Protect What Matters With the Right Estate Plan
Every estate plan carries a personal story. Grand Rapids, MI residents turn to Lola Law as a wills and trusts attorney for thoughtful, thorough planning. We build estate plans that are as unique as the families we serve, and families across West Michigan trust our wills and trusts lawyers to turn their wishes into a clear, legally sound plan.
Do You Need a Will, a Trust, or Both?
There is no single estate plan that works for every family. Some people need a straightforward will. Others may benefit from a trust or a combination of estate planning documents. The right choice depends on factors such as your assets, family structure, financial goals, and how you want property handled.
Searching for a will and trust lawyer near me? Start with a conversation about your circumstances rather than choosing documents based on a generic checklist.
Your Plan May Need to Address
- Real estate
- Bank and investment accounts
- Business interests
- Personal property
- Life insurance
- Retirement accounts
- Minor children
- Beneficiaries with special circumstances
- Future incapacity
- Distribution of assets after death
OUR WILLS AND TRUSTS SERVICES
We offer a full range of estate planning tools designed to protect your assets, provide clarity for your family, and make sure your wishes are honored.
Last Will and Testament
A will names who receives your property, who cares for your minor children, and who carries out your final wishes. We draft wills that are clear, enforceable, and built to hold up when it matters most.
Trust Formation and Family Trust Planning
Trusts can help your family avoid probate, maintain privacy, and control how and when assets are distributed. Our family trust planning serves clients throughout Kent County, Ottawa County, and West Michigan. We handle revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, and specialized trusts for blended families, minor children, and beneficiaries with special needs.
Trust Administration
Once a trust is in place, it needs to be managed correctly. As a trust administration attorney Michigan families and trustees turn to, we guide trustees through their legal duties, asset management, accountings, and distributions, reducing the risk of disputes or missteps along the way.
Power of Attorney
A power of attorney lawyer in Grand Rapids clients call on can help you name someone you trust to manage your finances or make medical decisions if you are ever unable to do so yourself. We draft durable and medical powers of attorney tailored to your wishes.
Elder Law and Long-Term Care Planning
Planning matters most as circumstances change. Our approach to elder law and estate planning in Ottawa County helps older adults and their families prepare for long-term care, guardianship questions, and asset protection with dignity and foresight.
Trust vs. Will: Which Is Better for Your Family?
One of the most common estate planning questions is trust vs. will: which is better to choose in Michigan? The answer depends on your circumstances.
Will
A will may be appropriate if you want:
- A more straightforward way to state your wishes
- To nominate a guardian for minor children
- To name beneficiaries for property covered by the will
Important consideration: Property that passes under a will generally goes through probate.
Trust
A trust may be appropriate if you want:
- Certain assets to pass outside probate
- Greater control over how and when beneficiaries receive property
- Continued management of certain assets during your lifetime
Important consideration: A trust requires additional planning, and assets generally need to be properly transferred to the trust for the trust structure to apply.
Estate Planning That Can Help Reduce Uncertainty
A complete estate plan can give your family clearer direction when they need it most. Lola Law can help you consider:
Who receives your assets?
Your documents can establish how your property should be distributed.
Who manages your affairs?
Powers of attorney can address who may act for you if you cannot.
How should assets be handled?
Trust planning may provide specific instructions for managing or distributing certain property.
What happens when circumstances change?
Your estate plan can be reviewed and updated as your family, finances, or wishes change.
Planning for Aging and Incapacity
For families considering Grand Rapids elder law and estate planning, planning may include:
- Financial powers of attorney
- Asset management
- Beneficiary planning
- Trusts
- Wills
- Probate considerations
- Incapacity planning
How Long Does Probate Take in Michigan?
How long does probate take in Michigan depends on the estate, the type of proceeding, the assets involved, and whether disputes or other complications arise.
Michigan court guidelines set case management targets, but those targets do not mean every estate will follow the same timeline.
Probate may take longer when there are:
- Disputes between beneficiaries
- Complicated assets
- Real estate issues
- Creditor claims
- Questions about the validity of a will
- Difficulty locating beneficiaries
- Tax or financial issues
- Court disputes
Why Work With Lola Law?
If you are comparing the best wills and trusts lawyer in Grand Rapids, Lola Law brings a practical approach to estate planning with attention to:
- Personalized planning: Your documents are based on your circumstances and goals.
- Clear communication: You get straightforward explanations before making decisions.
- Careful preparation: Documents are prepared with attention to the details that matter.
- Long-term perspective: Planning can account for family changes and future needs.
- Personal attention: Your concerns receive direct consideration throughout the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a wills and trusts attorney do?
A wills and trusts attorney in Grand Rapids, MI helps individuals and families prepare and review estate planning documents, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and related documents.
Do I need both a will and a trust?
Not necessarily. Some people may need a will, while others may benefit from a trust or a combination of documents. Your assets, family circumstances, and goals help determine what makes sense.
Can I create an estate plan if I do not have many assets?
Yes. Estate planning is not only for people with significant wealth. A basic plan can still help you address important decisions about your family, property, incapacity, and beneficiaries.
Is a trust better than a will?
There is no single answer. A trust may provide greater control over certain assets and can help those assets avoid probate when properly established and funded. A will may be simpler and can address matters such as guardianship preferences for minor children.
Can I afford estate planning?
Estate planning costs vary based on the documents and legal work involved. If cost is a concern, an affordable estate planning attorney in Grand Rapids can help you understand what planning your situation actually requires.
When should I update my estate plan?
Consider reviewing your plan after marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, the death of a beneficiary, major financial changes, property purchases, or other significant changes in your circumstances.
Can a trust avoid probate in Michigan?
Assets properly transferred to a trust may pass according to the trust without going through probate. Not every asset automatically becomes part of a trust, so proper planning and funding matter.
How do I choose an estate planning attorney?
Look for an attorney who understands your goals, explains your options clearly, and takes time to review your actual circumstances. You should feel comfortable asking questions before making decisions about your estate plan.