[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":4131},["ShallowReactive",2],{"locations":3,"locationAll":1822,"leadership":3169,"blogLatest-estate planning":3378,"$QEJIbFX0hy":4029},[4,372,644,941,1245,1517],{"_path":5,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":9,"description":10,"seoTitle":11,"h1":11,"headline":12,"answerCapsule":13,"streetAddress":14,"city":9,"state":15,"zip":16,"phone":17,"url":18,"map":19,"directions":20,"review":21,"phoneDisplay":22,"attorney":23,"attorneyUrl":24,"meetings":25,"inPerson":7,"ratingValue":26,"reviewCount":27,"ratingAsOf":28,"gbpName":29,"gbpCid":30,"latitude":31,"longitude":32,"county":33,"probateCourt":34,"areasServed":35,"services":41,"testimonialsLocation":51,"heroImage":52,"heroImageAlt":53,"differentiators":54,"faqs":60,"subhead":73,"nearestOffice":74,"nearestOfficeName":75,"nearestOfficeAddress":76,"nearestOfficeDirections":77,"body":78,"_type":366,"_id":367,"_source":368,"_file":369,"_stem":370,"_extension":371},"/locations/ann-arbor","locations",false,"en","Ann Arbor","Ann Arbor estate planning, done for you. Trusted by 2,800+ Michigan families. Call (866) 577-7296.","Estate Planning Lawyer in Ann Arbor, MI","Probate avoidance and asset protection for Ann Arbor families","Rutkowski Law Firm works with Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County families by secure video and in person at its Troy office, 801 W. Big Beaver Road, led by founding attorney Michael L. Rutkowski. We protect homes, savings and retirement accounts from probate court, lawsuits and long-term care costs, and we do the work families usually get stuck on: moving your home and accounts into your trust, recording your deed with the county and confirming in writing that your plan is done. Rated 4.9 out of 5 from 67 Google reviews. Call (866) 577-7296.","315 E Eisenhower Pkwy, Suite 303b","MI","48108","866-577-7296","https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rutkowski+Law+Firm+Asset+Protection+%26+Estate+Planning/@42.237035,-83.724137,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xcb96ebb3a1e6ba72!8m2!3d42.2452637!4d-83.7470967?shorturl=1","https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d11815.771197002985!2d-83.724137!3d42.237035!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x883caf0ac4d8dc43%3A0xcb96ebb3a1e6ba72!2sRutkowski%20Law%20Firm%20Asset%20Protection%20%26%20Estate%20Planning!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sgg!4v1737720648098!5m2!1sen!2sgg","https://maps.app.goo.gl/FgDyxKGAMCxzsB7b6","https://www.google.com/search?q=rutkowski+law+firm+ann+arbor&rlz=1C1RXQR_enUS960US960&oq=rutkowski+law+firm+ann+arbor+&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i65j69i60j69i65j69i60l3j69i65.3146j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-#lrd=0x883caf0ac4d8dc43:0xcb96ebb3a1e6ba72,3,,,,","(866) 577-7296","Michael L. Rutkowski","/about-us/team/michael-rutkowski/","By secure video, or in person at our Troy or Rochester office","4.9",67,"October 6, 2026","Rutkowski Law Firm Estate Planning & Asset Protection","14670171992953895538",42.2452637,-83.7470967,"Washtenaw","Washtenaw County Probate Court in Ann Arbor",[9,36,37,38,39,40],"Ypsilanti","Saline","Dexter","Chelsea","Pittsfield Township",[42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50],"Estate planning","Living trusts","Wills","Powers of attorney","Lady Bird deeds","Medicaid and nursing home planning","Elder law","Probate","Guardianship and conservatorship","Ann Arbor, MI","/img/hero/ann-arbor.webp","Downtown Ann Arbor, Michigan",[55,56,57,58,59],"funding","asset-shield","crisis-speed","process","virtual",[61,64,67,70],{"q":62,"a":63},"Which court handles probate for Ann Arbor estates?","Ann Arbor is in Washtenaw County, so estates go through the Washtenaw County Probate Court in Ann Arbor. Assets in a funded living trust skip that court.",{"q":65,"a":66},"Do my retirement accounts go into the trust?","Usually not directly. IRAs, 401(k)s and 403(b)s pass by beneficiary designation, so we review and update those forms to match your plan instead of retitling the account.",{"q":68,"a":69},"Where do in-person meetings happen?","Most Ann Arbor clients meet with us by secure video. If you'd rather meet in person, we'll see you at our Troy office at 801 W. Big Beaver Road or our Rochester office at 312 East Street.",{"q":71,"a":72},"Our kids live out of state. Can they be part of the process?","Yes. They can join any meeting by video, and we make sure the powers of attorney name people who can actually act when it's needed.","Most law firms hand you a binder and a to-do list. Rutkowski Law Firm does the work families usually get stuck on: moving your home and accounts into your trust, recording your deed with the county and confirming in writing that your plan is done.","troy","Troy","801 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 600, Troy, MI 48084","https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=801+W+Big+Beaver+Rd+Suite+600,+Troy,+MI+48084",{"type":79,"children":80,"toc":356},"root",[81,90,107,162,167,173,178,183,188,194,199,218,224,229,297,302,312,318,323,328,334,339,344],{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":84,"children":86},"element","h2",{"id":85},"whats-different-about-planning-in-ann-arbor",[87],{"type":88,"value":89},"text","What's different about planning in Ann Arbor?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":92,"children":93},"p",{},[94,96,105],{"type":88,"value":95},"Many Ann Arbor families hold much of their wealth in retirement accounts and a valuable home. The median Ann Arbor home is worth about $453,000, according to the ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":98,"children":102},"a",{"href":99,"rel":100},"https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/annarborcitymichigan/PST045224",[101],"nofollow",[103],{"type":88,"value":104},"U.S. Census Bureau",{"type":88,"value":106},". Retirement accounts pass by beneficiary form, not by will or trust, so those forms have to match the plan.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":108,"children":109},{},[110,112,118,120,126,127,132,133,139,140,145,146,152,154,160],{"type":88,"value":111},"That's where plans most often go wrong: a careful trust, and an IRA or 403(b) still naming an ex-spouse or a parent who has passed. If your children live out of state, a finished plan, and powers of attorney someone can actually use from a distance, matter even more. Rutkowski Law Firm handles ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":113,"children":115},{"href":114},"/estate-planning/",[116],{"type":88,"value":117},"estate planning",{"type":88,"value":119},", ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":121,"children":123},{"href":122},"/estate-planning/trusts/revocable-trust/",[124],{"type":88,"value":125},"living trusts",{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":128,"children":130},{"href":129},"/estate-planning/lady-bird-deed/",[131],{"type":88,"value":46},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":134,"children":136},{"href":135},"/estate-planning/power-of-attorney/",[137],{"type":88,"value":138},"powers of attorney",{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":141,"children":143},{"href":142},"/medicaid-planning/",[144],{"type":88,"value":47},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":147,"children":149},{"href":148},"/asset-protection/",[150],{"type":88,"value":151},"asset protection",{"type":88,"value":153}," and ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":155,"children":157},{"href":156},"/guardianship-conservatorship/",[158],{"type":88,"value":159},"guardianship and conservatorship",{"type":88,"value":161},".",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":163,"children":164},{},[165],{"type":88,"value":166},"The Asset Shield™ is the complete plan: your trust, deeds, powers of attorney and beneficiary forms, drafted, signed and funded so they work together.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":168,"children":170},{"id":169},"what-does-done-for-you-mean-at-rutkowski-law-firm",[171],{"type":88,"value":172},"What does \"done for you\" mean at Rutkowski Law Firm?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":174,"children":175},{},[176],{"type":88,"value":177},"It means Ann Arbor families leave with a finished plan, not a to-do list. We move your home and accounts into your trust, record your deed with the county, send the beneficiary-change forms and confirm in writing that your plan is done.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":179,"children":180},{},[181],{"type":88,"value":182},"For most Ann Arbor families that means retitling the home and bank accounts into the trust, recording the deed with the Washtenaw County Register of Deeds, and reviewing every retirement-account and life-insurance beneficiary form so it matches the plan.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":184,"children":185},{},[186],{"type":88,"value":187},"Most Michigan estate planning attorneys hand Ann Arbor families a binder and leave the bank visits and county filings to them. An unfunded trust doesn't keep anything out of probate court, which is why we treat funding as part of the plan, not an extra. You won't leave with homework.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":189,"children":191},{"id":190},"what-if-the-family-is-already-in-a-crisis",[192],{"type":88,"value":193},"What if the family is already in a crisis?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":195,"children":196},{},[197],{"type":88,"value":198},"Call us. Rutkowski Law Firm has turned around emergency powers of attorney by the next day, with a notary sent to wherever the parent is, such as a hospital room at Michigan Medicine or Trinity Health Ann Arbor.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":200,"children":201},{},[202,204,208,210,216],{"type":88,"value":203},"If a parent can no longer make decisions and there's no power of attorney in place, we handle ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":205,"children":206},{"href":156},[207],{"type":88,"value":159},{"type":88,"value":209},". Our guardianship fee includes ongoing guidance and a yearly check-in, so the family isn't left on its own after the court date. If a parent already needs nursing home care, Michigan Medicaid looks back five years at gifts and transfers, so talk to us before moving any money. ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":211,"children":213},{"href":212},"/medicaid-planning/crisis-planning/",[214],{"type":88,"value":215},"Crisis planning",{"type":88,"value":217}," can often still protect part of the savings.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":219,"children":221},{"id":220},"how-does-the-process-work",[222],{"type":88,"value":223},"How does the process work?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":225,"children":226},{},[227],{"type":88,"value":228},"Every Ann Arbor plan follows the same four steps, and the Rutkowski Law Firm team stays with you through all of them: a Vision Consultation, a design meeting, the signing, and the funding. Nothing is left for you to finish on your own.",{"type":82,"tag":230,"props":231,"children":232},"ol",{},[233,261,277,287],{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":235,"children":236},"li",{},[237,243,245,251,253,259],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":239,"children":240},"strong",{},[241],{"type":88,"value":242},"Vision Consultation.",{"type":88,"value":244}," ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":246,"children":248},{"href":247},"/about-us/team/chris-pletkovic/",[249],{"type":88,"value":250},"Chris Pletkovic",{"type":88,"value":252}," or ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":254,"children":256},{"href":255},"/about-us/team/josh-heppner/",[257],{"type":88,"value":258},"Josh Heppner",{"type":88,"value":260}," from our Customer Success team asks what you're protecting and who you're protecting it for, then lays out the options that fit, with the price for each, before you decide anything.",{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":262,"children":263},{},[264,269,271,275],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":265,"children":266},{},[267],{"type":88,"value":268},"Design.",{"type":88,"value":270}," Our attorneys and paralegals, under founding attorney ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":272,"children":273},{"href":24},[274],{"type":88,"value":23},{"type":88,"value":276},", build the plan around your family, your property and your accounts.",{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":278,"children":279},{},[280,285],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":281,"children":282},{},[283],{"type":88,"value":284},"Signing.",{"type":88,"value":286}," By secure video with a notary, or in person at our Troy office.",{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":288,"children":289},{},[290,295],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":291,"children":292},{},[293],{"type":88,"value":294},"Funding.",{"type":88,"value":296}," We move your assets into the trust, record the deeds and deliver the finished documents.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":298,"children":299},{},[300],{"type":88,"value":301},"You'll have a client portal for your matter, so you can see where things stand at any point. And we keep improving the process: Michael Rutkowski builds the firm's client management system himself, and the team keeps refining each step.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":303,"children":304},{},[305,311],{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":306,"children":308},{"href":307},"/schedule/",[309],{"type":88,"value":310},"Schedule your Vision Consultation",{"type":88,"value":161},{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":313,"children":315},{"id":314},"do-i-have-to-come-to-an-office",[316],{"type":88,"value":317},"Do I have to come to an office?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":319,"children":320},{},[321],{"type":88,"value":322},"No. Most Ann Arbor families work with us entirely by secure video, including the signing. To meet face to face, we'll see you at our Troy office at 801 W. Big Beaver Road or our Rochester office at 312 East Street.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":324,"children":325},{},[326],{"type":88,"value":327},"Phones are answered 24 hours a day; the offices are open weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Video also lets adult children who live elsewhere join the same meeting, so the whole family hears the plan together.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":329,"children":331},{"id":330},"which-communities-do-you-serve-near-ann-arbor",[332],{"type":88,"value":333},"Which communities do you serve near Ann Arbor?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":335,"children":336},{},[337],{"type":88,"value":338},"We serve Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, Dexter, Chelsea and Pittsfield Township, and families anywhere in Michigan by video. Estates in this area are handled by the Washtenaw County Probate Court in Ann Arbor.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":340,"children":341},{},[342],{"type":88,"value":343},"Rutkowski Law Firm meets clients in person at its Troy and Rochester offices and works with families anywhere in Michigan by secure video.