Family Focus Law

Probate, Guardianship & Conservatorship in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan

The legal responsibilities that follow a death can be unfamiliar even when a family member left a will. Someone may suddenly be responsible for opening an estate, addressing debts and taxes, handling property, and eventually distributing assets to beneficiaries. Other families may face a different problem when an aging or disabled relative can no longer safely manage personal or financial affairs.

Family Focus Law assists clients with probate administration, contested probate matters, guardianships, and conservatorships from its Grosse Pointe Farms office. Attorney Dana M. Constand founded the practice in 2014. Her work combines probate matters with an established family-law practice.

Taking Responsibility for an Estate

Family Focus Law represents executors and personal representatives responsible for administering estates after a death.

The probate process can involve validating a will, preparing and filing court documents, addressing the deceased person's debts and taxes, handling estate property, and ultimately distributing assets to the appropriate beneficiaries.

For someone serving as personal representative for the first time, these duties can create responsibilities that extend well beyond dividing possessions among family members. The estate may contain financial accounts, investments, personal property, real estate, and outstanding obligations that need to be addressed before administration can be completed.

Constand assists personal representatives with the documents, court proceedings, and other legal requirements involved in moving an estate through probate.

Probate Without a Will

Family Focus Law also handles estates in which the deceased person did not leave a will.

Without a valid will providing instructions for probate property, administration still needs to address the deceased person's assets and obligations. Michigan law determines who is entitled to inherit property passing through an intestate estate.

A personal representative may still need to be appointed, estate property identified, debts and taxes addressed, and remaining assets distributed.

For surviving relatives, this can mean dealing simultaneously with the practical responsibilities of settling an estate and legal rules governing inheritance when the deceased person did not leave their own instructions.

An Estate That Includes a House or Other Real Estate

Real property can add another set of responsibilities to probate administration.

Family Focus Law handles property transfers arising during estate administration. Its probate services involving real estate include deeds, buy-sell agreements, and closing statements.

A personal representative may therefore need to address not only who is entitled to the property but also the legal steps required to transfer or sell it as part of settling the estate.

This can be particularly significant when a home represents one of the estate's largest assets or when several beneficiaries have an interest in what ultimately happens to the property.

Constand assists with the probate and real estate-transfer issues involved in completing that part of the administration.

Disputes Over Wills and Trusts

Not every estate proceeds without disagreement.

Family Focus Law represents clients in contested probate matters involving wills and trusts. A disagreement over the documents governing an inheritance can turn an otherwise administrative proceeding into a dispute requiring legal representation.

These conflicts can be particularly difficult when the parties are relatives who have different understandings of what the deceased person intended.

Constand's work encompasses both routine probate administration and contested matters, allowing the firm to assist when disagreement becomes part of settling an estate.

An Aging or Disabled Family Member Who Needs Assistance

Family Focus Law also handles guardianship and conservatorship proceedings involving adults who need help managing important aspects of their lives.

A guardian can receive court-authorized responsibility for personal matters when an individual cannot adequately make those decisions independently. Family Focus Law handles both full and limited adult guardianships, depending on the authority required.

A conservatorship addresses financial matters and property. This can become relevant when an elderly or disabled individual is no longer able to manage money or assets safely.

These proceedings can involve significant decisions about another person's independence, care, property, and finances. Constand represents families through the court process involved in establishing the appropriate legal authority.

Concerns About Financial Exploitation or Scams

The need for a conservatorship may become apparent when a vulnerable family member is having difficulty protecting or managing finances.

Family Focus Law specifically addresses circumstances involving concerns about financial exploitation and scams targeting elderly or disabled individuals.

For relatives, the problem may become evident through unusual financial activity, declining ability to handle money, or concerns that another person is taking advantage of the individual's vulnerability.

A conservatorship can provide court-established authority for someone to manage and protect property when the legal requirements for appointment are satisfied.

Constand assists families with conservatorship proceedings and the responsibilities involved in managing another person's financial affairs.

Changes to an Existing Guardianship

Guardianship proceedings do not necessarily end once a guardian has been appointed.

Family Focus Law handles matters involving the termination of guardianships as well as their establishment. This can become relevant when circumstances have changed and the existing arrangement is no longer appropriate or necessary.

The firm also handles limited guardianships, allowing the scope of authority to be addressed according to the circumstances rather than assuming every person requires a guardian with the same level of responsibility.

These matters provide a way for families to address changes in the needs or abilities of the person subject to the guardianship through the Probate Court process.

Probate Representation in a Family-Focused Practice

Dana M. Constand founded Family Focus Law in 2014. In addition to the firm's family-law practice, her work includes probate administration, contested probate matters, guardianships, and conservatorships.

Constand is a member of the Wayne County Probate Bar Association.

Her probate work includes helping personal representatives administer estates with and without wills, addressing real estate transfers during administration, and representing clients in will and trust contests. Her guardianship and conservatorship practice addresses situations involving elderly and disabled adults who need assistance with personal or financial affairs.

Serving the Grosse Pointe Communities and Nearby Areas

Family Focus Law is located at 21 Kercheval Avenue, Suite 260 in Grosse Pointe Farms. The firm serves clients in Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe Woods, Grosse Pointe Shores, Detroit, Harper Woods, and St. Clair Shores.

Practice Areas

• Probate Administration

• Intestate Estate Administration

• Personal Representative Representation

• Contested Probate Matters

• Will Contests

• Trust Contests

• Probate Real Estate Transfers

• Guardianships

• Limited Adult Guardianships

• Conservatorships

• Guardianship Termination