Portage Estate Lawyer, Michigan

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Michael J. Willis Lawyer

Michael J. Willis

VERIFIED *Status is reviewed annually. For latest information visit here
Bankruptcy & Debt, Wills & Probate, Contract, Elder Law, Estate Planning
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Michael Willis founded this firm with his brother, Shaun Patrick Willis. Their father, Hon. Frank D. Willis, is the probate judge for Van Buren Count... (more)

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Shaun P. Willis Lawyer

Shaun P. Willis

VERIFIED *Status is reviewed annually. For latest information visit here
Accident & Injury, Real Estate, Criminal, Estate, Elder Law

Shaun Willis, along with his brother Michael, is a co-founder and Partner of Willis Law. Willis Law has offices in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and Paw Pa... (more)

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John J. Conlon, Esq.

Criminal, Divorce & Family Law, Accident & Injury, Estate
Status:  In Good Standing *Status is reviewed annually. For latest information visit here           Licensed:  53 Years

John Patrick Lennon

Estate Planning, Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate
Status:  In Good Standing *Status is reviewed annually. For latest information visit here           Licensed:  32 Years

Staci L. Salisbury

Business Organization, Collection, Estate, Credit & Debt, Estate Planning
Status:  In Good Standing *Status is reviewed annually. For latest information visit here           Licensed:  10 Years

Lori L. Coates Hay

Dispute Resolution, Estate Planning, Labor Law, Criminal
Status:  In Good Standing *Status is reviewed annually. For latest information visit here           Licensed:  34 Years

Robert E. Thall

Land Use & Zoning, Estate Planning, Limited Liability Companies, Business
Status:  In Good Standing *Status is reviewed annually. For latest information visit here           Licensed:  33 Years

Charles R. Bear

Real Estate, Estate, Bankruptcy & Debt, Medical Malpractice
Status:  In Good Standing *Status is reviewed annually. For latest information visit here           Licensed:  43 Years

Robert A. Wise

International Tax, Estate Planning, Divorce, Criminal
Status:  In Good Standing *Status is reviewed annually. For latest information visit here           Licensed:  25 Years

Scott Steven Chu

Landlord-Tenant, Real Estate, Trusts, Civil Rights
Status:  In Good Standing *Status is reviewed annually. For latest information visit here           Licensed:  11 Years

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LEGAL TERMS

TAKING AGAINST THE WILL

A procedure under state law that gives a surviving spouse the right to demand a certain share (usually one-third to one-half) of the deceased spouse's property.... (more...)
A procedure under state law that gives a surviving spouse the right to demand a certain share (usually one-third to one-half) of the deceased spouse's property. The surviving spouse can take that share instead of accepting whatever he or she inherited through the deceased spouse's will. If the surviving spouse decides to take the statutory share, it's called 'taking against the will.' Dower and curtesy is another name for the same legal process.

GENERATION-SKIPPING TRUST

A trust designed to save on estate tax. The trust principal is preserved for the trust maker's grandchildren, with his or her children receiving only income fro... (more...)
A trust designed to save on estate tax. The trust principal is preserved for the trust maker's grandchildren, with his or her children receiving only income from the trust. Because the children (the middle generation) never legally own the property, it isn't subject to estate tax at their death. See generation-skipping transfer tax.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

All property other than land and buildings attached to land. Cars, bank accounts, wages, securities, a small business, furniture, insurance policies, jewelry, p... (more...)
All property other than land and buildings attached to land. Cars, bank accounts, wages, securities, a small business, furniture, insurance policies, jewelry, patents, pets and season baseball tickets are all examples of personal property. Personal property may also be called personal effects, movable property, goods and chattel, and personalty. Compare real estate.

HEIR AT LAW

A person entitled to inherit property under intestate succession laws.

EXECUTOR

The person named in a will to handle the property of someone who has died. The executor collects the property, pays debts and taxes, and then distributes what's... (more...)
The person named in a will to handle the property of someone who has died. The executor collects the property, pays debts and taxes, and then distributes what's left, as specified in the will. The executor also handles any probate court proceedings and notifies people and organizations of the death. Also called personal representatives.

INTER VIVOS TRUST

The Latin name, favored by some lawyers, for a living trust. 'Inter vivos' is Latin for 'between the living.'

ADEMPTION

The failure of a bequest of property in a will. The gift fails (is 'adeemed') because the person who made the will no longer owns the property when he or she di... (more...)
The failure of a bequest of property in a will. The gift fails (is 'adeemed') because the person who made the will no longer owns the property when he or she dies. Often this happens because the property has been sold, destroyed or given away to someone other than the beneficiary named in the will. A bequest may also be adeemed when the will maker, while still living, gives the property to the intended beneficiary (called 'ademption by satisfaction'). When a bequest is adeemed, the beneficiary named in the will is out of luck; he or she doesn't get cash or a different item of property to replace the one that was described in the will. For example, Mark writes in his will, 'I leave to Rob the family vehicle,' but then trades in his car in for a jet ski. When Mark dies, Rob will receive nothing. Frustrated beneficiaries may challenge an ademption in court, especially if the property was not clearly identified in the first place.

STATUTORY SHARE

The portion of a deceased person's estate that a spouse is entitled to claim under state law. The statutory share is usually one-third or one-half of the deceas... (more...)
The portion of a deceased person's estate that a spouse is entitled to claim under state law. The statutory share is usually one-third or one-half of the deceased spouse's property, but in some states the exact amount of the spouse's share depends on whether or not the couple has young children and, in a few states, on how long the couple was married. In most states, if the deceased spouse left a will, the surviving spouse must choose either what the will provides or the statutory share. Sometimes the statutory share is known by its more arcane legal name, dower and curtesy, or as a forced or elective share.

TRUSTEE

The person who manages assets owned by a trust under the terms of the trust document. A trustee's purpose is to safeguard the trust and distribute trust income ... (more...)
The person who manages assets owned by a trust under the terms of the trust document. A trustee's purpose is to safeguard the trust and distribute trust income or principal as directed in the trust document. With a simple probate-avoidance living trust, the person who creates the trust is also the trustee.

   More Legal Terms...

SAMPLE LEGAL CASES

In re Kostin Estate

In Docket No. 272767, respondent Camille A. Kent appeals as of right the probate court's judgment and order following a bench trial, interpreting a will and trust, determining heirs and devisees, and determining title to property after decedent Juanita Kostin's death in 2004. ...

In re Nestorovski Estate

723 Payne, Broder & Fossee (by Andrew J. Broder) and Underwood & March (by Lauren M. Underwood), Bingham Farms, for the petitioner. ... Kemp Klein Law Firm, PC (by Alan A. May and Debra Nance), Troy, for the respondent. ... Before: SAAD, CJ, and BORRELLO and ...

In re Rudell Estate

During her lifetime, the decedent owned a certain parcel of residential real property located at 1170 Chesterfield in Birmingham, Michigan (the property). In 1982, the decedent properly transferred ownership of the property to the trust. According to the complaint filed in this matter, the ...

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