The probate court has jurisdiction over matters concerning Estates, Guardianships and Conservatorships. So if a family member or loved one has passed away or is incapacitated, the probate court (as opposed to other civil courts) has exclusive authority to decide matters concerning such situations. Note that if a person has a Revocable Living Trust that is properly funded, it should avoid probate.

The goals of the probate process are to provide a final accounting of the decedent’s assets, ensure that his or her valid debts are paid, and provide for an orderly distribution of the Estate. Through the probate process, property held in the decedent’s individual name is ultimately transferred to the heirs. If there is a Will, the probate court will follow the provisions of the Will in transferring the assets. If there is no Will, Michigan law will apply to determine to whom the Estate goes and who will manage the financial affairs.

For Guardianship and Conservatorship proceedings, the goal is to appoint a suitable person to care for the incapacitated person and his or her financial assets. A guardian must see to the proper care of the person, and the conservator must preserve and protect his or her assets.

The probate court has its own procedural rules to deal with the issues that arise in these areas. The probate court follows statutory laws enacted to govern Estates, Guardianships and Conservatorships. These statutory laws, known as the Estates and Protected Individuals Code (or "EPIC"), are the backbone of the probate practice. As probate experts, we are intimately familiar with EPIC, and we have extensive technical and practical experience applying its rule of law to our clients’ circumstances.

In addition to having a depth of knowledge about EPIC, we also have extensive knowledge regarding fiduciary standards and accounting – that is, the rules and laws that govern the conduct of personal representatives, guardians and conservators. We understand how real estate and business laws interconnect with the probate laws. Finally, we are familiar with the intricacies of the federal and state tax laws.