Estate Planning & Probate Law

Estate Planning, Probate, and Elder Law

At STURTZ & STURTZ, P.C., we assist individuals and families throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region and Mid-Michigan with estate planning, probate administration, trust matters, and elder law concerns. Planning for the future and managing the affairs of a loved one often involve important personal, financial, and family considerations. Our firm provides thoughtful, practical, and personalized legal guidance tailored to each client’s unique circumstances and long-term objectives.

Whether you are preparing an estate plan, administering an estate, addressing disputes involving trusts or estates, or assisting an aging family member, we are committed to helping clients navigate these matters with clarity and confidence.

Estate Planning

A carefully prepared estate plan can help protect your assets, provide for your loved ones, minimize future disputes, and ensure that your wishes are carried out. Our firm works closely with clients to develop estate plans tailored to their individual needs, family dynamics, and financial circumstances.

Our estate planning services include:

  • Wills
  • Revocable trusts
  • Irrevocable trusts
  • Durable powers of attorney
  • Patient advocate designations and healthcare directives
  • Lady Bird deeds
  • Trust funding and asset coordination
  • Business succession considerations
  • Estate and trust amendments

We understand that no two families are alike. Our goal is to provide practical estate planning solutions designed to preserve assets, simplify administration, and provide long-term peace of mind.

Probate Administration

The loss of a loved one is often emotionally difficult, and the probate process can create additional uncertainty and stress for families and personal representatives. Our firm assists executors, personal representatives, trustees, beneficiaries, and family members throughout the probate and estate administration process.

We provide guidance regarding:

  • Probate filings and court procedures
  • Administration of estates
  • Identification and transfer of assets
  • Creditor issues
  • Distribution of estate property
  • Fiduciary responsibilities
  • Trust administration matters

Our firm strives to handle probate matters efficiently and carefully while helping clients understand their responsibilities and options throughout the process.

Probate and Trust Litigation

Disputes involving estates, trusts, and fiduciaries can create significant emotional and financial strain for families. Our firm represents clients in contested probate and trust matters involving:

  • Will contests
  • Trust disputes
  • Fiduciary and personal representative disputes
  • Claims involving undue influence or lack of capacity
  • Beneficiary disputes
  • Asset and inheritance disputes
  • Guardianship and conservatorship litigation

Whenever possible, we seek practical and efficient resolutions. However, we remain prepared to aggressively protect our clients’ interests through litigation when necessary.

Elder Law and Long-Term Planning

As individuals age, legal and financial planning often becomes increasingly important. Our firm assists seniors and families with legal issues relating to long-term care planning, incapacity planning, and protection of assets and decision-making authority.

Our elder law services may include:

  • Long-term care planning
  • Guardianships and conservatorships
  • Incapacity planning
  • Durable powers of attorney
  • Healthcare directives
  • Asset protection considerations
  • Planning for nursing home or assisted living care

We understand that these matters often involve sensitive personal and family concerns, and we strive to provide compassionate and practical guidance throughout the process.

Real Estate and Business Considerations in Estate Planning

Estate and probate matters frequently involve real estate holdings, family businesses, investment property, and other complex assets. Because our firm also handles business, real estate, and family law matters, we are able to provide comprehensive guidance when estate planning and probate issues overlap multiple areas of law.

Our firm regularly assists clients with:

  • Transfer of real estate through trusts and estates
  • Family-owned business succession planning
  • Closely held business interests
  • Property ownership and title considerations
  • Coordination between estate planning and business objectives

Why Clients Choose STURTZ & STURTZ, P.C.

Estate planning and probate matters require careful attention to both legal and personal considerations. Our firm is committed to providing responsive, detail-oriented, and practical representation tailored to each client’s individual needs and family circumstances.

Whether you are preparing an estate plan, administering an estate, addressing a probate dispute, or assisting an aging loved one, STURTZ & STURTZ, P.C. is committed to helping clients throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region and Mid-Michigan protect what matters most.