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":345,"children":346},{},[347,349,355],{"type":88,"value":348},"See ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":350,"children":352},{"href":351},"/locations/",[353],{"type":88,"value":354},"every area Rutkowski Law Firm serves",{"type":88,"value":161},{"title":357,"searchDepth":358,"depth":358,"links":359},"",2,[360,361,362,363,364,365],{"id":85,"depth":358,"text":89},{"id":169,"depth":358,"text":172},{"id":190,"depth":358,"text":193},{"id":220,"depth":358,"text":223},{"id":314,"depth":358,"text":317},{"id":330,"depth":358,"text":333},"markdown","content:locations:ann-arbor.md","content","locations/ann-arbor.md","locations/ann-arbor","md",{"_path":373,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":374,"description":375,"seoTitle":376,"h1":376,"headline":377,"answerCapsule":378,"streetAddress":379,"city":374,"state":15,"zip":380,"phone":381,"url":382,"map":383,"directions":384,"review":385,"phoneDisplay":386,"attorney":23,"attorneyUrl":24,"meetings":25,"inPerson":7,"ratingValue":26,"reviewCount":387,"ratingAsOf":28,"gbpName":29,"gbpCid":388,"latitude":389,"longitude":390,"county":391,"probateCourt":392,"areasServed":393,"services":399,"testimonialsLocation":400,"heroImage":401,"heroImageAlt":402,"differentiators":403,"faqs":404,"subhead":73,"nearestOffice":74,"nearestOfficeName":75,"nearestOfficeAddress":76,"nearestOfficeDirections":77,"body":416,"_type":366,"_id":641,"_source":368,"_file":642,"_stem":643,"_extension":371},"/locations/detroit","Detroit","Detroit estate planning, done for you. Trusted by 2,800+ Michigan families. Call (313) 631-8477.","Estate Planning Lawyer in Detroit, MI","Keep the family home in the family, not in probate court","Rutkowski Law Firm works with Detroit and Wayne County families by secure video and in person at its Troy office, 801 W. Big Beaver Road, led by founding attorney Michael L. Rutkowski. We help families keep the family home out of probate court and protect it from long-term care costs, and we do the work families usually get stuck on: moving your home and accounts into your trust, recording your deed with the county and confirming in writing that your plan is done. Rated 4.9 out of 5 from 89 Google reviews. Call (313) 631-8477.","420 Washington Blvd STE 301","48226","313-631-8477","https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rutkowski+Law+Firm+Asset+Protection+%26+Estate+Planning/@42.3279089,-83.0485417,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x2eeaba7b51d31b24!8m2!3d42.3279089!4d-83.0485417?shorturl=1","https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d11798.741509319454!2d-83.0485417!3d42.3279089!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x88179d5ca4bbb14d%3A0x2eeaba7b51d31b24!2sRutkowski%20Law%20Firm%20Asset%20Protection%20%26%20Estate%20Planning!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sgg!4v1737720254793!5m2!1sen!2sgg","https://goo.gl/maps/njvtT375bBg13nYE8","https://www.google.com/search?q=Rutkowski+Law+Firm+Asset+Protection+%26+Estate+Planning%2C+420+Washington+Blvd+STE+301%2C+Detroit%2C+MI+48226&sca_esv=78c2cdce3559d586&hl=en-PK&gl=pk&ei=v4CTZ7zbDtSXhbIPzKqU4AI&ved=0ahUKEwj8tpi6p46LAxXUS0EAHUwVBSwQ4dUDCA8&uact=5&oq=Rutkowski+Law+Firm+Asset+Protection+%26+Estate+Planning%2C+420+Washington+Blvd+STE+301%2C+Detroit%2C+MI+48226&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiZVJ1dGtvd3NraSBMYXcgRmlybSBBc3NldCBQcm90ZWN0aW9uICYgRXN0YXRlIFBsYW5uaW5nLCA0MjAgV2FzaGluZ3RvbiBCbHZkIFNURSAzMDEsIERldHJvaXQsIE1JIDQ4MjI2MgUQABiABDIGEAAYFhgeMgYQABgWGB4yBhAAGBYYHjIGEAAYFhgeMgsQABiABBiGAxiKBTILEAAYgAQYhgMYigUyCxAAGIAEGIYDGIoFMgsQABiABBiGAxiKBTILEAAYgAQYhgMYigVIywxQAFjgAXAAeAGQAQCYAXegAXeqAQMwLjG4AQPIAQD4AQH4AQKYAgGgAn6YAwCSBwMwLjGgB8kJ&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#lrd=0x88179d5ca4bbb14d:0x2eeaba7b51d31b24,3,,,,","(313) 631-8477",89,"3380719509111511844",42.3279089,-83.0485417,"Wayne","Wayne County Probate Court in Detroit",[374,394,395,396,397,398],"Dearborn","Grosse Pointe","Hamtramck","Southfield","Livonia",[42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50],"Detroit, MI","/img/hero/detroit.webp","Downtown Detroit, Michigan",[55,56,57,58,59],[405,408,411,413],{"q":406,"a":407},"Which court handles probate for Detroit estates?","Detroit is in Wayne County, so estates go through the Wayne County Probate Court in Detroit. A recorded Lady Bird deed or a funded living trust keeps the house out of it.",{"q":409,"a":410},"My parent's house is the only big asset. Do they still need a plan?","Yes. A house on its own is enough to send an estate to probate, and it's the asset most exposed to nursing home costs. A recorded Lady Bird deed is often the fastest fix.",{"q":68,"a":412},"Most Detroit clients meet with us by secure video. If you'd rather meet in person, we'll see you at our Troy office at 801 W. Big Beaver Road or our Rochester office at 312 East Street.",{"q":414,"a":415},"The house is still in a late parent's name. Can you help?","Yes. That usually takes a probate case to clear the title before the house can be sold, refinanced or protected. Call us and we'll explain the steps for your situation.",{"type":79,"children":417,"toc":633},[418,424,438,478,482,486,491,496,501,505,510,524,528,533,583,587,595,599,604,609,615,620,624],{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":419,"children":421},{"id":420},"why-do-so-many-detroit-homes-get-stuck-after-a-death",[422],{"type":88,"value":423},"Why do so many Detroit homes get stuck after a death?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":425,"children":426},{},[427,429,436],{"type":88,"value":428},"Because the house passes down without the paperwork. More than 5,500 Detroit homes have been passed down without legal documentation, according to a ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":430,"children":433},{"href":431,"rel":432},"https://wdet.org/2024/03/04/more-than-5500-family-homes-in-detroit-passed-down-without-legal-documentation-report-finds/",[101],[434],{"type":88,"value":435},"2024 Detroit Future City report",{"type":88,"value":437},". Without a recorded deed, the family often can't sell, refinance or get help with repairs.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":439,"children":440},{},[441,443,447,448,452,453,457,458,462,463,467,468,472,473,477],{"type":88,"value":442},"For many Detroit families, the home is the single biggest thing they'll pass on. A Lady Bird deed, recorded properly, lets the house go straight to the person you choose without probate court, while you keep full control for the rest of your life. It's often the most affordable way to protect it. Where there are savings to protect from nursing home costs, we build the rest of the plan around it. Rutkowski Law Firm handles ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":444,"children":445},{"href":114},[446],{"type":88,"value":117},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":449,"children":450},{"href":122},[451],{"type":88,"value":125},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":454,"children":455},{"href":129},[456],{"type":88,"value":46},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":459,"children":460},{"href":135},[461],{"type":88,"value":138},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":464,"children":465},{"href":142},[466],{"type":88,"value":47},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":469,"children":470},{"href":148},[471],{"type":88,"value":151},{"type":88,"value":153},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":474,"children":475},{"href":156},[476],{"type":88,"value":159},{"type":88,"value":161},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":479,"children":480},{},[481],{"type":88,"value":166},{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":483,"children":484},{"id":169},[485],{"type":88,"value":172},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":487,"children":488},{},[489],{"type":88,"value":490},"It means Detroit families leave with a finished plan, not a to-do list. We move your home and accounts into your trust, record your deed with the county, send the beneficiary-change forms and confirm in writing that your plan is done.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":492,"children":493},{},[494],{"type":88,"value":495},"For most Detroit families that starts with the house: we prepare the Lady Bird deed, record it with the Wayne County Register of Deeds, and confirm it was recorded. Then we prepare your powers of attorney and see them signed with the witnesses or notary Michigan requires, so someone can act for you if you can't.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":497,"children":498},{},[499],{"type":88,"value":500},"Most Michigan estate planning attorneys hand Detroit families a binder and leave the bank visits and county filings to them. An unfunded trust doesn't keep anything out of probate court, which is why we treat funding as part of the plan, not an extra. You won't leave with homework.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":502,"children":503},{"id":190},[504],{"type":88,"value":193},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":506,"children":507},{},[508],{"type":88,"value":509},"Call us. Rutkowski Law Firm has turned around emergency powers of attorney by the next day, with a notary sent to wherever the parent is, such as a hospital room at Henry Ford Hospital or the Detroit Medical Center.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":511,"children":512},{},[513,514,518,519,523],{"type":88,"value":203},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":515,"children":516},{"href":156},[517],{"type":88,"value":159},{"type":88,"value":209},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":520,"children":521},{"href":212},[522],{"type":88,"value":215},{"type":88,"value":217},{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":525,"children":526},{"id":220},[527],{"type":88,"value":223},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":529,"children":530},{},[531],{"type":88,"value":532},"Every Detroit plan follows the same four steps, and the Rutkowski Law Firm team stays with you through all of them: a Vision Consultation, a design meeting, the signing, and the funding. Nothing is left for you to finish on your own.",{"type":82,"tag":230,"props":534,"children":535},{},[536,554,567,575],{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":537,"children":538},{},[539,543,544,548,549,553],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":540,"children":541},{},[542],{"type":88,"value":242},{"type":88,"value":244},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":545,"children":546},{"href":247},[547],{"type":88,"value":250},{"type":88,"value":252},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":550,"children":551},{"href":255},[552],{"type":88,"value":258},{"type":88,"value":260},{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":555,"children":556},{},[557,561,562,566],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":558,"children":559},{},[560],{"type":88,"value":268},{"type":88,"value":270},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":563,"children":564},{"href":24},[565],{"type":88,"value":23},{"type":88,"value":276},{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":568,"children":569},{},[570,574],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":571,"children":572},{},[573],{"type":88,"value":284},{"type":88,"value":286},{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":576,"children":577},{},[578,582],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":579,"children":580},{},[581],{"type":88,"value":294},{"type":88,"value":296},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":584,"children":585},{},[586],{"type":88,"value":301},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":588,"children":589},{},[590,594],{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":591,"children":592},{"href":307},[593],{"type":88,"value":310},{"type":88,"value":161},{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":596,"children":597},{"id":314},[598],{"type":88,"value":317},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":600,"children":601},{},[602],{"type":88,"value":603},"No. Most Detroit families work with us entirely by secure video, including the signing. To meet face to face, we'll see you at our Troy office at 801 W. Big Beaver Road or our Rochester office at 312 East Street.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":605,"children":606},{},[607],{"type":88,"value":608},"Phones are answered 24 hours a day; the offices are open weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Video also makes it easier to include brothers and sisters who live out of state, so everyone hears the same plan at the same time.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":610,"children":612},{"id":611},"which-communities-do-you-serve-near-detroit",[613],{"type":88,"value":614},"Which communities do you serve near Detroit?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":616,"children":617},{},[618],{"type":88,"value":619},"We serve Detroit, Dearborn, Grosse Pointe, Hamtramck, Southfield and Livonia, and families anywhere in Michigan by video. Estates in this area are handled by the Wayne County Probate Court in Detroit.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":621,"children":622},{},[623],{"type":88,"value":343},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":625,"children":626},{},[627,628,632],{"type":88,"value":348},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":629,"children":630},{"href":351},[631],{"type":88,"value":354},{"type":88,"value":161},{"title":357,"searchDepth":358,"depth":358,"links":634},[635,636,637,638,639,640],{"id":420,"depth":358,"text":423},{"id":169,"depth":358,"text":172},{"id":190,"depth":358,"text":193},{"id":220,"depth":358,"text":223},{"id":314,"depth":358,"text":317},{"id":611,"depth":358,"text":614},"content:locations:detroit.md","locations/detroit.md","locations/detroit",{"_path":645,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":646,"description":647,"seoTitle":648,"h1":648,"headline":649,"answerCapsule":650,"streetAddress":651,"city":646,"state":15,"zip":652,"phone":653,"url":654,"map":655,"directions":656,"review":657,"phoneDisplay":658,"attorney":23,"attorneyUrl":24,"meetings":659,"inPerson":7,"ratingValue":26,"reviewCount":660,"ratingAsOf":28,"gbpName":661,"gbpCid":662,"latitude":663,"longitude":664,"county":646,"probateCourt":665,"areasServed":666,"services":672,"testimonialsLocation":673,"heroImage":674,"heroImageAlt":675,"differentiators":676,"faqs":677,"subhead":73,"nearestOffice":74,"nearestOfficeName":75,"nearestOfficeAddress":76,"nearestOfficeDirections":77,"body":693,"_type":366,"_id":938,"_source":368,"_file":939,"_stem":940,"_extension":371},"/locations/marquette","Marquette","Marquette estate planning, done for you. Trusted by 2,800+ Michigan families. Call (906) 212-9945.","Estate Planning Lawyer in Marquette, MI","Protect your home, camp and savings without the drive downstate","Rutkowski Law Firm works with Marquette and Upper Peninsula families entirely by secure video, led by founding attorney Michael L. Rutkowski. We protect homes, camps and savings from probate court, lawsuits and long-term care costs, and we do the work families usually get stuck on: moving your home and accounts into your trust, recording your deed with the county and confirming in writing that your plan is done, all without a trip downstate. Rated 4.9 out of 5 from 43 Google reviews. Call (906) 212-9945.","132 W Washington St Suite A","49855","906-212-9945","https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rutkowski+Law+Firm+Asset+Protection+%26+Estate+Planning/@46.5435342,-87.3942241,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4d4e21ae063a94d9:0xe22ce3d857cd9c05!8m2!3d46.5435342!4d-87.3942241!16s%2Fg%2F11srkksw5p?coh=164777&entry=tt&shorturl=1","https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d2744.2099143863543!2d-87.3942241!3d46.543534199999996!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x4d4e21ae063a94d9%3A0xe22ce3d857cd9c05!2sRutkowski%20Law%20Firm%20Asset%20Protection%20%26%20Estate%20Planning!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sgg!4v1737720904707!5m2!1sen!2sgg","https://goo.gl/maps/zQrfLgV9akvnYokj9","https://www.google.com/search?q=rutkowski+law+firm+marquette%2C+mi&sca_esv=07057cd0c5299605&rlz=1C1RXQR_enUS960US960&ei=5YOTZ9jjG8S6hbIP4cSXmQI&ved=0ahUKEwiY6s-6qo6LAxVEXUEAHWHiJSMQ4dUDCA8&uact=5&oq=rutkowski+law+firm+marquette%2C+mi&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiIHJ1dGtvd3NraSBsYXcgZmlybSBtYXJxdWV0dGUsIG1pMgUQIRigATIFECEYoAEyBRAhGKABSL4eUIUPWMkccAJ4AZABAJgBkAGgAewJqgEEMTAuM7gBA8gBAPgBAZgCD6ACkwrCAgoQABiwAxjWBBhHwgIGEAAYFhgewgIIEAAYgAQYogTCAgUQABjvBcICBRAhGJ8FwgIEECEYFcICBxAhGKABGAqYAwCIBgGQBgiSBwQxMS40oAenQQ&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#lrd=0x4d4e21ae063a94d9:0xe22ce3d857cd9c05,3,,,,","(906) 212-9945","By secure video",43,"Rutkowski Law Firm Asset Protection & Estate Planning","16297651669872516101",46.5435342,-87.3942241,"Marquette County Probate Court in Marquette",[646,667,668,669,670,671],"Negaunee","Ishpeming","Harvey","Gwinn","Munising",[42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50],"Marquette, MI","/img/hero/marquette.webp","Marquette, Michigan, on Lake Superior",[55,56,57,58,59],[678,681,684,687,690],{"q":679,"a":680},"Which court handles probate for Marquette estates?","Marquette is in Marquette County, so estates go through the Marquette County Probate Court. Assets held in a funded living trust skip that court.",{"q":682,"a":683},"Can we do the whole process without traveling?","Yes. Marquette clients work with us by secure video for every step, including the signing.",{"q":685,"a":686},"We own a camp or cottage. Should it go in the trust?","Usually, yes. Holding it in a funded trust keeps it out of probate and lets you decide in advance how the family shares it.",{"q":688,"a":689},"Should we use a local Marquette attorney instead?","You can, but many small-town attorneys handle all kinds of cases. Rutkowski Law Firm's practice is limited to estate planning, asset protection, Medicaid planning, elder law and guardianship, and we work with Marquette families entirely by secure video.",{"q":691,"a":692},"Our kids live downstate. Can they help manage things?","Yes. We set up powers of attorney and trustee roles that work from a distance, and family members can join any meeting by video.",{"type":79,"children":694,"toc":929},[695,701,714,755,759,763,768,773,778,782,787,801,805,810,861,865,873,879,884,889,895,900,905,911,916,920],{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":696,"children":698},{"id":697},"why-plan-now-if-you-live-in-the-up",[699],{"type":88,"value":700},"Why plan now if you live in the U.P.?