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Warner Norcross + Judd LLP is a corporate law firm with over 230 attorneys serving clients in nine offices throughout Michigan. Among the largest law firms in Michigan, Warner works in virtually all areas of business law.

Michigan Law Firm - Warner Norcross + Judd LLP

Often, I get calls from clients requesting something specific. Many times, clients are requesting a trust. The reasons vary, but I usually hear a version of the same three things: “My friend just made a trust, and they told me that I should have one too” or “I don’t want the nursing home/courts to take my house/money” or “I don’t want my kids to have a hassle when I die.” But, actually, the first question a client should ask me is “What is a Trust?”

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Broadly, a trust is a fiduciary arrangement laid out in a legal document that governs the management and eventual distribution of a person’s assets in line with their goals and intentions. Within that definition is a myriad of different types of trusts with differing purposes.

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The classic lawyer response to this question is “It depends.” The long answer is almost always some combination of the following reasons:

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There are many reasons why a trust might make sense for you. Most people, regardless of the size of their estate, can benefit from trust planning to address and achieve distribution, family legacy or tax goals.

Trusts are not one-size-fits-all, and each document should be tailored to a client’s individual needs. In short, be clear with your estate planning attorney about your goals, and your Warner attorney will come up with the plan that works best for your situation. Contact your Warner estate planning attorney, or Merica Dobry at 231.727.2610, to discuss your individual and family goals and create an estate plan that is right for you.

Senior Counsel

Merica S. Dobry

Estate Settlement and Trust Administration

Trusts and Estates

To Trust or Not to Trust – That is the Question!

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To Trust or Not to Trust – That is the Question!

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