Garris, Garris, Garris & Garris

Wills, Probate & Incapacity Planning Attorneys in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Many families begin estate planning with a few immediate concerns. Who should receive my property? Who will handle the estate? What happens if I become unable to manage my finances or make medical decisions?

Parents and grandparents may also want to prevent a young beneficiary from receiving an inheritance before that person is mature enough to manage it. After a death, relatives may need help opening a probate estate and carrying out the deceased person’s instructions.

Garris, Garris, Garris & Garris, P.C. assists Ann Arbor-area families with wills, simple trusts, financial and medical powers of attorney, probate, guardianships, and conservatorships. The multigenerational family firm has served the Ann Arbor community since the early 1950s.

I Need a Will

A will gives you an opportunity to decide who should receive property passing through your probate estate and name the personal representative who should carry out your instructions.

Without a valid will, Michigan law determines which relatives inherit probate property. Those rules may not reflect your relationships or the way you would have divided your estate.

A will can also record wishes concerning funeral arrangements and create a trust for a younger beneficiary. This may prevent a child or young adult from receiving an inheritance outright before being ready to manage it responsibly.

Garris Law prepares wills based on the client’s family, property, and intended beneficiaries.

My Children or Grandchildren Are Too Young to Inherit

Leaving property to a young beneficiary requires more planning than simply naming that person in a will.

A child cannot independently manage inherited property. Even an adult beneficiary may not be prepared to receive a substantial amount immediately after turning 18.

The firm prepares simple trusts that can place inherited property under the control of a selected trustee. The trust can provide direction about how the property should be used and when the beneficiary should receive it.

This allows a parent or grandparent to choose both the person who will manage the inheritance and the circumstances under which it will eventually be distributed.

Who Will Handle My Finances If I Cannot?

An accident, illness, or cognitive condition may leave someone temporarily or permanently unable to manage money or property.

A financial power of attorney allows a trusted person to make authorized financial decisions. That person may be able to pay bills, manage accounts, sign necessary documents, or address other financial responsibilities when the individual cannot act independently.

Without an effective power of attorney, relatives may need to petition the Probate Court for the appointment of a conservator. That process takes time, involves court oversight, and may result in someone other than the individual’s preferred choice receiving authority.

Preparing the document before it is needed gives the client greater control over who will manage financial affairs during incapacity.

Who Will Make Medical Decisions for Me?

A medical emergency may leave family members unsure who has the legal authority to make healthcare decisions.

A medical power of attorney allows an adult to choose someone trusted to act when the patient cannot make or communicate informed decisions.

The selected person should understand the client’s wishes and be prepared to speak during a stressful medical situation. Discussing those wishes in advance can reduce uncertainty and conflict among relatives.

Without advance medical planning, a family may need to ask the Probate Court to appoint a guardian before someone has authority to make necessary decisions.

Garris Law prepares medical and financial powers of attorney alongside wills and other foundational planning documents.

Dad Died and I Need to Probate the Estate

After a death, someone may need to determine whether probate is necessary and who has authority to act for the estate.

The personal representative may be responsible for identifying property, addressing debts and expenses, communicating with interested parties, following Probate Court requirements, and distributing assets according to the will or Michigan law.

These responsibilities can be difficult to understand while the family is grieving, particularly when records are incomplete or relatives disagree about what should happen.

Garris Law assists families with probating estates and carrying out the legal steps required after a death.

My Relative May Need a Guardian or Conservator

A serious illness, disability, or cognitive decline may leave an adult unable to make safe personal or financial decisions.

A guardian generally receives authority over personal and care-related matters. A conservator generally manages money and property.

These proceedings can significantly affect an individual’s rights and independence. Families may need to determine whether court intervention is necessary, what authority should be requested, and who is qualified to serve.

Garris Law handles both guardianship and conservatorship matters through the probate courts.

Experience With Court Proceedings and Family Conflict

Probate and incapacity matters do not always remain routine. Relatives may disagree about who should be in charge, how property should be handled, or whether court intervention is necessary.

Steven Z. Garris practices in probate and wills and brings decades of trial, appellate, and mediation experience to the firm. That background may be useful when an estate, guardianship, or conservatorship matter involves disagreement or requires contested court proceedings.

The website does not present Garris Law as a specialized probate-litigation practice. Its litigation experience nevertheless provides relevant background for families whose matter may require more than document preparation.

A Long-Established Ann Arbor Family Firm

Garris Law was founded by Jack J. Garris, whose children continued the family practice. The firm has represented clients in Ann Arbor and throughout Michigan for more than seven decades.

Although its broader practice is strongly focused on personal injury, it also provides foundational wills and probate services. Clients work directly with an attorney rather than having their matter handled only through nonlawyer staff.

The office is located on East Washington Street in downtown Ann Arbor.

Practice Areas

• Wills

• Simple Trusts

• Financial Powers of Attorney

• Medical Powers of Attorney

• Probate

• Guardianships

• Conservatorships

• Planning for Young Beneficiaries