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":702,"children":703},{},[704,706,712],{"type":88,"value":705},"Because families here are older on average, and distance makes a crisis harder. Nearly one in four Marquette County residents is 65 or older, according to the ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":707,"children":710},{"href":708,"rel":709},"https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/marquettecountymichigan/PST045224",[101],[711],{"type":88,"value":104},{"type":88,"value":713},". When something happens, the family is often hours away, and paperwork that isn't finished becomes the problem.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":715,"children":716},{},[717,719,723,724,728,729,733,734,738,739,743,744,748,749,753],{"type":88,"value":718},"Many Upper Peninsula families own more than one piece of property: the house, a camp, a cottage on the lake, family land. Each one needs its deed handled, or it can end up in probate. Holding them in a funded trust also lets you decide in advance how the family shares them. Rutkowski Law Firm handles ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":720,"children":721},{"href":114},[722],{"type":88,"value":117},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":725,"children":726},{"href":122},[727],{"type":88,"value":125},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":730,"children":731},{"href":129},[732],{"type":88,"value":46},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":735,"children":736},{"href":135},[737],{"type":88,"value":138},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":740,"children":741},{"href":142},[742],{"type":88,"value":47},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":745,"children":746},{"href":148},[747],{"type":88,"value":151},{"type":88,"value":153},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":750,"children":751},{"href":156},[752],{"type":88,"value":159},{"type":88,"value":754},", all by video.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":756,"children":757},{},[758],{"type":88,"value":166},{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":760,"children":761},{"id":169},[762],{"type":88,"value":172},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":764,"children":765},{},[766],{"type":88,"value":767},"It means Marquette families leave with a finished plan, not a to-do list. We move your home and accounts into your trust, record your deed with the county, send the beneficiary-change forms and confirm in writing that your plan is done.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":769,"children":770},{},[771],{"type":88,"value":772},"For most U.P. families that means recording a deed for every property, sometimes in more than one county, retitling the accounts, and signing powers of attorney so someone can act for you even if they live downstate.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":774,"children":775},{},[776],{"type":88,"value":777},"Most Michigan estate planning attorneys hand Marquette families a binder and leave the bank visits and county filings to them. An unfunded trust doesn't keep anything out of probate court, which is why we treat funding as part of the plan, not an extra. You won't leave with homework.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":779,"children":780},{"id":190},[781],{"type":88,"value":193},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":783,"children":784},{},[785],{"type":88,"value":786},"Call us. Rutkowski Law Firm has turned around emergency powers of attorney by the next day. If a parent is suddenly at UP Health System–Marquette or back home after a fall, we can arrange the signing by video with a notary where they are.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":788,"children":789},{},[790,791,795,796,800],{"type":88,"value":203},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":792,"children":793},{"href":156},[794],{"type":88,"value":159},{"type":88,"value":209},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":797,"children":798},{"href":212},[799],{"type":88,"value":215},{"type":88,"value":217},{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":802,"children":803},{"id":220},[804],{"type":88,"value":223},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":806,"children":807},{},[808],{"type":88,"value":809},"Every Marquette plan follows the same four steps, and the Rutkowski Law Firm team stays with you through all of them: a Vision Consultation, a design meeting, the signing, and the funding. Nothing is left for you to finish on your own.",{"type":82,"tag":230,"props":811,"children":812},{},[813,831,844,853],{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":814,"children":815},{},[816,820,821,825,826,830],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":817,"children":818},{},[819],{"type":88,"value":242},{"type":88,"value":244},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":822,"children":823},{"href":247},[824],{"type":88,"value":250},{"type":88,"value":252},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":827,"children":828},{"href":255},[829],{"type":88,"value":258},{"type":88,"value":260},{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":832,"children":833},{},[834,838,839,843],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":835,"children":836},{},[837],{"type":88,"value":268},{"type":88,"value":270},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":840,"children":841},{"href":24},[842],{"type":88,"value":23},{"type":88,"value":276},{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":845,"children":846},{},[847,851],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":848,"children":849},{},[850],{"type":88,"value":284},{"type":88,"value":852}," By secure video with a notary, from home.",{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":854,"children":855},{},[856,860],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":857,"children":858},{},[859],{"type":88,"value":294},{"type":88,"value":296},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":862,"children":863},{},[864],{"type":88,"value":301},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":866,"children":867},{},[868,872],{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":869,"children":870},{"href":307},[871],{"type":88,"value":310},{"type":88,"value":161},{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":874,"children":876},{"id":875},"do-i-have-to-travel-to-meet-with-you",[877],{"type":88,"value":878},"Do I have to travel to meet with you?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":880,"children":881},{},[882],{"type":88,"value":883},"No. Marquette and Upper Peninsula families work with us entirely by secure video, from the first conversation through the signing. Phones are answered 24 hours a day, and our team is available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":885,"children":886},{},[887],{"type":88,"value":888},"If you're downstate anyway, you're welcome to meet in person at our Troy office at 801 W. Big Beaver Road or our Rochester office at 312 East Street.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":890,"children":892},{"id":891},"should-i-hire-a-local-marquette-attorney-instead",[893],{"type":88,"value":894},"Should I hire a local Marquette attorney instead?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":896,"children":897},{},[898],{"type":88,"value":899},"You can, but in smaller communities the local attorney often handles many kinds of cases, from real estate closings to divorces, with estate planning as one part of the job. Rutkowski Law Firm's practice is limited to estate planning, asset protection, Medicaid planning, elder law and guardianship.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":901,"children":902},{},[903],{"type":88,"value":904},"Your plan is governed by Michigan law, which is the same in Marquette as it is in Troy, and a Michigan attorney can handle it from anywhere in the state. What matters more than the drive is whether the plan gets finished: your home and accounts moved into your trust, your deed recorded with the Marquette County Register of Deeds and your beneficiary designations updated. Rutkowski Law Firm does that part for you, by secure video, from the first conversation through the signing.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":906,"children":908},{"id":907},"which-communities-do-you-serve-near-marquette",[909],{"type":88,"value":910},"Which communities do you serve near Marquette?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":912,"children":913},{},[914],{"type":88,"value":915},"We serve Marquette, Negaunee, Ishpeming, Harvey, Gwinn and Munising, and families anywhere in Michigan by video. Estates in Marquette County are handled by the Marquette County Probate Court.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":917,"children":918},{},[919],{"type":88,"value":343},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":921,"children":922},{},[923,924,928],{"type":88,"value":348},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":925,"children":926},{"href":351},[927],{"type":88,"value":354},{"type":88,"value":161},{"title":357,"searchDepth":358,"depth":358,"links":930},[931,932,933,934,935,936,937],{"id":697,"depth":358,"text":700},{"id":169,"depth":358,"text":172},{"id":190,"depth":358,"text":193},{"id":220,"depth":358,"text":223},{"id":875,"depth":358,"text":878},{"id":891,"depth":358,"text":894},{"id":907,"depth":358,"text":910},"content:locations:marquette.md","locations/marquette.md","locations/marquette",{"_path":942,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":943,"description":944,"seoTitle":945,"h1":945,"headline":946,"answerCapsule":947,"streetAddress":948,"city":943,"state":15,"zip":949,"phone":950,"url":951,"map":952,"directions":953,"review":954,"phoneDisplay":955,"attorney":23,"attorneyUrl":24,"meetings":956,"inPerson":957,"ratingValue":958,"reviewCount":959,"ratingAsOf":28,"gbpName":29,"gbpCid":960,"latitude":961,"longitude":962,"county":963,"probateCourt":964,"areasServed":965,"services":971,"testimonialsLocation":972,"heroImage":973,"heroImageAlt":974,"cardImage":975,"differentiators":976,"faqs":977,"subhead":73,"officeServices":1002,"body":1007,"_type":366,"_id":1242,"_source":368,"_file":1243,"_stem":1244,"_extension":371},"/locations/rochester","Rochester","Rochester estate planning, done for you. Trusted by 2,800+ Michigan families. Call (248) 920-9841.","Estate Planning Lawyer in Rochester, MI","Keep your home and savings out of probate court","Rutkowski Law Firm is an estate planning and asset protection law firm at 312 East Street in downtown Rochester, Michigan, led by founding attorney Michael L. Rutkowski. We help Rochester and Rochester Hills homeowners protect what they've built from probate court, lawsuits and long-term care costs, and we do the work families usually get stuck on: moving your home and accounts into your trust, recording your deed with the county and confirming in writing that your plan is done. Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 202 Google reviews. Call (248) 920-9841.","312 East Street","48307","248-920-9841","https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rutkowski+Law+Firm+Asset+Protection+%26+Estate+Planning/@42.6762956,-83.1475895,14z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x9fcee7fcbcbc795e!8m2!3d42.6746006!4d-83.1513735?shorturl=1","https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d23466.35904315655!2d-83.1475895!3d42.6762956!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x8824e995caa5852d%3A0x9fcee7fcbcbc795e!2sRutkowski%20Law%20Firm%20Asset%20Protection%20%26%20Estate%20Planning!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sgg!4v1737720474633!5m2!1sen!2sgg","https://goo.gl/maps/LP75GYr7Co6ECN4F9","https://g.page/r/CV55vLz8586fEAI/review","(248) 920-9841","In person at our East Street office, or by secure video",true,"4.8",202,"11515396369917180254",42.6800904,-83.1318299,"Oakland","Oakland County Probate Court in Pontiac",[943,966,967,968,969,970],"Rochester Hills","Oakland Township","Auburn Hills","Lake Orion","Shelby Township",[42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50],"Rochester, MI","/img/hero/rochester.webp","Downtown Rochester, Michigan, near the Rutkowski Law Firm office on East Street","/img/locations/rochester-office.webp",[55,56,57,58,59],[978,981,984,987,990,993,996,999],{"q":979,"a":980},"Is there parking at the Rochester office?","Yes. Rutkowski Law Firm has dedicated on-site parking at the building on East Street, so you can pull right up instead of hunting for a spot downtown.",{"q":982,"a":983},"Which court handles probate for Rochester and Rochester Hills estates?","Both are in Oakland County, so estates go through the Oakland County Probate Court in Pontiac. Assets held in a funded living trust stay out of that court.",{"q":985,"a":986},"We already have a trust from another firm. Can you check whether it's funded?","Yes. Bring the documents to a Vision Consultation. Many trusts we review were signed but never funded, which means the house and accounts would still go through probate.",{"q":988,"a":989},"Do I need to live in Rochester to work with this office?","No. Families across Michigan work with the Rochester office, and every meeting, including the signing, can happen by secure video.",{"q":991,"a":992},"My parent is going into a nursing home. Who can help with Medicaid planning near Rochester?","Rutkowski Law Firm's Rochester office helps families with Medicaid and nursing home planning. Michigan Medicaid looks back five years at gifts and transfers, so call before moving any money. Even when a parent already needs care, crisis planning can often still protect part of the savings.",{"q":994,"a":995},"My mom can't manage her money anymore. Do we need a power of attorney or a guardianship?","If she can still understand and sign, a durable power of attorney is usually faster and keeps the family out of court. Rutkowski Law Firm has turned around emergency powers of attorney by the next day, with a notary sent to the hospital or home. If she can no longer make decisions and there's no power of attorney, we handle guardianship and conservatorship through the Oakland County Probate Court, with a yearly check-in included.",{"q":997,"a":998},"A parent just passed away. Does Rutkowski Law Firm handle probate near Rochester?","Yes. We help families with probate and estate administration through the Oakland County Probate Court in Pontiac, and you can meet with us in Rochester, in Troy or by secure video.",{"q":1000,"a":1001},"Does Rutkowski Law Firm charge a flat fee?","Yes. Every plan is one flat fee, quoted at your consultation before any work starts, with no hourly billing for phone calls or questions. The fee includes funding your trust and recording your deed, not just drafting the documents.",[1003],{"title":1004,"description":1005,"url":1006,"linkText":1004},"Medicaid planning in Rochester","Protecting the house from nursing home costs and Michigan estate recovery, and filing the Medicaid application, from our East Street office.","/locations/rochester/medicaid-planning/",{"type":79,"children":1008,"toc":1234},[1009,1015,1028,1068,1072,1076,1081,1086,1091,1095,1100,1114,1118,1123,1174,1178,1186,1192,1197,1202,1208,1213,1225],{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":1010,"children":1012},{"id":1011},"why-do-rochester-families-need-more-than-a-will",[1013],{"type":88,"value":1014},"Why do Rochester families need more than a will?