"There’s a misconception that estate planning is just for the rich, but really it’s for everyone. Especially when you have the complications of a second marriage, you want to make sure that your spouse and children are provided for as you intended. At a reasonable cost, we had a Trust drawn up by Estate Planning Legal Services that provides much more control and protection than just a Will. Absolutely, it was a wise decision."
— J.V., Ferndale, Mich.

After putting 30 years in at Ford, I want as much of my savings as possible to stay intact for my heirs. I liked the personal service offered by Estate Planning Legal Services. When setting up the Trust, the attorney spoke in straight English. The face-to-face consultation was very helpful."
— H.K., Farmington Hills, Mich.

Six Reasons to Avoid Probate

1. PRIVACY
Probate allows the intrusion of the court, attorneys, and the public into your private and personal affairs.

2. PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE
Probate lays open your assets for all to see. Wills on file can be read by anyone — and Wills are read. Salesmen, newspaper reporters, and the morbidly curious read them, all seeking one way or another to take advantage of the openness required in the probate process.

3. TIME
Probate will take as little as 6 months to complete, but on average, you can count on 9 months to 2 years.

4. COST
Nationally, the average probate process takes from 5 to 15% of your estate — before your family or other beneficiaries see anything – and gives it to the courts, the attorneys, the state and other outside individuals who must be paid.

5. COMPETENCY
Appoint a loved one to serve as conservator long before the question of competence arises, your family thus avoiding the embarrassing and expensive probate proceeding to prove you are not able to manage your own affairs.

6. MICHIGAN ESTATE RECOVERY ACT
A recently passed Michigan law can put your probated estate in jeopardy of a Medicaid lien.