At the Law Office of Julie A. Paquette, we provide comprehensive estate planning services for Waterford, MI families, offering tailored solutions to meet your unique needs and goals. Our experienced team is here to help you protect your family and your legacy – no matter what life throws your way.
Estate Planning Attorney in Waterford, MI
At the Law Office of Julie A. Paquette, we provide comprehensive estate planning services for Waterford, MI families, offering tailored solutions to meet your unique needs and goals. Our experienced team is here to help you protect your family and your legacy – no matter what life throws your way.
What Our Waterford, MI Clients Are Saying
Don’t just take our word for it—see what our Waterford, MI clients are saying!
”“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.
Estate Planning in Waterford, MI
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.
Reliable Estate Planning Services in Waterford
Helping clients in Waterford, MI, and beyond, the Law Office of Julie A. Paquette specializes in estate planning strategies that ensure your assets and loved ones are protected for generations to come.
Protect Your Legacy—Contact Our Waterford Estate Planning Attorneys Today!
Plan today for the uncertainties of tomorrow. The Law Office of Julie A. Paquette provides customized estate planning solutions to families throughout in Waterford, MI, ensuring they have a solid plan for whatever life brings.
Why Us? Our Promise to Waterford, MI Clients
Comprehensive Planning for Peace of Mind:
Tailored estate plans ensure your assets are protected, your wishes honored, and your loved ones provided for—without the hassle of probate.
Dual Knowledge in Estate Planning and Probate:
Our experience in both areas allows us to create seamless plans and navigate even the most complex probate cases effectively.
Transparent, Client-Centered Approach:
From initial consultation to document writing, we prioritize your goals, ensuring clarity, confidence, and legal compliance every step of the way.
Experienced Guidance for Every Family:
Whether you’re a young family securing your future or dealing with a loved one’s estate, our compassionate team is here to support you through it all.
Free Consultations with Proven Results:
Recognized as a top MI estate planning law firm, we offer no-obligation consultations to help you take the first step toward protecting your family’s legacy.
Get Started on Your Waterford Estate Plan Today
Your legacy matters, and it’s too important to leave to chance. At Law Office of Julie A. Paquette, we provide solid, straightforward estate planning to help you protect your assets, provide for your loved ones, and ensure peace of mind. Whether you’re planning ahead or navigating a probate case, our team is here to guide you every step of the way, offering clarity and support when you need it most.
Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward securing your family’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of an estate plan in MI?
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.
What is the difference between will and estate planning?
A will is a specific legal document that outlines how you want your assets distributed after your death. Estate planning, however, is a broader process that includes creating a will, trusts, powers of attorney, and other documents to manage your assets and healthcare decisions during your lifetime and after death.
Is probate the same as estate planning?
No, probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate, ensuring debts are paid and assets are distributed according to their will or state law. Estate planning, on the other hand, is the process of organizing your affairs and creating legal documents to manage your assets during life and after death.
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.
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 Waterford MI 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.