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1016,"children":1017},{},[1018,1020,1026],{"type":88,"value":1019},"Because the house alone puts most Rochester estates over the line. The median Rochester home is worth about $473,000, according to the ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1021,"children":1024},{"href":1022,"rel":1023},"https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/rochestercitymichigan/PST045224",[101],[1025],{"type":88,"value":104},{"type":88,"value":1027},". Without a funded trust or a Lady Bird deed, that home goes through the Oakland County Probate Court in Pontiac, on the public record.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1029,"children":1030},{},[1031,1033,1037,1038,1042,1043,1047,1048,1052,1053,1057,1058,1062,1063,1067],{"type":88,"value":1032},"If you've lived in Rochester or Rochester Hills for years, you probably own the house outright, have retirement accounts and savings, and want three things: keep the house out of court, keep a nursing home from taking it, and keep the peace between the kids afterwards. Rutkowski Law Firm handles ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1034,"children":1035},{"href":114},[1036],{"type":88,"value":117},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1039,"children":1040},{"href":122},[1041],{"type":88,"value":125},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1044,"children":1045},{"href":129},[1046],{"type":88,"value":46},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1049,"children":1050},{"href":135},[1051],{"type":88,"value":138},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1054,"children":1055},{"href":142},[1056],{"type":88,"value":47},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1059,"children":1060},{"href":148},[1061],{"type":88,"value":151},{"type":88,"value":153},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1064,"children":1065},{"href":156},[1066],{"type":88,"value":159},{"type":88,"value":161},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1069,"children":1070},{},[1071],{"type":88,"value":166},{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":1073,"children":1074},{"id":169},[1075],{"type":88,"value":172},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1077,"children":1078},{},[1079],{"type":88,"value":1080},"It means Rochester families leave with a finished plan, not a to-do list. We move your home and accounts into your trust, record your deed with the county, send the beneficiary-change forms and confirm in writing that your plan is done.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1082,"children":1083},{},[1084],{"type":88,"value":1085},"For most Rochester families that means recording the deed that moves the house into the trust with the Oakland County Register of Deeds, retitling the bank and brokerage accounts, and updating the beneficiary forms on IRAs and 401(k)s so they match the plan.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1087,"children":1088},{},[1089],{"type":88,"value":1090},"Most Michigan estate planning attorneys hand Rochester families a binder and leave the bank visits and county filings to them. An unfunded trust doesn't keep anything out of probate court, which is why we treat funding as part of the plan, not an extra. You won't leave with homework.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":1092,"children":1093},{"id":190},[1094],{"type":88,"value":193},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1096,"children":1097},{},[1098],{"type":88,"value":1099},"Call us. Rutkowski Law Firm has turned around emergency powers of attorney by the next day, with a notary sent to wherever the parent is, such as a hospital room at Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital or Corewell Health in Troy or Royal Oak.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1101,"children":1102},{},[1103,1104,1108,1109,1113],{"type":88,"value":203},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1105,"children":1106},{"href":156},[1107],{"type":88,"value":159},{"type":88,"value":209},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1110,"children":1111},{"href":212},[1112],{"type":88,"value":215},{"type":88,"value":217},{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":1115,"children":1116},{"id":220},[1117],{"type":88,"value":223},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1119,"children":1120},{},[1121],{"type":88,"value":1122},"Every Rochester plan follows the same four steps, and the Rutkowski Law Firm team stays with you through all of them: a Vision Consultation, a design meeting, the signing, and the funding. Nothing is left for you to finish on your own.",{"type":82,"tag":230,"props":1124,"children":1125},{},[1126,1144,1157,1166],{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":1127,"children":1128},{},[1129,1133,1134,1138,1139,1143],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":1130,"children":1131},{},[1132],{"type":88,"value":242},{"type":88,"value":244},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1135,"children":1136},{"href":247},[1137],{"type":88,"value":250},{"type":88,"value":252},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1140,"children":1141},{"href":255},[1142],{"type":88,"value":258},{"type":88,"value":260},{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":1145,"children":1146},{},[1147,1151,1152,1156],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":1148,"children":1149},{},[1150],{"type":88,"value":268},{"type":88,"value":270},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1153,"children":1154},{"href":24},[1155],{"type":88,"value":23},{"type":88,"value":276},{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":1158,"children":1159},{},[1160,1164],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":1161,"children":1162},{},[1163],{"type":88,"value":284},{"type":88,"value":1165}," At our East Street office, at the Troy office, or through our secure virtual signing process.",{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":1167,"children":1168},{},[1169,1173],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":1170,"children":1171},{},[1172],{"type":88,"value":294},{"type":88,"value":296},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1175,"children":1176},{},[1177],{"type":88,"value":301},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1179,"children":1180},{},[1181,1185],{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1182,"children":1183},{"href":307},[1184],{"type":88,"value":310},{"type":88,"value":161},{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":1187,"children":1189},{"id":1188},"can-i-meet-in-person-at-the-rochester-office",[1190],{"type":88,"value":1191},"Can I meet in person at the Rochester office?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1193,"children":1194},{},[1195],{"type":88,"value":1196},"Yes. You can meet our team in person at 312 East Street, or do every meeting by secure video, including the signing. The office is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and our phones are answered 24 hours a day.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1198,"children":1199},{},[1200],{"type":88,"value":1201},"There's dedicated parking at the building on East Street, so you won't be feeding a meter downtown. Adult children helping a parent from out of state can join any meeting by video.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":1203,"children":1205},{"id":1204},"which-communities-do-you-serve-near-rochester",[1206],{"type":88,"value":1207},"Which communities do you serve near Rochester?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1209,"children":1210},{},[1211],{"type":88,"value":1212},"The Rochester office serves Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township, Auburn Hills, Lake Orion and Shelby Township, and families anywhere in Michigan by video. Estates in this area are handled by the Oakland County Probate Court in Pontiac.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1214,"children":1215},{},[1216,1218,1223],{"type":88,"value":1217},"Rutkowski Law Firm meets clients in person at its ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1219,"children":1221},{"href":1220},"/locations/troy/",[1222],{"type":88,"value":75},{"type":88,"value":1224}," and Rochester offices and works with families anywhere in Michigan by secure video.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1226,"children":1227},{},[1228,1229,1233],{"type":88,"value":348},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1230,"children":1231},{"href":351},[1232],{"type":88,"value":354},{"type":88,"value":161},{"title":357,"searchDepth":358,"depth":358,"links":1235},[1236,1237,1238,1239,1240,1241],{"id":1011,"depth":358,"text":1014},{"id":169,"depth":358,"text":172},{"id":190,"depth":358,"text":193},{"id":220,"depth":358,"text":223},{"id":1188,"depth":358,"text":1191},{"id":1204,"depth":358,"text":1207},"content:locations:rochester.md","locations/rochester.md","locations/rochester",{"_path":1246,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":1247,"description":1248,"seoTitle":1249,"h1":1249,"headline":1250,"answerCapsule":1251,"streetAddress":1252,"city":1247,"state":15,"zip":1253,"phone":1254,"url":1255,"map":1256,"directions":1257,"review":1258,"phoneDisplay":1254,"attorney":23,"attorneyUrl":24,"meetings":25,"inPerson":7,"ratingValue":1259,"reviewCount":1260,"ratingAsOf":28,"gbpName":1261,"gbpCid":1262,"latitude":1263,"longitude":1264,"county":1265,"probateCourt":1266,"areasServed":1267,"services":1272,"testimonialsLocation":1273,"heroImage":1274,"heroImageAlt":1275,"differentiators":1276,"faqs":1277,"subhead":73,"nearestOffice":74,"nearestOfficeName":75,"nearestOfficeAddress":76,"nearestOfficeDirections":77,"body":1289,"_type":366,"_id":1514,"_source":368,"_file":1515,"_stem":1516,"_extension":371},"/locations/sterling-heights","Sterling Heights","Sterling Heights estate planning, done for you. Trusted by 2,800+ Michigan families. Call (586) 519-6318.","Estate Planning Lawyer in Sterling Heights, MI","Protect the house, the business and the family","Rutkowski Law Firm works with Sterling Heights and Macomb County families by secure video and in person at its Troy and Rochester offices, led by founding attorney Michael L. Rutkowski. We protect what you've built from probate court, lawsuits and long-term care costs, and we do the work families usually get stuck on: moving your home and accounts into your trust, recording your deed with the county and confirming in writing that your plan is done. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 158 Google reviews. Call (586) 519-6318.","12900 Hall Rd #180","48313","(586) 519-6318","https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rutkowski+Law+Firm+Asset+Protection+%26+Estate+Planning/@42.6253986,-83.0004654,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x467fb05f67273e7a!8m2!3d42.6253986!4d-83.0004654?shorturl=1","https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d11742.784812154274!2d-83.0004654!3d42.6253986!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x8824dde4d52b9b17%3A0x467fb05f67273e7a!2sRutkowski%20Law%20Firm%20Asset%20Protection%20%26%20Estate%20Planning!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sgg!4v1737720352678!5m2!1sen!2sgg","https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=12900+Hall+Rd+%23180,+Sterling+Heights,+MI+48313","https://www.google.com/search?q=Rutkowski+Law+Firm+Asset+Protection+%26+Estate+Planning%2C+12900+Hall+Rd+%23180%2C+Sterling+Heights%2C+MI+48313&sca_esv=78c2cdce3559d586&hl=en-PK&gl=pk&ei=B4CTZ8W5BI6qhbIPhJKYmQU&ved=0ahUKEwiF2a_ipo6LAxUOVUEAHQQJJlMQ4dUDCA8&uact=5&oq=Rutkowski+Law+Firm+Asset+Protection+%26+Estate+Planning%2C+12900+Hall+Rd+%23180%2C+Sterling+Heights%2C+MI+48313&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiZVJ1dGtvd3NraSBMYXcgRmlybSBBc3NldCBQcm90ZWN0aW9uICYgRXN0YXRlIFBsYW5uaW5nLCAxMjkwMCBIYWxsIFJkICMxODAsIFN0ZXJsaW5nIEhlaWdodHMsIE1JIDQ4MzEzSABQAFgAcAB4AZABAJgBAKABAKoBALgBA8gBAPgBAvgBAZgCAKACAJgDAJIHAKAHAA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#lrd=0x8824dde4d52b9b17:0x467fb05f67273e7a,3,,,,","5.0",158,"Rutkowski Law Firm","5079972828496215674",42.6253986,-83.0004654,"Macomb","Macomb County Probate Court in Mount Clemens",[1247,970,1268,1269,1270,1271],"Macomb Township","Clinton Township","Utica","Warren",[42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50],"Sterling Heights, MI","/img/hero/sterling-heights.webp","Sterling Heights, Michigan",[55,56,57,58,59],[1278,1281,1283,1286],{"q":1279,"a":1280},"Which court handles probate for Sterling Heights estates?","Sterling Heights is in Macomb County, so estates go through the Macomb County Probate Court in Mount Clemens. Assets in a funded living trust skip that court.",{"q":68,"a":1282},"Most Sterling Heights clients meet with us by secure video. If you'd rather meet in person, we'll see you at our Troy office at 801 W. Big Beaver Road or our Rochester office at 312 East Street.",{"q":1284,"a":1285},"We own a family business. Does it belong in the estate plan?","Yes. The plan should say who runs the business and who owns it if you can't, and keep a lawsuit against the business from reaching your personal savings, or the reverse.",{"q":1287,"a":1288},"Is a Lady Bird deed enough on its own?","It protects the house from probate, but not your accounts, and it doesn't name anyone to make decisions if you can't. Most families pair it with a will, powers of attorney and, often, a trust.",{"type":79,"children":1290,"toc":1506},[1291,1297,1310,1350,1354,1358,1363,1368,1373,1377,1382,1396,1400,1405,1456,1460,1468,1472,1477,1482,1488,1493,1497],{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":1292,"children":1294},{"id":1293},"what-do-sterling-heights-families-most-need-to-protect",[1295],{"type":88,"value":1296},"What do Sterling Heights families most need to protect?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1298,"children":1299},{},[1300,1302,1308],{"type":88,"value":1301},"Usually the house and, often, a family business. About three in four Sterling Heights homes are owner-occupied and nearly one in five residents is 65 or older, according to the ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1303,"children":1306},{"href":1304,"rel":1305},"https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/sterlingheightscitymichigan/PST045224",[101],[1307],{"type":88,"value":104},{"type":88,"value":1309},". That's a lot of paid-off homes heading toward probate and nursing home bills.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1311,"children":1312},{},[1313,1315,1319,1320,1324,1325,1329,1330,1334,1335,1339,1340,1344,1345,1349],{"type":88,"value":1314},"Sterling Heights is also a diverse city: more than a third of residents speak a language other than English at home. Many families here are multigenerational, with parents, children and sometimes a family business under one plan. Keeping the business and the house apart from each other's risks, and making sure everyone understands the plan, matters as much as the documents. Rutkowski Law Firm handles ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1316,"children":1317},{"href":114},[1318],{"type":88,"value":117},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1321,"children":1322},{"href":122},[1323],{"type":88,"value":125},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1326,"children":1327},{"href":129},[1328],{"type":88,"value":46},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1331,"children":1332},{"href":135},[1333],{"type":88,"value":138},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1336,"children":1337},{"href":142},[1338],{"type":88,"value":47},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1341,"children":1342},{"href":148},[1343],{"type":88,"value":151},{"type":88,"value":153},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1346,"children":1347},{"href":156},[1348],{"type":88,"value":159},{"type":88,"value":161},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1351,"children":1352},{},[1353],{"type":88,"value":166},{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":1355,"children":1356},{"id":169},[1357],{"type":88,"value":172},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1359,"children":1360},{},[1361],{"type":88,"value":1362},"It means Sterling Heights families leave with a finished plan, not a to-do list. We move your home and accounts into your trust, record your deed with the county, send the beneficiary-change forms and confirm in writing that your plan is done.