Need an Estate Planning Attorney in Clarkston?
Our estate planning attorneys in Clarkston, Michigan have over 40 years of experience in creating estate plans. We have successfully assisted hundreds of Clarkston clients with estate plans. Contact our Michigan Estate Planning lawyer if you’re looking to update your estate plan, will or trust. If you have questions about estate planning or an existing will or trust, contact our Clarkston law office. Unlike some law firms, we pride ourselves on personalized service and estate planning solutions. And we’ll make sure you fully understand your options. Call us today at 248-650-0055 to find out how our Clarkston lawyers can help you.At Sumner & Associates, P.C., our estate and wills attorneys handle a wide variety of issues, including:
- Comprehensive estate planning,
- Drafting wills and trust documents,
- Estate and trust administration,
- Guardianships and conservatorships,
- Powers of Attorney,
- Probate proceedings, and
- Special needs planning (if you or a loved one have serious disabilities).
With over 98 5-star reviews on Avvo, please contact us and you’ll experience our “Excellence in Service” first hand!
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Based on 72 reviews
Jason Kim
January 2, 2023.
Wife and I went to get our will and trust made. The staff was very polite. Scott was very thorough and informative with everything. Made the process smooth and easy!
Dave Ankersen
December 21, 2022.
Very knowledgeable, friendly and expedient. A job well done.
Beth McGrath
December 6, 2022.
Great experience from beginning to end. Scott was thorough and professional and the follow up with Sarah and Rori was prompt and clear. The complexity of estate planning was made understandable. Thank you to the team.
jade nguyen
November 16, 2022.
The company I work for have a list of lawyers that they referred employees to. After researching and reading reviews we decided to go with Scott from Sumner and Associate. After working with Scott, I now understand why he has so many good reviews. Scott was knowledgeable and was so great at explaining all the law nuances that are very hard to understand for the general public. He guided my husband and I throughout the whole estate planning process and gave us the peace of mind that we needed. I cannot recommend him enough to my friends and family.
Jeanne Burns
August 28, 2022.
Outstanding!
Rick Buckley
June 23, 2022.
Mr. Sumner and staff are professional, proficient, and courteous. Our legal matters were handled without issue and we were provided the necessary guidance from initial contact thru to completion.
Jim Morrocco
June 23, 2022.
I recently used Sumner and Associates to create a living trust.
The process was very organized and logical. The accompanying the trust documents in explaining (or reminding) me how to put my assets into the trust. It is very comforting now that I have completed my tasks that I have taken care of this for my children. Thanks again Scott for a pleasant and rewarding experience.
Tom Weng
June 22, 2022.
This office provides a comprehensive "system" for Estate Planning (the service we use). Not just prepare us with basic knowledge about the topic before we meet personally but also allow us to think through key components/element requrred prior to the meet, Scott really looking into what our need are (not just provide us a can package) and guided us to reach our goal with minimum effort on our side. We walk out thier office not just feel confidently we have a good plan in hands but also additional things/tips worth to consider (provided by Scott) beyond Estate Planning. Thank you, Scott and Sarah!!! Great service you provided to us!!!
Renee Ramirez
June 7, 2022.
I had a great experience at Sumner Law, everyone was friendly, professional, on-time, and made the process very smooth for me. Highly recommended!!
Frequently Asked Questions for Estate Planning Attorney Clarkston
What documents are in a basic estate plan and why?
A basic estate plan should consist of:- Last Will & Testament
- Durable Financial Power of Attorney
- Patient Advocate Designation
Last Will & Testament
A Last Will & Testament is the written wishes of a person’s intent with regard to selection of fiduciaries and instructions to the probate court of the writer’s selection of people who are going to follow up and assist with the probate process (fiduciaries), who will watch over minor children(Guardian & Conservator) and who the person wants as beneficiaries. The first paragraph of the Last Will and Testament identifies the individual making the Will, known as the Testator. The next paragraph of the Will indicates that the person’s debt, funeral expenses, and taxes should all be paid from the proceeds of testator’s estate before the beneficiaries are paid. The Last Will and Testament is the only place to identify a Guardian for any minor children of the testator. The guardian is the person who would raise the children should the parents pass prematurely. If both parents pass or become incapacitated they can identify the person/guardian, her minor children in her Last Will & Testament. The Last Will and Testament is also the only place to identify a Conservator for any minor children. The conservator is the person who would manage the children’s money and finances, should the parents pass prematurely. If both parents pass or become incapacitated the Testator can identify the person, she wishes to become conservator. Next, the Last Will & Testament is where individual name a funeral representative. This is a recent fiduciary role named in the will. This person is named as the funeral representative and has the legal authority to sign for and make final decisions regarding the decease remains and burial arrangements. This appointment helps avoid family disputes, particularly in blended family situations.Durable Financial Power of Attorney
A Durable Financial Power of Attorney helps manage your assets and debt should you be unavailable or incapacitated. In this doc you appoint another to make your personal financial decisions and consent to business arrangements. Effective either immediately or upon your incapacity. This document helps you and your family avoid the living probate process of have to set up a conservatorship through the local county probate court, to get legal authority and permission to access your funds or give consent your behalf.Patient Advocate Designation
Known as PAD, helps manage your medical, healthcare and end of life decisions, should you become incapacitated. This is a doc where you appoint another to make your personal medical decisions and arrangements. This document is effective upon your incapacity. This tool will help you and your family avoid the living probate process or needing to set up a guardianship through the local county probate court, to get legal authority and permission to access your funds or give consent you’re your behalf.How do I avoid Probate when I die?
There are several ways to avoid probate including:- Die with no assets in your name
- You can set up all your assets to pass directly to beneficiaries on accounts, such as bank accounts, retirement accounts and such.
- You can use a revocable living trust.
How much does a Living Trust cost in Clarkston, Michigan?
The range of cost based upon the depth and quality of the legal service provider and the extent of additional time taken to educate the client, fund trust and coordinating beneficiaries. Ranges from $1,500 for an individual to $2,700 for husband and wife and beyond for multiple trusts or specialty trust such as a Lady Bird Trust.Who should establish a Living Trust?
- If you own real estate, you should have a living trust.
- If your net worth is greater than $250,000, you should have a living trust.
- If you have children, you should have a living trust; and
- If you have minor children (under the age of 18) you need to have a living trust.