PROBATE

Probate can be a place (“the probate court”) or a process (“probating an estate”). In Michigan, probate courts have jurisdiction over many areas, and the most common include: administration of a dead (decedent) person’s estate; some trust questions; appointing a guardian or conservator; protective proceedings; mental health hearings; hearings about the care of a person with developmental delays; challenges to accountings by many fiduciaries; and approval of some lawsuit settlements.

If you need help obtaining a guardianship for a person who no longer seems able to make or communicate informed decisions about their own life; if you know of an adult dangerously wasting their assets and income so that some sort of protective steps like appointment of a conservator or a protective order is required; or if you were subject to such proceedings and think there was a rush to judgment and you want to fight a guardianship or conservatorship, or change guardians or conservators, you will be in the probate court at some point. And we can help.

If you are helping wrap up a dead person’s affairs, or were named as administrator, or executor of their estate, and need to serve as the personal representative of the estate, you will be using the probate courts who will use probate court rules and the Michigan Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC) as guidance. If there is a challenge to the validity of a will, or a provision of a trust, or if instructions are needed, the probate court will be involved.

Other issues are handled by these courts too including mental health hearings, hearings about people with developmental delays, accounting challenges, and even some lawsuit settlements.

The law offices of Bradley A. Vauter & Associates, P.C. can help you with most probate matters. We are allowed to practice in any probate court in the state, and do, but we work most often in Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, and Clinton counties.

Need Probate Help?

Handle it today by calling (517) 853-8015 or visit the Contact Us Page