When a personal representative finishes a decedent’s estate and either obtains either a certificate of completion or a court order from the probate judge, it is natural to assume that the entire matter is done forever. However, circumstances may arise where it...
Wills, Trusts And Estates
Larry King’s Estate: Can A Secret Handwritten Will That Excludes His Wife Be Valid?
Larry King was a famous television and radio show host that was well known for his interviews of the world’s prominent politicians, celebrities and social movers. However, his death on January 23, 2021 revealed that his messy personal life has complicated his...
Can You Have An Oral Trust In Michigan?
Did you know that a person can create a valid trust without putting it on paper? It seems unlikely in a modern world driven by formality and paper documents that such a thing is possible, but Michigan does recognize oral trusts as valid. However, the...
What Does It Mean If The Probate Court “Administratively Closes” An Estate In Michigan?
A personal representative is expected to complete his or her duties regarding the decedent’s estate within a reasonable period of time. In fact, if the personal representative does not complete estate administration within one year of his or her appointment,...
Who Can Contest A Revocable Living Trust In Michigan?
It is true that a living revocable trust does not need to pass through the probate administration process for distribution of the settlor or grantor’s assets. However, it does NOT mean that the trust is immune to court involvement. A settlor, grantor,...
Should You Register Your Trust In Michigan?
A trust in Michigan may be registered with the local probate court in the county where it is primarily located. There is no requirement under the law that a trust is registered in Michigan (except for charitable trusts which MUST be registered with the...
How Do You Remove A Trustee From A Trust In Michigan?
A grantor or settlor will select a trustee that he or she is confident will carry out the terms of the trust and treat the beneficiaries fairly. However, it might turn out that the trustee is too incompetent to carry out his or her duties, mishandles trust...
Aretha Franklin’s Estate: Why Is It A Contentious Battle In Michigan’s Probate Court?
Aretha Franklin, the “Queen of Soul” died on August 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan, leaving an estate behind to be managed. She purportedly died without a last will and testament, meaning that her four sons would inherit the estate under Michigan’s intestate...
What Happens If You Receive A Recovery Rebate (“Federal Stimulus”) Payment Under The CARES Act of 2020 For A Deceased Person?
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared that the COVID-19 outbreak was officially a pandemic as rates of infection rose significantly in the U.S. and across the world. On March 13, 2020, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in...
What Is A Crummey Trust?
Wealthy individuals who have built a considerable legacy often hope that they can transfer as much of that nest egg as possible to the next generation without losing much of that value in federal taxes. In 2020, the estate tax exemption is $11.58 million per...