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1364,"children":1365},{},[1366],{"type":88,"value":1367},"For most Sterling Heights families that means recording a Lady Bird deed or trust deed with the Macomb County Register of Deeds, retitling the accounts, and, where there's a business, making sure the plan covers who runs it and who owns it if something happens.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1369,"children":1370},{},[1371],{"type":88,"value":1372},"Most Michigan estate planning attorneys hand Sterling Heights families a binder and leave the bank visits and county filings to them. An unfunded trust doesn't keep anything out of probate court, which is why we treat funding as part of the plan, not an extra. You won't leave with homework.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":1374,"children":1375},{"id":190},[1376],{"type":88,"value":193},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1378,"children":1379},{},[1380],{"type":88,"value":1381},"Call us. Rutkowski Law Firm has turned around emergency powers of attorney by the next day, with a notary sent to wherever the parent is, such as a hospital room at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital or Ascension Macomb-Oakland.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1383,"children":1384},{},[1385,1386,1390,1391,1395],{"type":88,"value":203},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1387,"children":1388},{"href":156},[1389],{"type":88,"value":159},{"type":88,"value":209},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1392,"children":1393},{"href":212},[1394],{"type":88,"value":215},{"type":88,"value":217},{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":1397,"children":1398},{"id":220},[1399],{"type":88,"value":223},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1401,"children":1402},{},[1403],{"type":88,"value":1404},"Every Sterling Heights plan follows the same four steps, and the Rutkowski Law Firm team stays with you through all of them: a Vision Consultation, a design meeting, the signing, and the funding. Nothing is left for you to finish on your own.",{"type":82,"tag":230,"props":1406,"children":1407},{},[1408,1426,1439,1448],{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":1409,"children":1410},{},[1411,1415,1416,1420,1421,1425],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":1412,"children":1413},{},[1414],{"type":88,"value":242},{"type":88,"value":244},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1417,"children":1418},{"href":247},[1419],{"type":88,"value":250},{"type":88,"value":252},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1422,"children":1423},{"href":255},[1424],{"type":88,"value":258},{"type":88,"value":260},{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":1427,"children":1428},{},[1429,1433,1434,1438],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":1430,"children":1431},{},[1432],{"type":88,"value":268},{"type":88,"value":270},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1435,"children":1436},{"href":24},[1437],{"type":88,"value":23},{"type":88,"value":276},{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":1440,"children":1441},{},[1442,1446],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":1443,"children":1444},{},[1445],{"type":88,"value":284},{"type":88,"value":1447}," By secure video with a notary, or in person at our Troy or Rochester office.",{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":1449,"children":1450},{},[1451,1455],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":1452,"children":1453},{},[1454],{"type":88,"value":294},{"type":88,"value":296},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1457,"children":1458},{},[1459],{"type":88,"value":301},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1461,"children":1462},{},[1463,1467],{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1464,"children":1465},{"href":307},[1466],{"type":88,"value":310},{"type":88,"value":161},{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":1469,"children":1470},{"id":314},[1471],{"type":88,"value":317},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1473,"children":1474},{},[1475],{"type":88,"value":1476},"No. Most Sterling Heights families work with us entirely by secure video, including the signing. To meet face to face, we'll see you at our Troy office at 801 W. Big Beaver Road or our Rochester office at 312 East Street.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1478,"children":1479},{},[1480],{"type":88,"value":1481},"Phones are answered 24 hours a day; the offices are open weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Video works well for multigenerational families: parents, adult children and anyone helping with the business can join the same meeting from wherever they are.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":1483,"children":1485},{"id":1484},"which-communities-do-you-serve-near-sterling-heights",[1486],{"type":88,"value":1487},"Which communities do you serve near Sterling Heights?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1489,"children":1490},{},[1491],{"type":88,"value":1492},"We serve Sterling Heights, Shelby Township, Macomb Township, Clinton Township, Utica and Warren, and families anywhere in Michigan by video. Estates in this area are handled by the Macomb County Probate Court in Mount Clemens.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1494,"children":1495},{},[1496],{"type":88,"value":343},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1498,"children":1499},{},[1500,1501,1505],{"type":88,"value":348},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1502,"children":1503},{"href":351},[1504],{"type":88,"value":354},{"type":88,"value":161},{"title":357,"searchDepth":358,"depth":358,"links":1507},[1508,1509,1510,1511,1512,1513],{"id":1293,"depth":358,"text":1296},{"id":169,"depth":358,"text":172},{"id":190,"depth":358,"text":193},{"id":220,"depth":358,"text":223},{"id":314,"depth":358,"text":317},{"id":1484,"depth":358,"text":1487},"content:locations:sterling-heights.md","locations/sterling-heights.md","locations/sterling-heights",{"_path":1518,"_dir":6,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":75,"description":1519,"seoTitle":1520,"h1":1520,"headline":1521,"answerCapsule":1522,"streetAddress":1523,"city":75,"primaryOffice":957,"state":15,"zip":1524,"phone":1525,"url":1526,"map":1527,"directions":77,"review":1526,"phoneDisplay":1528,"attorney":23,"attorneyUrl":24,"meetings":1529,"inPerson":957,"ratingValue":958,"reviewCount":1530,"ratingAsOf":28,"gbpName":29,"gbpCid":1531,"county":963,"probateCourt":964,"areasServed":1532,"services":1538,"testimonialsLocation":1539,"heroImage":1540,"heroImageAlt":1541,"cardImage":1542,"differentiators":1543,"faqs":1544,"subhead":73,"officeServices":1570,"body":1575,"_type":366,"_id":1819,"_source":368,"_file":1820,"_stem":1821,"_extension":371},"/locations/troy","Troy estate planning, done for you. Trusted by 2,800+ Michigan families. Call (248) 951-9446.","Estate Planning Lawyer in Troy, MI","Protect what you've built, and finish the plan properly","Rutkowski Law Firm is an estate planning and asset protection law firm at 801 W. Big Beaver Road, Suite 600, in Troy, Michigan, serving Troy, Bloomfield Hills and Birmingham. Led by founding attorney Michael L. Rutkowski, our attorneys, paralegals and Customer Success team help families with homes, investments and businesses protect them from probate court, lawsuits and long-term care costs, and we do the work families usually get stuck on: moving your home and accounts into your trust, recording your deed with the county and confirming in writing that your plan is done. Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 217 Google reviews. Call (248) 951-9446.","801 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 600","48084","248-951-9446","https://share.google/6caqSgs0gmAzv1vD8","https://www.google.com/maps?q=801+W+Big+Beaver+Rd+Suite+600,+Troy,+MI+48084&output=embed","(248) 951-9446","In person at our Big Beaver Road office by appointment, or by secure video",217,"9733594504382005779",[75,1533,1534,1535,1536,1537],"Bloomfield Hills","Birmingham","Royal Oak","Clawson","West Bloomfield",[42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50],"Bloomfield Hills, MI","/img/locations/troy-reception-rudy.webp","The sixth-floor reception area of Rutkowski Law Firm's Troy office in Suite 600 at 801 W. Big Beaver Road, with the Rutkowski Law Firm sign on the wall behind the front desk, gray lounge seating and a navy Rutkowski Law Firm table beside a wall of windows overlooking Troy, and Rudy, the office's chocolate Lab, lying on the polished concrete floor","/img/locations/troy-801-exterior-entrance.webp",[55,56,57,58,59],[1545,1548,1550,1553,1556,1559,1562,1565,1566,1569],{"q":1546,"a":1547},"Did the Bloomfield Hills office move?","Yes. Rutkowski Law Firm's Bloomfield Hills office on Woodward Avenue has moved to 801 W. Big Beaver Road, Suite 600, in Troy. The phone number, (248) 951-9446, stayed the same.",{"q":1549,"a":983},"Which court handles probate for Troy and Bloomfield Hills estates?",{"q":1551,"a":1552},"Can you work with our financial advisor or CPA?","Yes. We coordinate with your existing advisor and CPA so the legal plan and the financial plan line up, especially on retirement accounts and beneficiary designations.",{"q":1554,"a":1555},"Where do I park at the Troy office?","Rutkowski Law Firm has reserved spaces outside 801 W. Big Beaver Road, marked with blue and white \"Welcome, Reserved\" signs. Park in any of those, then head for the doors under the vertical Entrance sign.",{"q":1557,"a":1558},"How do I get up to Suite 600 when I arrive?","Come in through the doors under the vertical Entrance sign and call (248) 792-9193 from the ground-floor lobby. Elevator access has to be granted, and we'll get you up to the sixth floor.",{"q":1560,"a":1561},"Do we need to come into the office to sign?","No. You can sign at the Troy office, at our Rochester office, or through our secure virtual signing process.",{"q":1563,"a":1564},"My parent is going into a nursing home. Who can help with Medicaid planning near Troy?","Rutkowski Law Firm's Troy office helps families with Medicaid and nursing home planning. Michigan Medicaid looks back five years at gifts and transfers, so call before moving any money. Even when a parent already needs care, crisis planning can often still protect part of the savings.",{"q":994,"a":995},{"q":1567,"a":1568},"A parent just passed away. Does Rutkowski Law Firm handle probate near Troy?","Yes. We help families with probate and estate administration through the Oakland County Probate Court in Pontiac, and you can meet with us in Troy, in Rochester or by secure video.",{"q":1000,"a":1001},[1571],{"title":1572,"description":1573,"url":1574,"linkText":1572},"Medicaid planning in Troy","Planning for nursing home costs, protecting the spouse at home and filing the Michigan Medicaid application, from our Big Beaver Road office.","/locations/troy/medicaid-planning/",{"type":79,"children":1576,"toc":1811},[1577,1583,1596,1636,1640,1644,1649,1654,1659,1663,1668,1682,1686,1691,1696,1747,1751,1759,1765,1770,1774,1787,1793,1798,1802],{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":1578,"children":1580},{"id":1579},"why-does-a-troy-or-bloomfield-hills-plan-need-to-be-finished-properly",[1581],{"type":88,"value":1582},"Why does a Troy or Bloomfield Hills plan need to be finished properly?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1584,"children":1585},{},[1586,1588,1594],{"type":88,"value":1587},"More assets means more places for a plan to fail. Troy's median household income is about $120,000, according to the ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1589,"children":1592},{"href":1590,"rel":1591},"https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/troycitymichigan/PST045224",[101],[1593],{"type":88,"value":104},{"type":88,"value":1595},", and many families here hold a home, brokerage accounts, retirement plans, rentals or a business. Each one has to be retitled or updated, or it lands in probate.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1597,"children":1598},{},[1599,1601,1605,1606,1610,1611,1615,1616,1620,1621,1625,1626,1630,1631,1635],{"type":88,"value":1600},"Families in Troy, Bloomfield Hills and Birmingham also tend to have more exposure to lawsuits: a business, a rental, a teenage driver. Asset protection planning keeps personal savings separate from those risks. And with nearly a third of Troy residents born outside the U.S., many families have relatives, property or accounts in more than one place. We plan for that rather than around it. Rutkowski Law Firm handles ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1602,"children":1603},{"href":114},[1604],{"type":88,"value":117},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1607,"children":1608},{"href":122},[1609],{"type":88,"value":125},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1612,"children":1613},{"href":129},[1614],{"type":88,"value":46},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1617,"children":1618},{"href":135},[1619],{"type":88,"value":138},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1622,"children":1623},{"href":142},[1624],{"type":88,"value":47},{"type":88,"value":119},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1627,"children":1628},{"href":148},[1629],{"type":88,"value":151},{"type":88,"value":153},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1632,"children":1633},{"href":156},[1634],{"type":88,"value":159},{"type":88,"value":161},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1637,"children":1638},{},[1639],{"type":88,"value":166},{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":1641,"children":1642},{"id":169},[1643],{"type":88,"value":172},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1645,"children":1646},{},[1647],{"type":88,"value":1648},"It means Troy families leave with a finished plan, not a to-do list. We move your home and accounts into your trust, record your deed with the county, send the beneficiary-change forms and confirm in writing that your plan is done.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1650,"children":1651},{},[1652],{"type":88,"value":1653},"For many Troy and Bloomfield Hills families that means more than one deed, several brokerage and bank accounts, retirement plans with their own beneficiary forms, and sometimes business interests. We handle each one, record the deeds with the Oakland County Register of Deeds, and coordinate with your financial advisor or CPA so the legal plan and the financial plan line up.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1655,"children":1656},{},[1657],{"type":88,"value":1658},"Most Michigan estate planning attorneys hand Troy families a binder and leave the bank visits and county filings to them. An unfunded trust doesn't keep anything out of probate court, which is why we treat funding as part of the plan, not an extra. You won't leave with homework.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":1660,"children":1661},{"id":190},[1662],{"type":88,"value":193},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1664,"children":1665},{},[1666],{"type":88,"value":1667},"Call us. Rutkowski Law Firm has turned around emergency powers of attorney by the next day, with a notary sent to wherever the parent is, such as a hospital room at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital or Corewell Health in Royal Oak.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1669,"children":1670},{},[1671,1672,1676,1677,1681],{"type":88,"value":203},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1673,"children":1674},{"href":156},[1675],{"type":88,"value":159},{"type":88,"value":209},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1678,"children":1679},{"href":212},[1680],{"type":88,"value":215},{"type":88,"value":217},{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":1683,"children":1684},{"id":220},[1685],{"type":88,"value":223},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1687,"children":1688},{},[1689],{"type":88,"value":1690},"Every Troy plan follows the same four steps, and the Rutkowski Law Firm team stays with you through all of them: a Vision Consultation, a design meeting, the signing, and the funding. Nothing is left for you to finish on your own.",{"type":82,"tag":1692,"props":1693,"children":1695},"photo-grid",{":photos":1694},"[{\"src\":\"/img/locations/troy-vision-consultation-office.webp\",\"alt\":\"A Vision Consultation office at Rutkowski Law Firm in Troy, with a dark wood desk facing four gray mesh guest chairs, framed photos on the left wall, a corkboard of sticky notes on the right wall, and a wide window looking out over Big Beaver Road, its parking lots and the neighboring office towers\",\"caption\":\"The Troy office where Vision Consultations happen.