Serving Oakland County Families In-Person or via Secure Video
Estate Planning & Medicaid Planning Attorney in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Protecting your family, your home, and everything you've worked for — with a plan that actually works in Michigan.
Trusted by Over 450 Clients with a 4.9 Star Rating
The Rutkowski law firm is amazing. I got notified that I had to deploy and recently had a daughter. They listened to my wife and I’s situation and did everything to take care of us. 1 month after talking with them I had my trust signed and ready to go right before I had to leave. They are amazing and Im glad I was able to work with them! Highly recommend anyone that’s interested to talk with them!
My family was in what I had thought was a crisis. We scheduled an appointment and learned we were not! Angela, Chris, Gail and Lea have so much knowledge and compassion. I’m certain they have saved us and our home. Don’t hesitate to put your trust and family in their hands.
- $2B+
- Assets Protected
- 13+
- Years in Michigan
- 5★
- Google Reviews
- 1,000+
- Families Helped
"I had a trust, but my financial advisor told me it wasn't updated for the newest tax laws. My kids would have lost 40% of their inheritance."
The Strategy
Sophisticated Protection for High-Value Estates.
A simple will leaves your family with probate, tax exposure, and no protection from nursing home costs. Long-term care in Michigan now runs $12,216/mo — and it can drain a lifetime of savings in months.
We specialize in plans that protect your home, your retirement accounts, and your legacy — coordinating with your CPAs and wealth managers to make sure everything works together.
Our process is designed for your schedule. We offer virtual consultations, dedicated parking at our Woodward Ave office, and a Done-For-You funding service that guarantees your plan is active — not just on paper.
- Retirement Tax Rate
- Up to 40%
- Federal Exemption (2026)
- $15.0M
- Penalty Divisor (2026)
- $12,216
- Assets Protected
- $2B+
Premium Asset Protection
Legal Segmentation for Your Life's Work
We don't just draft documents. We organize your savings, properties, and business interests into protected entities. This 'Done-For-You' approach ensures your shield is active and your legacy is probate-proof.
- Tax-Efficient Trusts :
- Shield your IRAs and 401(k)s from immediate 40% taxation when passed to heirs.
- Portability & Exemption Strategy :
- Leverage the 2026 $15.0M exemption to ensure spouses maintain maximum tax protection.
- Done-For-You Funding :
- We handle the retitling of your Bloomfield Hills home and brokerage accounts into your trust.
Our Location
Bloomfield Hills
Risk Analysis
Proactive Shield vs. Leaving Wealth Exposed
Compare the long-term impact of a fortified Asset Shield™ against a traditional 'document-only' approach.
Tax Protection
The Rutkowski Shield: Strategic mitigation of the 40% Retirement Tax Trap
Traditional Will/Trust: Heirs may face massive immediate tax bills on IRAs
Privacy
The Rutkowski Shield: Fully private — details stay within the family
Traditional Will/Trust: Public — filings open to anyone in Oakland County
Asset Funding
The Rutkowski Shield: Done-For-You — our team moves the assets for you
Traditional Will/Trust: DIY — you are responsible for moving assets yourself
Timeframe
The Rutkowski Shield: Weeks — smooth private distribution
Traditional Will/Trust: 6-14 Months — standard probate delay
The Rutkowski Process: Designed for Bloomfield Hills
We bridge the gap between high-level legal strategy and empathetic family care. In person or virtually.
Initial Discovery Consultation
- Meet with our team virtually or at our Woodward Ave office in Bloomfield Hills.
- Discuss your high-value assets and family goals in detail.
- Determine which Asset Shield™ plan best meets your specific tax and protection needs.
Design & Architecture Meeting
- Work with a Bloomfield Hills attorney to design a tax-efficient estate structure.
- Identify and mitigate tax liabilities in your IRAs and ensure proper legal segmentation.
- Review documentation to ensure your plan is fortified against Michigan probate.
Professional Partnership Review
- Collaborate with your existing wealth managers and CPAs to align your legal and financial plans.
- Ensure estate tax portability is locked in for surviving spouses.
- Finalize the strategic funding plan to shield your accounts.
The Signing Ceremony
- Finalize your documents in our Bloomfield Hills office or via our secure virtual signing process.
- Review every detail to ensure it matches your family’s vision.
- Execute your plan with a Michigan notary to make your protection legally binding.
Done-For-You Trust Funding
- We perform the heavy lifting. Our team funds your trust for you.
- We coordinate the retitling of your home and financial accounts with your institutions.
- Verify that your assets are officially inside the shield and out of harm’s way.
Annual Legacy Review
- We review your strategy every year to account for life changes and new legislation.
- Stay updated on changes to Federal Tax exemptions and Michigan Medicaid laws.
- Ensure all new assets are properly titled to keep your legacy out of Oakland County Probate Court.
Estate Planning Guide
Estate Planning is an essential process that will protect your assets and ensure you’re your estate is distributed according to your wishes after your death.
Many people make mistakes when creating their estate plan, which can lead to unnecessary stress, confusion, and costly legal battles for their loved ones. Below, our estate planning team put together the top 10 and most common mistakes we see in estate planning.
Bloomfield Hills Planning FAQ: 2026 Edition
Guiding the Firm, Protecting Families
Whether you need a will, trust, asset protection plan or are in need of medicaid crisis planning, our team is here to help! We are dedicated to providing you with the best legal representation possible. Call us today to book your consultation.
Meet the Whole Team
Estate Planning for Michigan Families
Don't leave your family with a useless binder.
Most firms hand you a template and expect you to do the work. We provide a Done-For-You process that handles Trust Funding and Asset Protection.
We specialize in protecting your home from the 5-Year Medicaid Look-Back, ensuring your house stays in your family and out of the state's hands. Plan now so you never become a burden to those you love.
For a Call Back: Pick a time for a quick, 15-minute phone call with our intake team. They will gather your basic details and schedule your strategy session with our Customer Success Director. No tech degree or legal preparation required.
Our Offices
How to outsmart Medicaid estate recovery in Michigan
Why waiting for a nursing home crisis leaves your home exposed—and the proactive tools that shield your legacy.
Founder / Attorney
Protecting your home from Medicaid estate recovery
Why some assets are exposed to state reimbursement claims after death—and how Michigan families can shield them.
Founder / Attorney
Who Should Be Your Contingent Beneficiary? Common Mistakes Michigan Families Make
The critical mistakes families make with contingent beneficiaries—and how to protect your heirs from probate court.
Founder / Attorney