Estate PlanningWills, trusts, and directives tailored to Michigan law.
Start Estate PlanningAsset Protection in Michigan
— Serving Rochester & Bloomfield Hills
Protect Today, Preserve Tomorrow
Asset protection isn’t about hiding assets — it’s about organizing your home, savings, and investments so they’re harder to reach by creditors, predators, and avoidable costs like probate.
At Rutkowski Law Firm, we craft Michigan-specific plans for families across Rochester and Bloomfield Hills—meeting you in person or virtually to protect what matters most.
Trusted by Over 450 Clients with a 4.9 Star Rating
They made the virtual process very easy for my family and I! My husband and I talked with another firm that was cheaper, but upon further investigation, they did not offer services for asset protection or Medicaid planning. So Rutkowski was the easy choice for us! Virtual planning worked great for us as my husband works virtually and I travel for work weekly.
Very informative on estate planning and asset protection.
What’s Covered on This Page
Plain-English Guidance
What Asset Protection Really Is (and Isn’t)
Asset protection is proactive, legal structuring that helps keep what you’ve earned with the people you love. It prioritizes (1) probate avoidance, (2) liability separation, and (3) long-term care planning. It’s not secrecy or last-minute transfers; it’s thoughtful planning that works when life happens.
- Proactive, Not Reactive :
- Best results come from planning before a problem appears—so structures are in place when needed.
- Lawful & Transparent :
- We use Michigan-recognized tools and clear documentation your family, banks, and hospitals will accept.
- Focused on Outcomes :
- Avoid probate, separate liabilities, and plan for long-term care—all while keeping day-to-day life simple.
Local Insight
Michigan Basics: Probate, Medicaid, & Deeds
Michigan’s rules around probate, real-property transfers, and Medicaid are unique. We translate the fine print into practical steps for families in Rochester and Bloomfield Hills so your plan works when it’s needed most.
- Probate Avoidance :
- Trusts, Lady Bird Deeds, and beneficiary designations can pass assets outside Michigan probate to reduce delay, cost, and stress.
- No State Estate Tax :
- Michigan has no state estate tax, but high-net-worth families may still need federal planning and creditor protection.
- Lady Bird Deeds :
- Michigan’s enhanced life estate deed can keep your home out of probate while you keep control during life.
- Medicaid Rules :
- Eligibility and estate recovery are technical. Proper timing, exemptions, and trust design matter for protection.
Right Tools, Right Order
Core Tools Michigan Families Use
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The best plans layer tools to protect your home, savings, and family from different risks while keeping everyday life simple.
- Revocable Living Trust :
- Foundation for many plans—avoid probate, keep control, streamline incapacity planning.
- Irrevocable Trust (select types) :
- When designed properly and in advance, can add creditor and Medicaid-related protections.
- Powers of Attorney :
- Name trusted agents for finances and healthcare to keep your plan workable during incapacity.
- Lady Bird Deed (Home) :
- Transfer your home outside probate, preserve control, and simplify later eligibility analysis.
- Beneficiary Designations :
- Use TOD/POD and retirement/insurance beneficiaries to bypass probate—coordinated with your trust.
- LLCs & Titling :
- Segment risk by holding rentals or business interests in entities; align titling with your trust.
Trust Choices
Revocable vs. Irrevocable Trusts in Michigan
Both trusts can help avoid probate; only certain irrevocable trusts can add creditor or Medicaid-related protections when designed correctly and in time. We’ll help you choose what fits your goals.
Probate Avoidance
Revocable Living Trust: Yes—if assets are funded to the trust.
Irrevocable Trust (various types): Yes—if assets are funded to the trust.
Control During Life
Revocable Living Trust: You keep full control; amend or revoke anytime.
Irrevocable Trust (various types): Generally no unilateral changes; designed for specific protections.
Creditor/Medicaid Protection
Revocable Living Trust: Typically none while you’re alive.
Irrevocable Trust (various types): Potential protection when properly structured and timed.
Complexity & Maintenance
Revocable Living Trust: Low–moderate; great for simplicity and privacy.
Irrevocable Trust (various types): Higher; must be drafted to your goals and managed carefully.