\"}]",[],{"type":82,"tag":230,"props":1697,"children":1698},{},[1699,1717,1730,1739],{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":1700,"children":1701},{},[1702,1706,1707,1711,1712,1716],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":1703,"children":1704},{},[1705],{"type":88,"value":242},{"type":88,"value":244},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1708,"children":1709},{"href":247},[1710],{"type":88,"value":250},{"type":88,"value":252},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1713,"children":1714},{"href":255},[1715],{"type":88,"value":258},{"type":88,"value":260},{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":1718,"children":1719},{},[1720,1724,1725,1729],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":1721,"children":1722},{},[1723],{"type":88,"value":268},{"type":88,"value":270},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1726,"children":1727},{"href":24},[1728],{"type":88,"value":23},{"type":88,"value":276},{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":1731,"children":1732},{},[1733,1737],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":1734,"children":1735},{},[1736],{"type":88,"value":284},{"type":88,"value":1738}," At our Troy office, at the Rochester office, or through our secure virtual signing process.",{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":1740,"children":1741},{},[1742,1746],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":1743,"children":1744},{},[1745],{"type":88,"value":294},{"type":88,"value":296},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1748,"children":1749},{},[1750],{"type":88,"value":301},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1752,"children":1753},{},[1754,1758],{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1755,"children":1756},{"href":307},[1757],{"type":88,"value":310},{"type":88,"value":161},{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":1760,"children":1762},{"id":1761},"can-i-meet-in-person-at-the-troy-office",[1763],{"type":88,"value":1764},"Can I meet in person at the Troy office?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1766,"children":1767},{},[1768],{"type":88,"value":1769},"Yes, by appointment. You can meet at 801 W. Big Beaver Road, Suite 600, or do every meeting by secure video, including the signing. The office is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and our phones are answered 24 hours a day.",{"type":82,"tag":1692,"props":1771,"children":1773},{":photos":1772},"[{\"src\":\"/img/locations/troy-reserved-parking.webp\",\"step\":1,\"alt\":\"Three blue and white Rutkowski Law Firm \\\"Welcome, Reserved\\\" parking signs on posts along a rock-lined curb island outside 801 W. Big Beaver Road in Troy, with yellow autumn trees and the building's white side wall behind them\",\"caption\":\"Park in the spaces marked with blue and white Rutkowski Law Firm \\\"Welcome, Reserved\\\" signs.\"},{\"src\":\"/img/locations/troy-801-exterior-entrance.webp\",\"step\":2,\"alt\":\"The white, angular office building at 801 W. Big Beaver Road in Troy, with a tall vertical Entrance sign beside the glass front doors, a row of autumn trees along the walkway and two reserved parking signs at the curb in the foreground\",\"caption\":\"From the reserved spaces, head for the doors under the vertical Entrance sign.\"},{\"src\":\"/img/locations/troy-lobby-elevators.webp\",\"step\":3,\"alt\":\"The ground-floor lobby at 801 W. Big Beaver Road, with a wood-slat front desk marked 801/803 on the left, a Rutkowski Law Firm welcome sign on an easel in the center listing the elevator phone number 248-792-9193, and two stainless steel elevators on the right\",\"caption\":\"Inside, the elevators need to be called for you. Phone (248) 792-9193 when you arrive in the lobby and we'll get you up to the sixth floor.\"},{\"src\":\"/img/locations/troy-sixth-floor-elevators.webp\",\"step\":4,\"alt\":\"The sixth-floor elevator lobby at Rutkowski Law Firm's Troy office, with two stainless steel elevators along the back wall, a reception desk with a computer and phone in the foreground, gray lounge seating, and a navy Rutkowski Law Firm table beneath a wall of windows overlooking Troy\",\"caption\":\"Suite 600 is on the sixth floor. Our reception area is right off the elevators.\"},{\"src\":\"/img/locations/troy-rudy-office-dog.webp\",\"tall\":true,\"position\":\"50% 35%\",\"alt\":\"Rudy, the Troy office's chocolate Labrador and Director of Asset Relocation, sitting upright in a teal collar on the polished concrete floor of the office hallway and looking straight at the camera, with glass-walled offices behind him\",\"caption\":\"You'll probably meet Rudy, our chocolate Lab and Director of Asset Relocation. If you're allergic or uneasy around dogs, tell us when you book and we'll make sure he's relocated.\"}]",[],{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1775,"children":1776},{},[1777,1779,1785],{"type":88,"value":1778},"If you'd rather meet in Rochester, ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":1780,"children":1782},{"href":1781},"/locations/rochester/",[1783],{"type":88,"value":1784},"our East Street office",{"type":88,"value":1786}," is a short drive north. Adult children helping a parent from out of town can join any meeting by video.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":1788,"children":1790},{"id":1789},"which-communities-do-you-serve-near-troy",[1791],{"type":88,"value":1792},"Which communities do you serve near Troy?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":1794,"children":1795},{},[1796],{"type":88,"value":1797},"The Troy office serves Troy, Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Royal Oak, Clawson and West Bloomfield, and families anywhere in Michigan by video. 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Katie is a visionary in her own right, leading Headquarters Mental Wellness, a dynamic mental health collective designed to connect people with care that actually fits their lives. Together, they’ve created a home that’s faith-filled, high-energy, a little crazy, and full of love—the kind of household where the Wi-Fi is never fast enough, but the laughter is loud and constant.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3218,"children":3219},{},[3220],{"type":88,"value":3221},"Mike also serves as the Director of Fitness for Rise Up Kings, where he helps faith-driven men become stronger leaders in their businesses and in their homes. Whether he’s coaching clients, leading teams, or cheering from the sidelines of a tournament, one thing is clear: Mike lives what he teaches.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":3223,"children":3225},{"id":3224},"education",[3226],{"type":88,"value":3227},"Education",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3229,"children":3230},{},[3231],{"type":88,"value":3232},"Mike’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a major in Sales and Business Marketing from Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business. Mike earned his Juris Doctor, with a concentration in Business Transactions, through Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School’s challenging accelerated two-year program. 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She is a graduate of Western Michigan University, where she studied Business Administration. After her undergraduate studies, Anisha received an honors scholarship to attend the Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She was ranked in the top 5% of her class throughout her time in law school and served as an Editor on the school’s Law Review. Anisha graduated Magna Cum Laude and was awarded the Distinguished Student Award for her graduating class.","Anisha D. Rutkowski","Attorney","/img/team/anisha-rutkowski.webp","Head shot of Anisha Rutkowski",[3180],{"type":79,"children":3318,"toc":3338},[3319,3323,3328,3333],{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3320,"children":3321},{},[3322],{"type":88,"value":3311},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3324,"children":3325},{},[3326],{"type":88,"value":3327},"Anisha has served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Gerald E. Rosen in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and the Honorable Michael Warren in the Oakland County Circuit Court. She spent five years working for the State of Michigan, first as a prehearing attorney for the Michigan Court of Appeals and then completing two judicial clerkships with the Michigan Supreme Court.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3329,"children":3330},{},[3331],{"type":88,"value":3332},"Anisha has served as an adjunct professor at the Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where she instructed law students on advanced legal research and writing methods. She has also served as a mentor for aspiring lawyers through Cooley’s Mentor Jet program.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3334,"children":3335},{},[3336],{"type":88,"value":3337},"Anisha was born and raised in Rochester, Michigan. After moving to northern Michigan for a few years early in her legal career, she and her husband returned to Rochester to work and raise their children. Outside of practicing law, Anisha is an avid reader, enjoys horseback riding and, most of all, weekend adventures with her family.",{"title":357,"searchDepth":358,"depth":358,"links":3339},[],"content:about-us:team:anisha-rutkowski.md","about-us/team/anisha-rutkowski.md","about-us/team/anisha-rutkowski",{"_path":3344,"_dir":3172,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":3345,"description":3346,"name":3345,"role":3347,"imageUrl":3348,"leadership":957,"order":3349,"imageAlt":3350,"practiceAreas":3351,"body":3352,"_type":366,"_id":3375,"_source":368,"_file":3376,"_stem":3377,"_extension":371},"/about-us/team/gail-gonos","Gail Gonos","Gail is a dedicated paralegal with over 25 years of experience with a strong focus on estate planning, trust administration, corporate, probate and client support. She works closely with attorneys and clients to ensure that every document is prepared accurately and timely.","Paralegal","/img/team/gail-gonos.webp",4,"Head shot of Gail Gonos",[3180],{"type":79,"children":3353,"toc":3373},[3354,3358,3363,3368],{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3355,"children":3356},{},[3357],{"type":88,"value":3346},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3359,"children":3360},{},[3361],{"type":88,"value":3362},"With a detail-oriented mindset and a calm, compassionate approach, Gail helps guide clients through what can often feel like complex or emotional decisions. She plays a key role in drafting documents, managing case files, and ensuring that each plan aligns with the client’s goals and the firm’s high standards. ",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3364,"children":3365},{},[3366],{"type":88,"value":3367},"Gail is known for her reliability, professionalism, and commitment to making sure clients feel supported every step of the way. She takes pride in contributing to plans that provide clarity, protection, and peace of mind for individuals and families. ",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3369,"children":3370},{},[3371],{"type":88,"value":3372},"When Gail is not working, she enjoys walks on the beach, hiking, and kayaking, but is best known for her passion for football.",{"title":357,"searchDepth":358,"depth":358,"links":3374},[],"content:about-us:team:gail-gonos.md","about-us/team/gail-gonos.md","about-us/team/gail-gonos",[3379,3670,3808],{"_path":3380,"_dir":3381,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":3382,"description":3383,"date":3384,"imageUrl":3385,"author":23,"practiceArea":3386,"imageAlt":3387,"body":3388,"_type":366,"_id":3667,"_source":368,"_file":3668,"_stem":3669,"_extension":371},"/blog/how-can-veterans-protect-their-spouse-s-financial-future-through-estate-planning","blog","How Can Veterans Protect Their Spouse's Financial Future Through Estate Planning?","Veterans in Michigan can protect their spouse's financial future with living trusts, durable financial powers of attorney, and coordinated beneficiary designations. ","2026-10-27T15:01:56.477Z","https://media.rutkowskilawfirm.com/fdee34cd-bc78-4909-bf1e-87b78677862b-rlf-blog-how-can-veterans-protect-their-spouces.webp","estate-planning","Family",{"type":79,"children":3389,"toc":3657},[3390,3410,3415,3421,3426,3431,3437,3442,3447,3546,3552,3557,3562,3568,3573,3578,3584,3589,3594,3600,3610,3615,3621,3626,3631,3637,3642,3647,3652],{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3391,"children":3392},{},[3393,3395,3401,3403,3408],{"type":88,"value":3394},"Planning ahead can help Michigan veterans provide greater financial security for their spouses. A living trust (also known as a revocable trust), ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":3396,"children":3398},{"href":3397},"/estate-planning/power-of-attorney/durable-power-of-attorney/",[3399],{"type":88,"value":3400},"durable financial powers of attorney",{"type":88,"value":3402},", and carefully coordinated beneficiary designations can help families manage and transfer assets. A well-prepared estate plan can reduce probate complications and financial uncertainty. Long-term care eligibility requires separate attention, since a ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":3404,"children":3405},{"href":122},[3406],{"type":88,"value":3407},"revocable trust ",{"type":88,"value":3409},"alone does not protect assets from being counted.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3411,"children":3412},{},[3413],{"type":88,"value":3414},"Veterans devote much of their lives to protecting others, yet it’s easy to overlook how a sudden illness or death could affect a spouse’s everyday finances. For an adult daughter helping her aging parents, these arrangements can offer real peace of mind. Knowing there is a plan to help her mother access funds and navigate legal responsibilities can make an already difficult time less overwhelming.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":3416,"children":3418},{"id":3417},"why-should-a-veterans-estate-plan-account-for-the-surviving-spouses-needs",[3419],{"type":88,"value":3420},"Why should a veteran's estate plan account for the surviving spouse's needs?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3422,"children":3423},{},[3424],{"type":88,"value":3425},"Planning for a surviving spouse’s day-to-day expenses is an important part of a veteran’s estate plan, especially when benefits may change or end after death.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3427,"children":3428},{},[3429],{"type":88,"value":3430},"VA disability payments stop when a veteran dies. For a spouse who depends on that income to pay household bills, the mortgage, or property taxes, the loss can create an immediate financial gap. A well-prepared estate plan can help the surviving spouse access money and receive assets faster. Coordinating how bank accounts, investments, and real estate are owned and transferred can reduce financial strain during an already difficult time.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":3432,"children":3434},{"id":3433},"how-do-wills-and-trusts-help-organize-inheritance-and-protect-family-assets",[3435],{"type":88,"value":3436},"How do wills and trusts help organize inheritance and protect family assets?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3438,"children":3439},{},[3440],{"type":88,"value":3441},"Living trusts organize family inheritance by transferring asset ownership privately, without public court administration, whereas a Last Will and Testament must go through probate.