At the Law Office of Julie A. Paquette, we provide comprehensive estate planning services tailored to meet your unique needs and goals. Our experienced team is dedicated to helping our Michigan clients navigate the complexities of everything from wills and trusts to powers of attorney and healthcare directives.
Grand Rapids Michigan
Estate Planning Lawyers
At the Law Office of Julie A. Paquette, we provide comprehensive estate planning services tailored to meet your unique needs and goals. Our experienced team is dedicated to helping our Michigan clients navigate the complexities of everything from wills and trusts to powers of attorney and healthcare directives.
Our Grand Rapids Michigan Estate Planning Services
No one likes to think about a future without them in it. But if you’re reading this, you already know you need to take a step forward to protect your family’s legacy.
At the Law Office of Julie A. Paquette, we believe creating an estate plan shouldn’t feel like a burden. That’s why our team is here to help you take that burden off your shoulders. We’ll walk you through all your options and help you feel comfortable making the decisions for all the “what if”s your family may face.
Our Grand Rapids Michigan Estate Planning Services
No one likes to think about a future without them in it. But if you’re reading this, you already know you need to take a step forward to protect your family’s legacy.
At the Law Office of Julie A. Paquette, we believe creating an estate plan shouldn’t feel like a burden. That’s why our team is here to help you take that burden off your shoulders. We’ll walk you through all your options and help you feel comfortable making the decisions for all the “what if”s your family may face.
Wills
The will is the best-known tool in the estate planning process. It is an important document that outlines your wishes for inheritance, distribution of property, and guardianship of children. However, it’s important to note that a will does not provide you with probate-avoidance at your death. A will also cannot help keep you out of probate if you have an incapacity or an injury.
Deeds
In Michigan, we have a special type that operates like a beneficiary designation on your bank account, where you can have your home or other real estate transferred immediately upon your death to your intended recipient or your trust – without having to go through probate.
Powers of Attorney
This is a document that allows you to nominate someone to make decisions for you – either healthcare decisions or financial decisions – in the event that you lose capacity or you’re injured or contract a sudden illness. In this situation, you’ve nominated who you want to make decisions for you, rather than leaving that up to a probate judge.
Trusts
A trust is an important document that allows you to nominate who you want in charge of distributing your assets and how you want your assets disposed of. A trust gives you more protection and flexibility than a will does. It also allows for the protection of property for the benefit of minors or young adults in the event that you have children or grandchildren who will be benefiting from your estate who are not yet old enough to manage that money wisely for themselves.
Probate
Probate is the legal process of administering your estate after you pass away. It involves validating your will, paying off any outstanding debts or taxes, and distributing your remaining assets according to your wishes or state law if you haven’t made a will. While probate can be a necessary step, it can also be time-consuming, costly, and public. A well-crafted estate plan can often minimize or even avoid the probate process altogether, ensuring a smoother transition of your assets to your loved ones.
What is Estate Planning?
We know it can be overwhelming to think about all the decisions to be made about the future – about your own possible incapacity, what will happen to your family if you are not around, and how will your property be transferred after your death.
But after you pass away, you don’t want any confusion about your wishes for your assets and your family – and you also don’t want to leave behind a mess for your loved ones to deal with through the probate process.
Putting an estate plan in place ensures all of your assets go where you want them to go at the time you designate.
Some common assets you may want in your plan include:
- Property and real estate
- Personal items (i.e., furniture, jewelry, cars)
- Money in checking and savings accounts
- Stocks, bonds, and investments
- Intangible assets (patents, trademarks, etc.)
Estate planning concerns not only your possessions, but also the people you love and care most about. That’s why our team works with you to create a customized plan tailored to your family’s specific needs.
What Our Grand Rapids Michigan Clients Say
”“You know an attorney is good when other attorneys rely on her knowledge and experience! I used the Law Office of Julie A. Paquette for my own estate planning needs and have referred numerous clients to her.”
~ Stephanie G.
”“After another office failed to resolve my grandmother’s estate and stopped responding to my dad and me, we got Julie involved. She resolved it expeditiously and at reasonable rates. My only regret is not having her as the executor from the beginning—or better yet, having her set up a trust for my grandmother in the first place.”
~ Tracey A.
”“This team is the absolute best at what they do! Julie is down to earth and knowledgeable about estate law. Her right hand, Nichole, is so very pleasant and positive. I had a very difficult case, and without a doubt, they got justice. Whatever estate issues you have are honestly in the best of hands.”
~ Tonya Mihay
”“Julie is a detail-oriented and client-focused attorney. She listens to her client’s goals and helps them to prioritize their needs. I’d highly recommend her for all your needs!”
~ Tanya G.
”“Julie is incredibly knowledgeable, hard-working, and dedicated to her profession. She and her staff go to great lengths to reach out and contact those who are entitled to proceeds from estates.”
~ Robyn K.
Our Grand Rapids Michigan Estate Planning Case Process
STEP ONE:
Initial Consultation
We start with a free and confidential consultation to understand your estate planning needs and goals. If we decide to work together, our attorneys will work with you to create the proper documents to set you and your family up for success.
STEP TWO:
Drafting and Review
We’ll draft the estate planning documents, ensuring they meet legal requirements and reflect your intentions. We review and adjust them with you as needed.
STEP THREE:
Finalization and Funding
After finalizing the documents, we assist with proper execution, including notarization if required, to create your legally-binding estate plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start thinking about estate planning?
It’s never too early to start planning your estate. The sooner you start, the more time you have to consider your options and make informed decisions. However, certain life events like marriage, the birth of a child, purchasing a home, or starting a business are good triggers to review or create an estate plan.
How often should I update my estate plan?
You should review your estate plan every few years or whenever there is a major life change (e.g., marriage, divorce, birth, death). This ensures that your plan continues to reflect your wishes and the current laws.
How much does estate planning cost?
The cost of estate planning varies depending on the complexity of your estate and the types of documents you need. Call our team today to discuss your specific situation, and we’ll figure out what your cost might be together.
Can I create my own estate plan?
While it’s possible to create your own estate plan using DIY kits or online templates, it’s not recommended. Estate planning laws can be complex, and mistakes can be costly. Our experienced estate planning legal team can tailor a plan to your specific needs and ensure it’s legally sound.
How can an estate planning attorney help me?
An estate planning attorney can help you set up the necessary documents to facilitate the transfer and management of your assets after your death – or in case of an emergency. Unfortunately, Attorney Julie A. Paquette knows all too well the complications that arise in these instances. When Julie was in law school, she received a call in the middle of the night that a family member had died in a car accident, and that her aunt was in critical condition.
Her family was tossed into chaos. Who would make decisions for her aunt? What would she want if she could fully communicate? Would she want to sue the person who caused the accident? Who should find the right attorney to represent her?
Having a document that answers those questions can ease the friction for an already-grieving family.
We also encourage young families to look into the estate planning process. Even though you may not be particularly concerned about health issues at this point in your life, it’s vital to get a plan in order to keep your family protected – no matter what the future may hold.
Get Started on Your Grand Rapids Michigan Estate Planning Case Today
Your legacy is important. Don’t leave it to chance. Let the Law Office of Julie A. Paquette help you create an estate plan that protects your assets, provides for your loved ones, and gives you peace of mind.
Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step towards securing your future.
