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Every adult Michigan resident should have at least 3 essential estate planning documents as part of a complete estate plan: a will, power of attorney, and health care directive.
A will is an essential tool to provide for post-death distribution of property. Our wills are custom-drafted to meet your needs, and may contain all of the following elements at no additional charge:
Trust for the support of minor children
Trust for the care of pets
Funeral instructions
Personal property memorandum (to distribute items of a personal nature)
Designation of cash gifts or specific property to one or more beneficiaries
Designation of primary and alternate beneficiaries
Designation of primary and alternate executors, trustees, and guardians
Disinheritance of one or more persons
Instructions to fund a trust for the support of minor children
A power of attorney ("POA") is essential for the protection of an incapacitated person. A POA allows a designated agent to manage property on behalf of an incapacitated person. POA's are very flexible and can be drafted to meet a wide variety of needs. The is no such thing as a POA "form". A POA must be signed before a person becomes incapacitated. Otherwise, a probate court order is required to manage property for an incapacitated person.
A health care directive and living will are separate documents, even though they are frequently confused. A health care directive is used to designate 1 or more persons to make medical decisions on behalf of incapacitated individual, including the withdrawal of life support. A health care directive must meet certain statutory criteria to be effective in Michigan. In addition, it must be signed before a person becomes incapacitated. Otherwise, a probate court order is required to make medical decisions for an incapacitated person.
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