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3443,"children":3444},{},[3445],{"type":88,"value":3446},"Under Michigan's Estates and Protected Individuals Code (MCL § 700.1101), assets held strictly in a veteran's individual name must pass through the local probate court (such as in Oakland, Wayne, or Washtenaw County) before a spouse can access them. A living trust lets a veteran hold assets for their spouse's benefit during life and transfer them seamlessly upon death.",{"type":82,"tag":3448,"props":3449,"children":3450},"table",{},[3451,3469],{"type":82,"tag":3452,"props":3453,"children":3454},"thead",{},[3455],{"type":82,"tag":3456,"props":3457,"children":3458},"tr",{},[3459,3463,3466],{"type":82,"tag":3460,"props":3461,"children":3462},"th",{},[],{"type":82,"tag":3460,"props":3464,"children":3465},{},[],{"type":82,"tag":3460,"props":3467,"children":3468},{},[],{"type":82,"tag":3470,"props":3471,"children":3472},"tbody",{},[3473,3492,3510,3528],{"type":82,"tag":3456,"props":3474,"children":3475},{},[3476,3482,3487],{"type":82,"tag":3477,"props":3478,"children":3479},"td",{},[3480],{"type":88,"value":3481},"Feature",{"type":82,"tag":3477,"props":3483,"children":3484},{},[3485],{"type":88,"value":3486},"Last Will and Testament",{"type":82,"tag":3477,"props":3488,"children":3489},{},[3490],{"type":88,"value":3491},"Living Trust (Revocable Trust)",{"type":82,"tag":3456,"props":3493,"children":3494},{},[3495,3500,3505],{"type":82,"tag":3477,"props":3496,"children":3497},{},[3498],{"type":88,"value":3499},"Probate Court Requirement",{"type":82,"tag":3477,"props":3501,"children":3502},{},[3503],{"type":88,"value":3504},"Required under Michigan law",{"type":82,"tag":3477,"props":3506,"children":3507},{},[3508],{"type":88,"value":3509},"Completely avoided",{"type":82,"tag":3456,"props":3511,"children":3512},{},[3513,3518,3523],{"type":82,"tag":3477,"props":3514,"children":3515},{},[3516],{"type":88,"value":3517},"Asset Access Speed",{"type":82,"tag":3477,"props":3519,"children":3520},{},[3521],{"type":88,"value":3522},"Months of court processing",{"type":82,"tag":3477,"props":3524,"children":3525},{},[3526],{"type":88,"value":3527},"Immediate trustee access",{"type":82,"tag":3456,"props":3529,"children":3530},{},[3531,3536,3541],{"type":82,"tag":3477,"props":3532,"children":3533},{},[3534],{"type":88,"value":3535},"Privacy Protection",{"type":82,"tag":3477,"props":3537,"children":3538},{},[3539],{"type":88,"value":3540},"Public court record",{"type":82,"tag":3477,"props":3542,"children":3543},{},[3544],{"type":88,"value":3545},"Fully private family document",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":3547,"children":3549},{"id":3548},"how-do-you-choose-trusted-individuals-to-manage-financial-affairs",[3550],{"type":88,"value":3551},"How do you choose trusted individuals to manage financial affairs?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3553,"children":3554},{},[3555],{"type":88,"value":3556},"A veteran chooses trusted agents by executing a durable financial power of attorney and designating a successor trustee in their living trust.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3558,"children":3559},{},[3560],{"type":88,"value":3561},"A durable financial power of attorney (under MCL § 700.5501) grants legal authority so that, if a veteran experiences cognitive decline or illness, a designated agent—typically the spouse or an adult child—can pay bills, manage real estate, and handle financial transactions. In Michigan, naming primary and backup agents can prevent the need for a public probate-court guardianship or conservatorship proceeding if incapacitation occurs.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":3563,"children":3565},{"id":3564},"why-is-coordinating-beneficiary-designations-essential-for-military-spouses",[3566],{"type":88,"value":3567},"Why is coordinating beneficiary designations essential for military spouses?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3569,"children":3570},{},[3571],{"type":88,"value":3572},"Reviewing the beneficiaries on bank accounts and life insurance policies helps these assets work with your trust and the protections you’ve put in place for your family.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3574,"children":3575},{},[3576],{"type":88,"value":3577},"Many veterans have accounts with payable-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death (TOD) designations, along with military life insurance policies. Outdated forms that still name a deceased relative or an ex-spouse can delay payments or send them to someone you no longer intend to benefit. Naming minor children directly can also create legal complications. Coordinating account ownership and beneficiary designations with your overall estate plan can help assets reach the intended recipients with fewer complications.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":3579,"children":3581},{"id":3580},"how-can-families-plan-for-potential-long-term-care-expenses",[3582],{"type":88,"value":3583},"How can families plan for potential long-term care expenses?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3585,"children":3586},{},[3587],{"type":88,"value":3588},"Families plan for long-term care expenses by using asset-protection tools that shield family savings from nursing home care costs.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3590,"children":3591},{},[3592],{"type":88,"value":3593},"With private-pay nursing home care in Metro Detroit and across Michigan running thousands of dollars per month, an unexpected care crisis can quickly deplete a surviving spouse's lifetime savings. Proactive legal planning protects the primary residence and liquid savings, ensuring the surviving spouse maintains financial security while the ill spouse receives necessary medical care.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":3595,"children":3597},{"id":3596},"how-do-medicaid-planning-and-va-benefits-work-together",[3598],{"type":88,"value":3599},"How do Medicaid planning and VA benefits work together?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3601,"children":3602},{},[3603,3608],{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":3604,"children":3605},{"href":142},[3606],{"type":88,"value":3607},"Medicaid planning",{"type":88,"value":3609}," and VA survivor benefits must be coordinated because each federal program maintains distinct income, asset, and look-back rules.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3611,"children":3612},{},[3613],{"type":88,"value":3614},"While the Department of Veterans Affairs offers programs like the VA Survivors Pension and Aid and Attendance, Michigan Medicaid (administered through MDHHS) helps cover nursing home care costs. However, Michigan Medicaid enforces a 5-year (60-month) look-back period on asset transfers. Coordinating both programs helps ensure that qualifying for one benefit doesn't accidentally trigger a penalty or disqualification for the other.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":3616,"children":3618},{"id":3617},"why-should-a-spouses-financial-circumstances-influence-estate-decisions",[3619],{"type":88,"value":3620},"Why should a spouse's financial circumstances influence estate decisions?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3622,"children":3623},{},[3624],{"type":88,"value":3625},"A thoughtful estate plan considers the surviving spouse’s age, health, income, and comfort with managing finances on their own.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3627,"children":3628},{},[3629],{"type":88,"value":3630},"If a spouse has health challenges or memory loss that make managing money difficult, leaving assets directly to them may increase the risk of financial exploitation or the need for court involvement. A protective trust can allow a trusted person, such as an adult child appointed as trustee or co-trustee, to manage those assets for the spouse’s benefit. This approach can help cover everyday needs while respecting the spouse’s dignity and independence.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":3632,"children":3634},{"id":3633},"how-does-rutkowski-law-firm-protect-military-families",[3635],{"type":88,"value":3636},"How does Rutkowski Law Firm protect military families?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3638,"children":3639},{},[3640],{"type":88,"value":3641},"Your spouse’s financial security deserves a plan that fits your family. At Rutkowski Law Firm, we bring together veterans’ benefits planning and asset protection to help Michigan couples prepare for the years ahead.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3643,"children":3644},{},[3645],{"type":88,"value":3646},"Our Asset Shield™ helps retired couples protect their home and savings from nursing home costs, safeguard personal assets from business liability, and preserve what they hope to leave to the next generation. We stay involved until the plan is complete.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3648,"children":3649},{},[3650],{"type":88,"value":3651},"We walk you through your options and handle the details that can feel overwhelming: transferring your home and appropriate accounts into your trust, recording your deed with the county, and confirming in writing that the work is finished. Depending on your needs, we may recommend Legacy Shield, our living trust–based plan to help avoid probate, or Fortress Trust, our asset protection plan designed to help protect your home and savings from nursing home costs.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3653,"children":3654},{},[3655],{"type":88,"value":3656},"Schedule a Vision Consultation with our legal team to discuss your options and take the next step toward greater financial security for your spouse.",{"title":357,"searchDepth":358,"depth":358,"links":3658},[3659,3660,3661,3662,3663,3664,3665,3666],{"id":3417,"depth":358,"text":3420},{"id":3433,"depth":358,"text":3436},{"id":3548,"depth":358,"text":3551},{"id":3564,"depth":358,"text":3567},{"id":3580,"depth":358,"text":3583},{"id":3596,"depth":358,"text":3599},{"id":3617,"depth":358,"text":3620},{"id":3633,"depth":358,"text":3636},"content:blog:how-can-veterans-protect-their-spouse-s-financial-future-through-estate-planning.md","blog/how-can-veterans-protect-their-spouse-s-financial-future-through-estate-planning.md","blog/how-can-veterans-protect-their-spouse-s-financial-future-through-estate-planning",{"_path":3671,"_dir":3381,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":3672,"description":3673,"date":3674,"imageUrl":3675,"imageAlt":3676,"author":23,"practiceArea":3386,"body":3677,"_type":366,"_id":3805,"_source":368,"_file":3806,"_stem":3807,"_extension":371},"/blog/how-estate-planning-can-help-protect-your-family-from-hidden-tax-traps","How Estate Planning Can Help Protect Your Family From Hidden Tax Traps","Avoiding direct inheritance taxes is only a first step. Here is how to shield your Michigan real estate from an unexpected property tax surge.","2026-06-23T20:20:00.000Z","https://media.rutkowskilawfirm.com/7cf622f3-5149-40b8-923d-a5422c8e4f84-rlf-blog-how-estate-planning-can-help-protect-your-family.webp","mother and son",{"type":79,"children":3678,"toc":3799},[3679,3684,3689,3694,3700,3705,3710,3715,3721,3726,3731,3742,3747,3753,3765,3770,3775,3781,3786,3791],{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3680,"children":3681},{},[3682],{"type":88,"value":3683},"When families start planning to transfer wealth to the next generation, their attention typically goes first to the big, attention-grabbing liabilities. They want to be sure that a lifetime of savings won’t be consumed by taxes.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3685,"children":3686},{},[3687],{"type":88,"value":3688},"For people living in the Great Lakes State, a quick review of Michigan’s inheritance rules often comes as a relief. Since Michigan does not levy a traditional state-level inheritance or estate tax, many well-intentioned property owners assume their heirs will receive their legacy entirely tax-free.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3690,"children":3691},{},[3692],{"type":88,"value":3693},"However, this assumption can create a misleading sense of comfort. Avoiding a direct inheritance tax is only an initial step; it is not the same as truly safeguarding what you pass on. In practice, taxes rarely vanish—they tend to reappear in more indirect ways. For Michigan families, the most serious hidden financial threats often lie within the deeds to their real estate holdings. Without a deliberate, forward-looking plan, your loved ones may end up inheriting a substantial and ongoing financial burden.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":3695,"children":3697},{"id":3696},"the-real-estate-time-bomb-property-tax-uncapping",[3698],{"type":88,"value":3699},"The Real Estate Time Bomb: Property Tax Uncapping",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3701,"children":3702},{},[3703],{"type":88,"value":3704},"To see where the real risk comes from, it helps to understand how Michigan calculates property taxes. Under the state’s long-standing Proposal A system, the taxable value of a property can increase each year by no more than the rate of inflation or 5%, whichever is lower. For longtime homeowners, this cap is extremely valuable, keeping property taxes relatively stable and predictable even as the neighborhood’s market values climb sharply over the years.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3706,"children":3707},{},[3708],{"type":88,"value":3709},"But Proposal A has a significant caveat: when a “transfer of ownership” occurs, that protection disappears overnight. In the following tax year, the property’s taxable value is reset—or “uncapped”—to align with the state equalized value (SEV), which is typically about 50% of the property’s current true market value.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3711,"children":3712},{},[3713],{"type":88,"value":3714},"This is the underlying danger of property tax uncapping in Michigan. If a family home, working farm, or treasured lakefront cottage is transferred to children or grandchildren in the wrong way, the annual property tax bill can suddenly double, triple, or more. For many heirs, this abrupt, permanent increase of thousands of dollars a year turns a beloved family asset into a heavy financial burden, often leaving them with no choice but to sell a property they had hoped to keep for generations.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":3716,"children":3718},{"id":3717},"structuring-the-shield-with-advanced-trust-planning",[3719],{"type":88,"value":3720},"Structuring the Shield with Advanced Trust Planning",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3722,"children":3723},{},[3724],{"type":88,"value":3725},"The state of Michigan understands how culturally and emotionally important it is for families to keep real estate in the family. To support this, lawmakers have created specific exemptions that allow certain residential properties to pass to close relatives—such as children, grandchildren, and siblings—without triggering the dreaded property tax uncapping.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3727,"children":3728},{},[3729],{"type":88,"value":3730},"But actually qualifying for these exemptions demands careful legal precision. You cannot rely on a generic form or an informal agreement. The state applies very strict rules governing how and in what form ownership is transferred.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3732,"children":3733},{},[3734,3736,3740],{"type":88,"value":3735},"That is why thoughtful ",{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":3737,"children":3738},{"href":114},[3739],{"type":88,"value":117},{"type":88,"value":3741}," and customized trust planning are so critical. Simply leaving a home to your children through a standard, uncoordinated will, or placing the property into a generic business structure (such as a typical LLC), can unintentionally disqualify the property from the exemption and cause an automatic uncapping.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3743,"children":3744},{},[3745],{"type":88,"value":3746},"By contrast, an experienced attorney can help you design a protective legal framework using advanced deeds (for example, an Enhanced Life Estate or “Lady Bird” deed) or carefully drafted, Michigan-compliant trusts. With the right structure, you can retain full control and use of your home or cottage during your lifetime, while ensuring that, at your death, the property passes smoothly and privately to your heirs—without losing the tax cap protection.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":3748,"children":3750},{"id":3749},"coordinating-the-whole-picture-for-wealth-preservation",[3751],{"type":88,"value":3752},"Coordinating the Whole Picture for Wealth Preservation",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3754,"children":3755},{},[3756,3758,3763],{"type":88,"value":3757},"Protecting a piece of real estate requires looking beyond the deed itself. True ",{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":3759,"children":3760},{},[3761],{"type":88,"value":3762},"wealth preservation",{"type":88,"value":3764}," means ensuring your entire estate works together in harmony.