Novi, MI Estate Planning Attorneys

A thoughtful estate plan protects the people you love at the moment they need it most. Our Novi estate planning attorneys help you put clear, legally sound documents in place so your family never has to guess what you wanted.

Key Takeaways:

• Without a will or trust, Michigan's intestacy laws decide who inherits your property, and the result may not match your wishes.
• Assets held in a properly funded revocable living trust generally pass to your beneficiaries without going through probate court.
• A durable power of attorney and a patient advocate designation allow someone you trust to manage your finances and medical decisions if you become unable to.

Think of an estate plan as a set of instructions left on the kitchen counter for the people you love. Without those instructions, your family must piece together your wishes during one of the hardest seasons of their lives, often with a probate court overseeing every step. With them, the path forward is clear.

Michigan sets specific requirements for how a will must be signed and witnessed under MCL 700.2502, and a single misstep can leave a document open to challenge.

Steslicki & Ghannam, PLC is an all-female boutique firm whose attorneys bring more than 56 years of combined experience to wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and guardianship planning. We explain each document in plain language, respond within 24 hours, and give you around-the-clock access to your files through our secure client portal.

Book a free consultation with our Novi estate planning attorneys today.

The Documents That Protect Your Assets, Health, and Children

Wills. A will names who receives your property and who will serve as the personal representative responsible for settling your estate. Parents of minor children can also use a will to nominate a guardian. Keep in mind that assets passing through a will usually still go through probate. Our article on whether a will or a trust is better compares the two.

Revocable living trusts. With a revocable living trust, you move assets into a trust you control during your lifetime and name a successor trustee to manage them later. The trust only works if it is funded, which means retitling your home, accounts, and other property into the trust's name. Our team handles that step with you so nothing slips through the cracks.

Durable power of attorney. This document authorizes a trusted person to handle your finances, pay bills, and manage property if you cannot. Michigan updated its power of attorney laws in 2024, so your document should meet current signing requirements to be honored by banks and other institutions. Visit our powers of attorney page to learn more.

Patient advocate designation. Michigan's version of a healthcare power of attorney names someone to make medical decisions on your behalf when you cannot speak for yourself. You can also include your wishes about end-of-life care, which spares loved ones from guessing during a crisis.

Choosing Between a Will-Based Plan and a Trust-Based Plan

A will-based plan. For many people with straightforward finances, a will paired with powers of attorney provides strong, affordable protection. This approach names guardians for children and directs where your property goes, though the estate will still pass through probate.

A trust-based plan. If you have a young family, own a home, have significant savings, or value privacy, a revocable living trust can keep your assets out of probate and allow a smoother transition for your beneficiaries. Trusts also let you control how and when children or grandchildren receive an inheritance.

Planning for business owners. If you own a business, your plan should address who will run or inherit it and how ownership transfers. Thoughtful succession planning can protect both the company's value and your family's income.

Planning for blended families and loved ones with disabilities. Second marriages, stepchildren, and family members who receive government benefits all call for careful drafting. A special needs trust, for example, can provide for a loved one without jeopardizing eligibility for public assistance.

Our Novi estate planning attorneys will review your goals, family structure, and assets, then help you choose the approach that fits you best.

What Sets Our Novi Estate Planning Attorneys Apart

1. We take time to educate you about every document, so you understand exactly how your plan works before you sign anything.
2. Every call and email receives a response within 24 hours.
3. Your signed documents are stored in our secure client portal, where you can reach them whenever you or your family need them.
4. You choose your level of involvement, whether you want to review every clause or approve a clear final summary.
5. As a boutique firm, we build each plan around your family rather than relying on one-size-fits-all forms.

Give Your Family the Gift of a Clear Plan

Planning ahead is one of the most caring things you can do for the people you love. At Steslicki & Ghannam, PLC, our Novi estate planning attorneys will help you protect your home, savings, and children with documents that reflect your values. Book a free consultation today to get started.