Estate Planning, Elder Law and Medicaid Planning Lawyers

Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids Locations to Guide Your Estate Planning Objectives

Estate planning is not something to put off until your golden years. People of all ages can benefit from having an appropriate plan in place for their assets, whether that plan consists of a simple will or more complex tools for reducing tax burdens or protecting a family business.

At Willis Law, we provide skilled representation to individuals, couples and families throughout Western Michigan, assisting them with all aspects of estate planning. Our lawyers and staff provide attentive service and focus on tailoring a plan to the unique circumstances and goals of each individual client.

Everyone Should Have an Estate Plan Organized With Assistance From a Legal Professional

Whether you are a single person looking to create a will, a young couple with children or you are approaching retirement, we can help you create an estate plan that protects your interests, including a will, trusts specific to your goals and other considerations unique to your situation.

Our firm handles an assortment of both simple and the most complex estate planning matters and simple estate planning matters you need to be sure to get right:

Pensions and Retirement Benefits

One of the factors that need to be taken into consideration for your estate plan is how your pension benefits will be handled upon your death.

A pension is a regular payment made to you for past services rendered, often after retirement or disability, when you are no longer earning a regular income from employment. Pensions are often provided to company employees, government employees and members of labor unions. They are usually paid out on a deferred basis, which can provide tax advantages to both employers and retirees.

Some Pension Plans Also Pay Benefits to Your Survivors

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) requires that retirement plans have a survivor benefit, which allows the spouse of a participant to receive vested benefits if the participant dies before retirement.

If you die after retirement and you are married, your spouse is also entitled to a portion of your pension. However, this usually reduces the monthly retirement payments you would have received if the benefits were to be paid just during your lifetime.

Your spouse can agree to waive this survivor benefit protection. You may also be able to name another person as your beneficiary, such as a child.

Other Important Reasons for Estate Planning

Other retirement benefits that require careful estate planning are:

  • 401(k) accounts
  • 403(b) accounts
  • Profit sharing, or incentive plans in which a share of a company's profits are typically accumulated in a tax-deferred account until an employee retires or leaves the company
  • IRA (individual retirement account)
  • ESOP (employee stock ownership plan)
  • PERS (public employees' retirement system pension)

Property Transfers and Estate Administration

Transferring real property requires skilled help to ensure the asset is protected and to ensure the property is correctly passed according to your wishes. Our attorneys can help you accomplish this by drafting quitclaim deeds (for those who wish to retain no financial or legal interest in the property) or a warranty deed (to warrant the property against liens and other ownership claims).

We also realize the difficulty many people have administering the estate of a deceased loved one. The process itself can be quite complex, which is why we offer services to simplify the process and settle the estate for as little cost as possible. This includes notifying heirs and beneficiaries, locating and valuing property in the estate, paying final debts, paying final taxes and anything else that is required to finalize a person's affairs.

Elder Law Services

Elder planning is designed to protect the rights and interests of the elderly population. Our attorneys provide comprehensive elder law services to ensure men and women are set up for success during their twilight years. This includes:

  • Establishing advance health care directives and health care proxies (medical powers of attorney)
  • Drafting durable powers of attorney documents for financial purposes
  • Setting up a living will to dictate the medical treatment you consent to receive should you become unable to voice your wishes
  • Medicaid and nursing home planning
  • Much more

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Helping You Achieve the Best Possible Outcome

  • Roots from a Judge

    Sons of former judges, our firm’s co-founders are deeply rooted in our community and have been exposed to the law from a young age.

  • Service to Others

    We demonstrate compassion and consideration for others, putting your needs or desires ahead of our own to treat you the way you appreciate being treated.

  • Integrity, Honesty, & Accountability

    Willis Law adheres to a code of moral and ethical standards, is truthful in all things, and takes responsibility for our actions.

  • Empathy & Kindness

    We are considerate to exemplify good work ethics. Our lawyers strive to actively participate and engage in your feelings or ideas.

  • Excellence

    Our results and behavior represent the standard to which others should strive. We conduct ourselves to the highest standards in everything we do.

  • Dependability

    We are dependable, adhere to scheduled work hours, are considerate of needs in planning time off, consistently follow policies and procedures, and exemplify good work ethics.

  • Professionalism

    We demonstrate a professional attitude, appearance, and approach, seek personal and professional improvement, and initiate opportunities to improve contributions to the firm.

  • Commitment, Dedication, & Loyalty

    We demonstrate an allegiance and faithfulness with a determination toward a common goal of attaining excellence in service. We actively promote the firm and its values.

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