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3766,"children":3767},{},[3768],{"type":88,"value":3769},"When developing your transfer strategy, beneficiary planning needs to be carefully aligned with your overall asset protection goals. For example, even if you successfully pass down a family cottage without triggering tax uncapping, you still need to think about how your heirs will cover ongoing expenses like maintenance, insurance, and utilities.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3771,"children":3772},{},[3773],{"type":88,"value":3774},"A well-designed Michigan estate plan addresses this by coordinating your real estate planning with your liquid assets. Through a tailored trust, you can direct specific retirement or life insurance proceeds into a dedicated fund for upkeep. This way, the next generation inherits not only the property, but also the money needed to manage it—reducing financial strain and avoiding surprise costs or conflicts among siblings.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":3776,"children":3778},{"id":3777},"staying-ahead-of-changing-laws",[3779],{"type":88,"value":3780},"Staying Ahead of Changing Laws",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3782,"children":3783},{},[3784],{"type":88,"value":3785},"The legal and financial rules governing asset transfers are constantly evolving. State tax authorities regularly revise their guidance, and a strategy that felt rock-solid a few years ago may now contain hidden weak spots.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3787,"children":3788},{},[3789],{"type":88,"value":3790},"Truly committing to family legacy planning means treating your estate plan as a living document. By reviewing your strategy regularly with a professional, you can ensure that your deeds, trusts, and beneficiary designations stay in step with current Michigan law. Taking proactive action now is the most reliable way to remove uncertainty, defuse hidden tax traps, and make sure your life’s work remains a lasting gift to your family for generations.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3792,"children":3793},{},[3794],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":3795,"children":3796},{},[3797],{"type":88,"value":3798},"Are you ready to protect your home and cottage from unexpected tax traps?",{"title":357,"searchDepth":358,"depth":358,"links":3800},[3801,3802,3803,3804],{"id":3696,"depth":358,"text":3699},{"id":3717,"depth":358,"text":3720},{"id":3749,"depth":358,"text":3752},{"id":3777,"depth":358,"text":3780},"content:blog:how-estate-planning-can-help-protect-your-family-from-hidden-tax-traps.md","blog/how-estate-planning-can-help-protect-your-family-from-hidden-tax-traps.md","blog/how-estate-planning-can-help-protect-your-family-from-hidden-tax-traps",{"_path":3809,"_dir":3381,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":3810,"description":3811,"date":3812,"imageUrl":3813,"imageAlt":3814,"author":23,"body":3815,"_type":366,"_id":4026,"_source":368,"_file":4027,"_stem":4028,"_extension":371},"/blog/the-irrevocable-trust-myth-that-holds-families-back","The irrevocable trust myth that holds families back","Think an irrevocable trust means losing all control? Here is the truth about modern estate planning.\n\n\n\n","2026-05-19T00:00:00Z","/img/blog/rlf-blog-the-irrevocable-trust-myth.webp","family",{"type":79,"children":3816,"toc":4019},[3817,3826,3838,3843,3848,3857,3862,3867,3900,3909,3914,3919,3969,3978,3983,3988,3997,4002,4007,4015],{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":3818,"children":3820},{"id":3819},"what-control-can-you-actually-keep-in-an-irrevocable-trust",[3821],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":3822,"children":3823},{},[3824],{"type":88,"value":3825},"What Control Can You Actually Keep in an Irrevocable Trust?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3827,"children":3828},{},[3829,3831,3836],{"type":88,"value":3830},"When families first look into advanced estate planning, the word ",{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":3832,"children":3833},{},[3834],{"type":88,"value":3835},"irrevocable",{"type":88,"value":3837}," often stops the discussion in its tracks. It sounds rigid, permanent, and even a little scary. Most people jump to one conclusion: “If it’s irrevocable, I’m giving everything up.”",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3839,"children":3840},{},[3841],{"type":88,"value":3842},"That misunderstanding alone keeps countless families from using one of the most effective tools for protecting their wealth. While it’s true that you give up direct, personal ownership of the assets, today’s irrevocable trusts are highly sophisticated legal structures. With careful planning, you can still maintain meaningful legal influence and flexibility, while creating a strong layer of protection around the legacy you’ve worked so hard to build.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3844,"children":3845},{},[3846],{"type":88,"value":3847},"The key to effective family asset protection is understanding the difference between owning an asset outright and controlling its management over time.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":3849,"children":3851},{"id":3850},"the-control-vs-protection-tradeoff",[3852],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":3853,"children":3854},{},[3855],{"type":88,"value":3856},"The Control vs. Protection Tradeoff",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3858,"children":3859},{},[3860],{"type":88,"value":3861},"To see why many families still choose an asset protection trust, it helps to understand the legal tradeoff involved. When you hold property or cash in your own name, it’s fully exposed. If you’re sued, face major medical bills, or owe taxes, those assets are at risk simply because you personally own them.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3863,"children":3864},{},[3865],{"type":88,"value":3866},"Moving those assets into a well-designed irrevocable trust changes that relationship. You give up direct ownership, but in return, you gain a much stronger layer of protection. Families commonly use these trusts to:",{"type":82,"tag":3240,"props":3868,"children":3869},{},[3870,3880,3890],{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":3871,"children":3872},{},[3873,3878],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":3874,"children":3875},{},[3876],{"type":88,"value":3877},"Long-Term Care Planning:",{"type":88,"value":3879}," Protecting the family home and life savings from being completely drained by nursing home costs or Medicaid spend-down requirements.",{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":3881,"children":3882},{},[3883,3888],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":3884,"children":3885},{},[3886],{"type":88,"value":3887},"Tax Minimization:",{"type":88,"value":3889}," Reducing estate, gift, or income tax exposure across generations.",{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":3891,"children":3892},{},[3893,3898],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":3894,"children":3895},{},[3896],{"type":88,"value":3897},"Shielding Beneficiaries:",{"type":88,"value":3899}," Ensuring an inheritance isn't lost to a child's future divorce, bankruptcy, or creditor claims.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":3901,"children":3903},{"id":3902},"what-flexibility-and-control-can-you-actually-keep",[3904],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":3905,"children":3906},{},[3907],{"type":88,"value":3908},"What Flexibility and Control Can You Actually Keep?",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3910,"children":3911},{},[3912],{"type":88,"value":3913},"Many people are surprised to find out how much control they still have during the process of setting up an irrevocable trust. As the person creating the trust, you design the framework and set the rules from the very beginning.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3915,"children":3916},{},[3917],{"type":88,"value":3918},"Through careful drafting, here are the key areas you can still shape and customize:",{"type":82,"tag":3240,"props":3920,"children":3921},{},[3922,3932,3942,3952],{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":3923,"children":3924},{},[3925,3930],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":3926,"children":3927},{},[3928],{"type":88,"value":3929},"Choosing the Trustee:",{"type":88,"value":3931}," You have the power to decide exactly who will manage the trust assets. This can be a trusted family member, a professional fiduciary, or a combination of both.",{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":3933,"children":3934},{},[3935,3940],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":3936,"children":3937},{},[3938],{"type":88,"value":3939},"Naming Successor Trustees:",{"type":88,"value":3941}," You can establish a clear chain of command that defines who takes over management if your primary trustee passes away or becomes unable to serve.",{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":3943,"children":3944},{},[3945,3950],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":3946,"children":3947},{},[3948],{"type":88,"value":3949},"Setting Distribution Instructions:",{"type":88,"value":3951}," You can write explicit guidelines detailing exactly how, when, and under what conditions your beneficiaries receive money. For example, you can stipulate that funds are only distributed for higher education, healthcare, or upon reaching a certain age.",{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":3953,"children":3954},{},[3955,3960,3962,3967],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":3956,"children":3957},{},[3958],{"type":88,"value":3959},"Trust Protector Provisions:",{"type":88,"value":3961}," This is a vital feature of modern ",{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":3963,"children":3964},{},[3965],{"type":88,"value":3966},"estate planning trusts",{"type":88,"value":3968},". A \"Trust Protector\" is an independent third party you appoint who has the authority to make specific modifications to the trust later on—such as changing the trustee or adapting provisions if tax laws or your family circumstances drastically change.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":3970,"children":3972},{"id":3971},"the-unintended-limitations-of-diy-trust-planning",[3973],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":3974,"children":3975},{},[3976],{"type":88,"value":3977},"The Unintended Limitations of DIY Trust Planning",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3979,"children":3980},{},[3981],{"type":88,"value":3982},"Because modern trust structures are so customized, how the document is drafted can make or break the plan. That’s why relying on generic, do‑it‑yourself online forms can lead to serious problems down the line.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3984,"children":3985},{},[3986],{"type":88,"value":3987},"One-size-fits-all templates rarely account for the nuances of a family’s needs. They often leave out important flexibility provisions, lock you into an inflexible trustee arrangement, or add unnecessary restrictions that can limit your family’s options in the future. And once a poorly drafted irrevocable trust is signed and funded, those errors can be extremely difficult—and sometimes impossible—to fix.",{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":3989,"children":3991},{"id":3990},"partnering-with-an-expert",[3992],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":3993,"children":3994},{},[3995],{"type":88,"value":3996},"Partnering with an Expert",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":3998,"children":3999},{},[4000],{"type":88,"value":4001},"Real protection doesn’t come from a boilerplate form; it comes from a carefully designed plan that reflects your family’s specific goals. When you work with an experienced irrevocable trust attorney, you can shape a document that balances strong asset protection with meaningful flexibility during your lifetime.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":4003,"children":4004},{},[4005],{"type":88,"value":4006},"If your aim is to secure your home and savings for the next generation—without feeling like you’ve given up control or peace of mind—it may be time to look beyond the myths and take a closer look at what an irrevocable trust can actually do for you.",{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":4008,"children":4009},{},[4010],{"type":82,"tag":238,"props":4011,"children":4012},{},[4013],{"type":88,"value":4014},"Are you ready to discover how an irrevocable trust fits into your strategic plan?",{"type":82,"tag":4016,"props":4017,"children":4018},"br",{},[],{"title":357,"searchDepth":358,"depth":358,"links":4020},[4021,4022,4023,4024,4025],{"id":3819,"depth":358,"text":3825},{"id":3850,"depth":358,"text":3856},{"id":3902,"depth":358,"text":3908},{"id":3971,"depth":358,"text":3977},{"id":3990,"depth":358,"text":3996},"content:blog:the-irrevocable-trust-myth-that-holds-families-back.md","blog/the-irrevocable-trust-myth-that-holds-families-back.md","blog/the-irrevocable-trust-myth-that-holds-families-back",[4030],{"_path":3171,"_dir":3172,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":3173,"description":3174,"name":23,"role":3175,"imageUrl":3176,"leadership":957,"order":3177,"imageAlt":3178,"practiceAreas":4031,"body":4032,"_type":366,"_id":3305,"_source":368,"_file":3306,"_stem":3307,"_extension":371},[3180,3181,49],{"type":79,"children":4033,"toc":4126},[4034,4048,4052,4056,4060,4064,4068,4072,4076,4107,4111],{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":4035,"children":4036},{},[4037,4038,4042,4043,4047],{"type":88,"value":3188},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":4039,"children":4040},{"href":114},[4041],{"type":88,"value":117},{"type":88,"value":153},{"type":82,"tag":97,"props":4044,"children":4045},{"href":3196},[4046],{"type":88,"value":3199},{"type":88,"value":3201},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":4049,"children":4050},{},[4051],{"type":88,"value":3206},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":4053,"children":4054},{},[4055],{"type":88,"value":3211},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":4057,"children":4058},{},[4059],{"type":88,"value":3216},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":4061,"children":4062},{},[4063],{"type":88,"value":3221},{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":4065,"children":4066},{"id":3224},[4067],{"type":88,"value":3227},{"type":82,"tag":91,"props":4069,"children":4070},{},[4071],{"type":88,"value":3232},{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":4073,"children":4074},{"id":3235},[4075],{"type":88,"value":3238},{"type":82,"tag":3240,"props":4077,"children":4078},{},[4079,4083,4087,4091,4095,4099,4103],{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":4080,"children":4081},{},[4082],{"type":88,"value":3180},{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":4084,"children":4085},{},[4086],{"type":88,"value":3251},{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":4088,"children":4089},{},[4090],{"type":88,"value":3181},{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":4092,"children":4093},{},[4094],{"type":88,"value":3260},{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":4096,"children":4097},{},[4098],{"type":88,"value":3265},{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":4100,"children":4101},{},[4102],{"type":88,"value":3270},{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":4104,"children":4105},{},[4106],{"type":88,"value":3275},{"type":82,"tag":83,"props":4108,"children":4109},{"id":3278},[4110],{"type":88,"value":3281},{"type":82,"tag":3240,"props":4112,"children":4113},{},[4114,4118,4122],{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":4115,"children":4116},{},[4117],{"type":88,"value":3289},{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":4119,"children":4120},{},[4121],{"type":88,"value":3294},{"type":82,"tag":234,"props":4123,"children":4124},{},[4125],{"type":88,"value":3299},{"title":357,"searchDepth":358,"depth":358,"links":4127},[4128,4129,4130],{"id":3224,"depth":358,"text":3227},{"id":3235,"depth":358,"text":3238},{"id":3278,"depth":358,"text":3281},1794157781847]