Estate Planning for Flint Families Who Have People Worth Protecting
Your estate plan isn't about how much you own — it's about who gets protected when you're no longer here to speak for yourself.
You Don't Need a Large Estate to Need a Plan
If you own a home, have a pension from GM or Delphi, carry a retirement account, or have children who depend on you, you have something worth protecting. Without a properly structured estate plan, Michigan law decides what happens to it — and what Michigan law decides may not be what you would have chosen.
At CF Legal, we've spent more than 30 years helping Genesee County families build estate plans that reflect their actual wishes: who inherits, who makes decisions if you're incapacitated, and how to keep your family out of probate court. We're not a solo practitioner working from a template. We're a multi-attorney firm that drafts, reviews, and litigates estate matters — which means we know exactly what makes a plan hold up when it's tested.
Our Probate and Estate Legal Services
A sound estate plan is more than a single document. Depending on your family situation, your assets, and your goals, it may include several coordinated pieces working together.
If debt has reached a point where repayment isn't realistic, Chapter 7 can provide a way to discharge qualifying debts and reset your financial situation. You get guidance through each step so filings are handled correctly and efficiently.
Wills
A will is the foundation of most estate plans. It names your beneficiaries, designates a personal representative to manage your estate, and — critically — names a guardian for minor children. Without one, those decisions go to a probate judge.
Revocable Trusts
A revocable living trust lets your assets pass directly to your beneficiaries without going through probate court. It also gives you control over timing and conditions — useful when beneficiaries are young or when you want to avoid a public court process.
Irrevocable Trusts
Irrevocable trusts offer stronger asset protection and can play an important role in Medicaid planning. Once assets are transferred in, they're generally shielded from creditors and from Medicaid spend-down calculations.
Special Needs Trusts
If you're planning for a child or family member with a disability, a special needs trust allows you to leave assets without disqualifying them from government benefits like Medicaid or SSI.
Elder Law & Medicaid Planning
For families navigating long-term care costs, Medicaid planning can preserve assets that would otherwise be spent down on nursing home care. This is time-sensitive planning — the earlier it begins, the more options are available.
Guardianship & Conservatorship
When a family member can no longer manage their own affairs, guardianship or conservatorship gives a designated person the legal authority to act on their behalf. We guide families through the court process and help them understand their ongoing responsibilities.
Will vs. Trust: Which One Does Your Family Need?
This is the question we hear most often in our Grand Blanc workshops, and the honest answer is: it depends on your situation. Here's how the two compare.
A will takes effect at death, goes through probate court, and becomes a public record. It's the right starting point for many families and is essential if you have minor children who need a named guardian. A trust, by contrast, takes effect immediately upon signing, transfers assets outside of probate, and keeps your affairs private. Trusts also allow you to plan for incapacity — not just death.
For many Genesee County families, the right answer is both: a trust to handle the bulk of your assets, paired with a "pour-over will" that catches anything not already titled in the trust.
The table below reflects Michigan law as of 2026.
| Will | Revocable Trust | |
|---|---|---|
| Avoids probate | Bill | Fernandez |
| Takes effect | At death | Immediately |
| Names guardian for minor children | Yes | No (will required) |
| Addresses incapacity | No | Yes |
| Public record | Yes | No |
| Can be updated | Yes | Yes |
| Michigan-specific requirement | Two witnesses required | Notarization required |
Not Sure Where to Start? Come to a Free Workshop First.
CF Legal hosts free monthly estate planning workshops at the Grand Blanc Elks Club. These sessions walk you through the basics of Michigan estate planning — wills, trusts, Medicaid, and what happens if you die without a plan — before you ever pay a legal fee or sit down with an attorney.
There's no sales pitch and no obligation. It's an opportunity to get your questions answered in a room with experienced attorneys who practice in Genesee County every day. No other local firm offers this.
Your Old Estate Plan May Be Doing More Harm Than Good
If you had an estate plan drafted years ago — or under a previous attorney or firm name — it may no longer reflect your wishes or comply with current Michigan law. Wrong beneficiary designations, outdated forms, and plans that predate major life changes can create exactly the kind of family conflict you were trying to prevent.
CF Legal reviews and updates existing estate plans, including those created by prior firms. If you've gone through a marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a significant change in assets, or the death of a named beneficiary or trustee, your plan needs a second look.
Local Court Familiarity
Legal outcomes can depend on local processes; working with someone familiar with Will County courts helps avoid unnecessary delays.
Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Probate
Do I need an estate planning attorney in Michigan, or can I use an online service?
Michigan law has specific requirements for valid wills and trusts — including witness and notarization rules — and errors in a self-drafted document may not surface until your family is already in probate court. An attorney can also identify planning opportunities, like Medicaid strategies or asset protection structures, that an online form won't raise. For most families, the cost of proper planning is far less than the cost of fixing a flawed document after the fact.
Does Michigan have an estate tax?
No. Michigan does not impose a state-level estate tax. Your estate may still be subject to federal estate tax if its value exceeds the federal exemption threshold, but the vast majority of Michigan families will not owe any estate tax at either level.
What is Michigan's small estate threshold?
In 2026, Michigan's small estate threshold is approximately $27,000. Estates valued below this amount may qualify for a simplified probate process. Estates above this threshold — including those that include a home — will generally go through full probate unless assets are held in trust or pass by beneficiary designation.
Does a Michigan will require witnesses?
Yes. A valid Michigan will must be signed in the presence of two witnesses who are not beneficiaries under the will. A will that doesn't meet this requirement can be challenged or disqualified in probate court.
What happens if I die without a will in Michigan?
Michigan's intestacy laws determine who inherits — and the result may not match your wishes. A surviving spouse, children, or other relatives may receive shares of your estate in proportions set by statute, regardless of your actual intentions. Minor children will have assets managed by a court-appointed conservator rather than someone you chose.
How often should I update my estate plan?
A general rule is to review your plan every three to five years, and immediately after any major life event: marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, a significant change in assets, or the death of a named beneficiary, executor, or trustee. An outdated plan can direct assets to the wrong people or leave critical roles unfilled.
Ready to Put a Plan in Place?
Most families wait too long. The good news is that getting started is straightforward — a single consultation is enough to understand your options and know what your plan should include. Call us at (810) 232-1112 or use the link below to schedule a time that works for you.