Wills Attorney Ann Arbor & Tecumseh, Michigan
Protect Your Family’s Future with a Comprehensive Michigan Will
At Stimpson & Associates, we help Michigan families create clear, legally sound wills that protect their loved ones and honor their wishes. A will is the foundation of every estate plan–it ensures your assets go to the people you choose, names guardians for your children, and prevents confusion during an already difficult time.
We take time to understand your unique situation, explain your options in plain language, and create customized documents that reflect your values and protect what matters most.
Professional Experience You Can Trust
Our team at Stimpson & Associates encourages consultations vs. walk-ins allowing us to give our clients our undivided attention. Your needs come first. We take time to understand your family dynamics, assets, health considerations, and long-term goals. Then we create a customized will that addresses your unique circumstances and provides the right level of protection.
We stay current on Michigan’s estate planning statutes and probate requirements, ensuring your will meets all legal standards while clearly reflecting your wishes. Our clients benefit from our strong local court experience, attention to detail, and commitment to protecting your family’s future.
Clear communication, thoughtful guidance, and meticulous attention to detail are the cornerstones of our work. We explain every decision in plain language, answer all your questions, and make sure you feel confident about the plan you’re creating. When you leave our office, you’ll have a legally sound will that protects your interests and gives your loved ones clear direction when they need it most.
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Why Every Michigan Adult Needs a Will
A will is your written instruction for what happens to your property, assets, and children after your death. Without a valid will, Michigan’s intestacy laws–not you–determine who inherits your property and who cares for your minor children.
Your will allows you to:
- Name guardians for minor children (the most important decision for parents)
- Control how your assets are distributed among family, friends, or charities
- Designate a personal representative to manage your estate through probate
- Prevent family conflict by providing clear instructions
- Simplify the probate process and reduce costs for your loved ones
- Include special provisions for blended families, business interests, or charitable giving
What happens without a will: If you die without a will in Michigan, state law decides who gets your assets–which may not align with your wishes. Your spouse might not inherit everything, unmarried partners receive nothing, stepchildren are typically excluded, and the court chooses guardians for your children. The probate process takes longer and costs more, and family disputes become more likely.
What Can You Include in Your Will?
Your Michigan will can address distribution of real estate, bank accounts, investments, business interests, vehicles, personal property, family heirlooms, and digital assets. You’ll name guardians for minor children, designate a personal representative (executor) to manage your estate, specify how debts and taxes should be paid, make charitable bequests, and provide funeral and burial preferences. For complex situations like blended families, special needs children, or business ownership, we ensure your will includes provisions that protect everyone’s interests.
For your will to be legally enforceable in Michigan, you must be at least 18 years old and of sound mind. The will must be in writing, signed by you at the end of the document, and witnessed by two adults who are present when you sign. While not required, notarization with a self-proving affidavit makes probate easier by allowing the court to accept your will without tracking down witnesses years later.
Common mistakes that invalidate wills include missing or insufficient witnesses, witnesses who are also beneficiaries, unsigned documents, handwritten changes made after signing, and improper execution. Our attorneys ensure your will meets all Michigan requirements and can withstand legal challenges.
Ensure State Compliance–Talk With a Local Lawyer
Wills vs. Trusts: Understanding Your Options
Many people wonder whether they need a will, a trust, or both. Wills are less expensive to create, handle guardianship nominations for children, and distribute assets not covered by other mechanisms. However, wills must go through probate—a public, time-consuming process. Trusts avoid probate, provide privacy, protect assets during incapacity, and can reduce estate taxes for larger estates, but they’re more expensive to create and don’t address guardianship for children.
Our recommendation: Most Michigan families benefit from both a will and a trust. The trust holds major assets and avoids probate, while the will acts as a safety net for any remaining assets and names guardians for children. We’ll help you determine the right strategy based on your assets, family situation, and goals.
When to Update Your Will
Review and update your will every three to five years or whenever major life changes occur. Marriage, divorce, birth or adoption of children, death of a beneficiary, significant changes in your assets, relocation to another state, or changes in relationships all warrant an immediate review. Financial shifts like inheritances, business sales, or significant asset changes should also trigger updates. Your will should evolve as your life changes to ensure it always reflects your current wishes.
Special Situations Requiring Careful Planning
Blended families need wills that ensure both your spouse and children from previous relationships are properly provided for. Minor children with special needs may require Special Needs Trusts to protect government benefits while providing for their care. Business owners should address ownership succession, buy-sell agreements, and business valuation in their wills. Unmarried partners must explicitly name each other as beneficiaries since Michigan doesn’t recognize common-law marriage. Digital assets including email accounts, social media, cryptocurrency, and online files should be addressed with specific authority granted to your personal representative.
Why DIY Wills Don’t Work
Generic online wills and do-it-yourself kits often fail to meet Michigan’s specific execution requirements, can’t address unique family situations, and frequently create unintended consequences. Improper signing and witnessing invalidates the entire document, and generic forms can’t provide legal advice about tax implications or probate strategies. When DIY wills fail, your family pays thousands in additional legal fees to fix problems that proper planning would have prevented. A professionally drafted will costs far less than correcting a defective one.
Secure Your Family’s Future Today
Your family deserves clarity about your wishes and security for their future. Don’t leave their wellbeing to chance or Michigan’s default inheritance laws. A properly drafted will ensures your assets go where you intend, your children are cared for by people you trust, and your loved ones aren’t left guessing during an already difficult time.
Contact Stimpson & Associates today to schedule your consultation in Ann Arbor or Tecumseh. We’re here to help you create a will that protects your family, honors your values, and provides peace of mind.
What Our Clients Are Saying
Clients consistently mention relief, clarity, and respectful guidance. Many appreciate how quickly a funded trust lets a trustee step in without court appointments. Short, specific outcomes speak louder than slogans.
My wife and I worked with Jessica Kelly to rewrite and update our estate documents. Jessica was thoughtful, caring, articulate and professional and showed a thorough understanding of issues we faced. She worked carefully and patiently with us to produce a document that we feel will serve us well. Without reservation, we would recommend her services to others.
Our family experienced an unimaginable tragedy and Stimpson Law helped us every step of the way. They were understanding, caring, and showed compassion while handling our legal matters. We are so appreciative of the entire office and highly recommend them.
Mr. Stimpson and his colleagues were so kind and very polite and helpful, when I was going through my divorce. They took the time and patience to explain everything in detail to my understanding. I would refer Stimpson & Associates to anyone who needs lawyer services.
I wish I could give Stimpson and his team more than five stars! Stimpson was my attorney for a drawn-out and emotional case. He kept me level-headed, focused, and most importantly, prepared. I genuinely appreciate his advice, his honesty, and his straightforward attitude. My fight was his fight and that was evident in the courtroom. Stimpson was worth every single penny! A BIG thank you to him and his team!
Attorney Team:
Your Ann Arbor and Tecumseh Counsel
You work directly with attorneys focused on trusts and estates, supported by a careful team that keeps you informed. We coordinate with financial and tax advisors when needed, and we stay available when your family needs help later.
David M. Stimpson
Managing Partner
David Lacasse
Attorney
