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Legal Insights Blog
Welcome to Our Legal Blog. We’re glad you’re here.
At Beier Howlett, P.C., we know the law can feel overwhelming, and our goal is to make it a little easier to understand. This blog is a place where we break down everyday legal questions, share helpful tips, and talk about what’s happening in the legal world in a way that’s clear and practical.
Whether you’re looking for guidance, exploring your options, or simply curious, we hope you find information here that supports you and answers your questions. Thanks for reading—we’re here to help.
Estate Planning Essentials
A Practical Guide to Understanding Probate in Troy, Michigan
When a family member passes away, their property, accounts, and personal belongings must be legally transferred to the right people. In Michigan, this court-supervised process is called probate. It may sound intimidating, but with the right guidance, it can be managed smoothly. I’m Matt Haupt, a probate attorney with Beier Howlett in Troy, Michigan. I help personal representatives and beneficiaries throughout Oakland County navigate the probate process from start to finish. W
Jan 54 min read
What is a Lady Bird Deed?
A Lady Bird Deed, also called an Enhanced Life Estate Deed, is a type of Quitclaim Deed that can be an important part of an estate plan in Michigan. It is a method for transferring real property to another individual, trust, or entity upon the death of the owner. While other states have similar estate planning practices, Michigan is only one of five states (Florida, Texas, Vermont, and West Virginia) that offer Lady Bird Deeds. How does a Lady Bird Deed work? In a Lady Bird D
Oct 7, 20253 min read
Legal Planning for your 18-Year-Old
Ensuring Your Child’s Safety and Independence in Michigan When your child turns 18, they become a legal adult, gaining independence over their medical, financial, and personal decisions. For parents, this can be a challenging transition. You may no longer have automatic access to your child’s information, even in emergencies. Without proper legal planning, your ability to support your child can be limited. Here’s how you can prepare your 18-year-old for adulthood while ensuri
Aug 13, 20254 min read
What are the Duties of a Trustee?
One of the most important decisions when it comes to creating a Trust is who to name as the Trustee. This job should not be taken lightly. Trustees are responsible for safeguarding your assets for you and your beneficiaries. Trustees are fiduciaries which means that they are legally responsible for handling money and property in the best interest of another individual, not their own. They have a legal duty to put the needs of the trust above their own. The State of Michigan r
Jul 14, 20253 min read
How to Protect Your Furry Family Members
Estate Planning for Pet Owners For many of us, pets aren’t just animals; they’re beloved family members who bring joy and companionship into our lives. However, pets are often overlooked in estate planning, leaving them vulnerable if something happens to their owner. Legally, pets are considered property, which means that without specific provisions in your estate plan, they may end up in shelters or with unintended caregivers. If you want to ensure your pet is protected and
May 14, 20256 min read
5 by 5 Power-Do You Need This Trust Provision?
The 5 by 5 power (or 5 by 5 rule) is an optional trust provision that individuals can use in the estate planning process when creating their trust. This provision gives beneficiaries the option to withdraw money from a trust in a controlled way each year without completely draining the trust or disrupting its long-term goals.
Apr 1, 20253 min read
Estate Planning for Singles
When you are single, it is easy to assume that estate planning is something only families or couples need to think about. However, single individuals have unique considerations in estate planning. Without an immediate next of kin or a spouse, singles face the challenge of ensuring their assets go to the right people and that their healthcare and financial wishes are respected.
Feb 19, 20256 min read
Estate Planning Jargon 101: Get in the Know!
Estate Planning can be a complicated process especially since there is a lot of terminology that can be confusing. Understanding estate planning terminology can help make the estate planning process less overwhelming. Here we will break down a few terms to give you a better understanding of estate planning and what you need to protect you, your future, and your loved ones.
Oct 1, 20245 min read
Estate Planning Preparations
For most of us, thinking about and planning for the end of life or what to do if you become incapacitated can carry a lot of different emotions. Even though it is not something that people want to think about, it is extremely important to have all your affairs in order before you pass or before you become incapacitated, so you can lay out your exact wishes and so your family and loved ones can carry them out for you with as little disruptions as possible.
May 13, 20245 min read
What Happens if you Die Without a Will?
In the event that you die without a will in Michigan, your assets will be distributed to your relatives under Michigan Intestate Succession. This set of laws serves as a default will that instructs how and to whom your assets are distributed.
May 19, 20233 min read
The Importance of Proper Document Execution
When executing documents, it is common for individuals to quickly scan, sign, and date without fully reading or comprehending what is required. Executing a document means that it is signed with the proper protocol. This may include signatures, dates, witnesses, and in some cases, notarization. If a document is not executed properly, it may not be legally valid.
Jan 9, 20233 min read
Guardianships & Conservatorships
There may come a time when a minor child will need someone other than a parent to care for them or manage their assets, or an adult will need someone to care for them or act on their behalf when it comes to their financial or personal affairs. When this type of situation occurs, a guardian or conservator may be appointed by the probate court.
Sep 12, 20224 min read
What are the Different Types of Deeds in Michigan?
A deed is a signed legal document that gives a person title to real estate. Deeds are used to transfer ownership of real estate from one party to another. There are different types of deeds for different circumstances and the State of Michigan recognizes three different types.
May 10, 20222 min read
What is a Trust?
A Trust is a legal arrangement by which assets are held for someone’s benefit. The person who creates the Trust is called the Grantor, Settlor, or Trustor.
Dec 29, 20214 min read
The Hospital Asked if I had an Advance Directive...Do I?
“Advance directive” is a term that encompasses a variety of documents that allow you to provide direction about how you want to be cared for, including a DNR order, living will, durable power of attorney for health care or a patient advocate designation. Below is a description of these various types of advance directives, and the circumstances under which they may be appropriate.
Mar 16, 20214 min read
Patient Advocate Designations
The COVID-19 pandemic has caught virtually all of us by surprise. Stay-home orders have given us time to tend to our to-do lists. If it is not already on your to-do list, consider adding a review of your estate plan documents to that list. Check to see if you have given your trusted loved ones the authority and information they need to care for you if you become incapacitated for a period of time.
May 22, 20203 min read
Do You Have A Pet Trust?
If you decide to create a pet trust, you should compile a list of information that would be important for whoever receives Fido at your death or incapacity, whether a family member or some other caretaker.
Feb 21, 20204 min read
Status of the Federal Estate Tax
In 2001 Congress enacted legislation gradually increasing in the federal estate tax exemption from $675,000 in 2001 to $3.5 million in 2009 and decreasing the top marginal estate tax rate from 55% to 45%. The legislation also included repeal of the federal estate tax for 2010 only.
Mar 23, 20123 min read
Is it Time for an Estate Planning Checkup?
Like a finely tuned automobile, once an Estate Plan has been established, it requires regular maintenance to ensure that its components are working properly. Without a regular tune-up, it’s not going to run smoothly when it’s time to perform.
Mar 23, 20122 min read
Trust Protector-Ease Family Tensions
A Trust Protector is a person or committee named in a trust agreement to direct certain actions with respect to the trust. This person/committee is neither the person who created the trust, nor the trustee.
Mar 23, 20122 min read
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