End with an Approval of Benefits
- 10 Steps for Avoiding Identity Theft after the Death of a Loved One
- Estate Planning Focus – Fall 2020
- Attorney Spotlight: Frank Henke
- Attorney Spotlight – Beth O’Laughlin
- Estate Planning Focus – Winter 2020
- Estate Planning Focus – Fall 2019
- Who Can I Trust to Be My Trustee?
- Estate Planning Focus – Spring 2018
- Putting Adult Children on Bank Accounts is Risky