Essential Documents Adult Children Need When a Parent’s Health Declines
A sudden medical crisis can leave families scrambling. These key legal documents ensure you're ready to act when it matters most.

Founder / Attorney

Michael L. RutkowskiAugust 19, 2025
As summer draws to a close here in Michigan, I’m struck by how swiftly the seasons transition. This mirrors the ebb and flow of life; one moment, everything feels stable, and the next, a significant event can alter your priorities entirely. I’ve witnessed how families who take the time to prepare in advance can navigate these changes with assurance and resilience.
That’s precisely why our team is dedicated to supporting you: we’re here to help safeguard your family’s future, no matter what challenges may arise.
Having young children at home made convenience essential for Kayla Johnson.
She appreciated the peace of mind offered by our virtual appointments, in-home notary service, and comprehensive support throughout every phase of the estate planning process.
"Highly recommend the Rutkowski Law Firm! Everyone on the team made our experience for estate planning as smooth as possible. They answered all of our questions and made sure that our estate planning was appropriate and would meet our needs. Virtual appointments were a huge convenience and selling point for us since it meant we did not need to secure childcare for appointments. They planned and helped with everything from filling out forms in the beginning to setting up an appointment with the notary (who also came to our home!) to setting up and working through funding the accounts, changing beneficiaries, etc. We were nervous about the entire process, but the team at Rutkowski were beyond understanding and helpful." —
Kayla Johnson, Rochester, MI
Many families in Michigan often believe that probate won’t impact them, particularly if their estate appears “simple.” However, this assumption can be misleading. Without adequate planning, even modest estates can unexpectedly enter probate court, leading to delays in asset distribution, incurring substantial fees, and causing unnecessary stress for your loved ones.
The most effective way to prevent your family from facing these challenges is by establishing a comprehensive estate plan that includes a properly funded trust. This proactive approach ensures that your wishes are honored while safeguarding your family’s peace of mind.
As a business owner in Michigan, your personal and professional lives frequently intersect, and this intersection can expose your family’s assets to risk. Establishing a trust can act as a protective barrier between your business responsibilities and your wealth.
Whether you’re launching a new venture or have been running your business for many years, incorporating asset protection strategies into your estate plan is essential. This proactive measure safeguards your home, savings, and investments from potential liabilities, ensuring that your hard-earned assets remain secure.
In today’s fast-paced world, convenience is key. An increasing number of families are realizing the advantages of virtual estate planning, connecting with attorneys through secure video calls, signing documents remotely, and managing the entire process from the comfort of their homes.
Our clients love this flexible approach, as it saves them time and reduces stress. This method enables us to assist families across Michigan while providing the same level of care and attention to detail as traditional in-person planning.
We can help you separate myth from reality and build a plan that truly works.
Feel confident moving forward: our free downloadable guides, client video stories in our video library, and LinkedInupdates are here to help every step of the way.
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.

A sudden medical crisis can leave families scrambling. These key legal documents ensure you're ready to act when it matters most.

Founder / Attorney
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