Why Do You Need Estate Planning?

When most people hear the term “estate plan,” they think of millionaires with sprawling mansions and complicated trusts. But here’s the truth: if you live in Michigan and own anything at all—your car, your house, a bank account, even family heirlooms—you already have an estate.

According to LegalZoom, While 56% of Americans believe that estate planning is important, only 33% of adults in the U.S. have documented their end-of-life plans. Of the estate plans made in 2021, 75.12% were wills, 18.78% were trusts, and 6.1% of people nominated a guardian for their young children.

And without a plan in place, Michigan law—not you—decides what happens to everything you leave behind.

Let’s break down why creating an estate plan isn’t just smart—it’s essential.

1. You Get to Choose What Happens—Not the State

If you pass away without a will or trust in Michigan, your estate goes through probate, and the state follows a strict formula to decide who gets what. This process might:

• Leave out people you intended to provide for (like stepchildren or close friends)

• Delay the distribution of assets

• Lead to family disputes

With a legally binding estate plan, you make those decisions ahead of time, clearly and in writing.

2. Protect Your Family From Unnecessary Stress

Losing a loved one is hard enough without adding legal confusion, court battles, or financial delays to the mix. An estate plan can:

• Name guardians for your minor children

• Outline who gets what—and when

• Reduce family conflict

• Speed up the probate process or avoid it altogether (with tools like a revocable living trust)

This kind of planning brings clarity and peace of mind to the people you care about most.

3. Plan for Incapacity—Not Just Death

Estate planning isn't just about what happens after you’re gone. What if you’re alive but can’t make decisions for yourself due to illness or injury?

Michigan law allows you to create documents such as:

• Durable Power of Attorney (appoints someone to handle your finances)

• Patient Advocate Designation (names someone to make medical decisions for you)

Without these, your loved ones may have to go to court to gain legal authority to help you—an expensive and time-consuming process.

4. Avoid Probate When Possible

Probate in Michigan is a public, court-supervised process. While sometimes necessary, it can be:

• Time-consuming (often taking months or longer)

• Costly (due to legal and court fees)

• Stressful for your family

Tools like living trusts, beneficiary designations, and joint ownership can help your assets transfer directly to loved ones, bypassing probate entirely.

5. Estate Planning Is for Everyone—Not Just the Wealthy

Even if you:

• Rent your home

• Are just starting your career

• Only have modest savings

…you still need a plan. Why? Because estate planning is about control, clarity, and compassion. It ensures your wishes are honored, your loved ones are protected, and your life’s legacy is preserved—on your terms.

Ready to Get Started?

In Michigan, estate planning can be tailored to your needs with the help of an attorney or qualified professional. At minimum, most adults should have:

• A Last Will and Testament

• A Durable Power of Attorney

• A Healthcare Directive

• An Inventory of Assets and Beneficiaries

Whether you are working with an attorney to develop your estate plan, or do it yourself. Contact me when it comes to sign and notarize your signatures on those important documents. I will meet you where it's convenient for you and will patiently be there while you sign.

Contact me today with any questions.