We Thought We’d Lose the Cottage—Then We Found a Better Way
Real stories, real solutions. How one Michigan family planned ahead and kept their legacy intact.

Founder / Attorney
Michael L. RutkowskiDecember 19, 2024
Beneficiary designations are a cornerstone of any estate plan, immediately transferring your assets to your intended recipients. However, simple mistakes like outdated designations or incomplete paperwork can disrupt your entire plan, leading to unintended consequences for your loved ones.
Here we'll explore common errors in beneficiary designations, why keeping them updated is crucial, and how to ensure your designations align with your broader estate planning goals.
Beneficiary designations bypass probate, allowing assets like life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and payable-on-death accounts to transfer directly to your named recipients. However, errors in designations can cause:
At Rutkowski Law Firm, we specialize in estate planning that leaves no detail overlooked. We’ll review your beneficiary designations, align them with your estate plan, and help you avoid common pitfalls that could jeopardize your legacy.
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.
Real stories, real solutions. How one Michigan family planned ahead and kept their legacy intact.
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