Best For
Revocable Living Trust: Probate avoidance, privacy, incapacity planning.
Irrevocable Trust (various types): Adding protections, planning for long-term care, legacy goals.
Plan Ahead, Preserve More
Medicaid & Long-Term Care Considerations
Long-term care is expensive. With proper timing and strategy, Michigan families can protect a spouse at home and preserve family assets while qualifying an ill spouse for care.
- Crisis vs. Pre-Planning :
- Five-year look-back applies in many cases; earlier planning creates more options, but crisis strategies exist.
- Spousal Protections :
- Rules can preserve income and assets for the healthy spouse at home while a spouse receives care.
- Home Considerations :
- Lady Bird Deeds and properly structured trusts can influence eligibility and estate recovery outcomes.
Moments That Matter
When Should Michigan Families Start Asset Protection Planning?
Sooner is better, but it’s never too late to improve your position. We help families planning ahead—and those in the middle of a crisis.
- Buying or Refinancing a Home :
- Coordinate deeds and titling now to avoid probate and future headaches.
- Opening/Acquiring a Business or Rental :
- Use LLCs and trust alignment to segment liability and simplify succession.
- Health Changes or Caregiving :
- Update POAs and evaluate Medicaid-aware options before care costs escalate.
- Retirement Readiness :
- Dial in beneficiary coordination and trust design for income, taxes, and legacy.
Explore Your Options
Build a Plan That Fits Your Life
Go deeper with connected strategies: comprehensive Estate Planning, Lady Bird Deeds, Revocable Trusts, Irrevocable Trusts, and Medicaid Planning.
Estate Planning
Lady Bird DeedKeep your Michigan home out of probate while keeping control.
Explore Lady Bird Deeds
Medicaid PlanningProtect a spouse at home and plan for long-term care.
Plan for CareCommon Questions About Asset Protection in Michigan
Are Your Powers of Attorney and Health Documents Ready for the Road?
Before your next trip, whether it's across state lines or across the ocean, make sure your legal documents are up to date.
Founder / Attorney
Planning for Properties Beyond Michigan
Vacation homes, rentals, or timeshares can complicate your estate. Here’s how to make sure they don’t.
Founder / Attorney
Staying Involved: How to Maintain Oversight in an Irrevocable Trust
Irrevocable doesn’t mean hands-off learn how to retain control and flexibility while protecting your assets.
Founder / Attorney
From the Video Library
Learn the ins and outs of estate planning from the estate planning attorney, Michael Rutkowski.
Estate Planning
How to Include Cryptocurrency in Your Estate Plan
Cryptocurrency can't be titled in a trust, but it can still be part of your estate plan. Attorney Michael Rutkowski explains how to pass on digital assets like Bitcoin using key-based access and trustee instructions.
Michael Rutkowski
Attorney at Rutkowski Law Firm
Estate Planning
How A Trust Works
Unlike a will, a trust helps you avoid probate, ensures seamless asset distribution, and provides financial protection for your loved ones. In this video, estate planning attorney Michael Rutkowski breaks down the mechanics of a trust, from setting it up to funding it properly.
Michael Rutkowski
Attorney at Rutkowski Law Firm
Estate Planning
When to Start Estate Planning
Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy or the elderly—it’s essential for everyone. But when is the right time to start? In this video, estate planning attorney Michael Rutkowski discusses key life scenarios where estate planning becomes crucial.
Michael Rutkowski
Attorney at Rutkowski Law Firm
Request a Consultation
With offices in Rochester and Bloomfield Hills, we’re proud to serve families throughout Michigan. Prefer virtual? We offer video consultations for estate planning, so you can plan from the comfort of home.
Please fill in the form and one of our customer service representatives will be in touch first thing on the next business day.
If you'd rather book a discovery call so you know exactly when to expect a call from our customer success agents, you're welcome to click the link below and find a time that works best for you.
“Their whole team was amazing to work with! The attorneys were very knowledgeable and made it easy to understand. We chose virtual planning process option because it was so much more convenient with my work schedule but they offered to meet in person too of we didn't do zoom. Highly Recommended!”
Whitney Ollila