Head Murphy Law

Estate Planning & Probate Attorneys in Farmington Hills, Michigan

Planning for the future often involves more than deciding who will inherit property. Families may need to prepare for the possibility of incapacity, choose someone to manage financial affairs, help aging parents, or guide loved ones through the responsibilities that follow a death. Head Murphy Law assists clients with estate planning, probate administration, trust administration, and related probate matters while recognizing that many of these situations arise unexpectedly and during emotionally difficult times.

As a general practice law firm, Head Murphy Law incorporates estate planning into a broader legal practice that also includes real estate, business law, and litigation. This structure allows the firm to assist clients whose estate matters intersect with property ownership, business interests, or contested probate proceedings, while keeping the focus on practical solutions tailored to each family's circumstances. 

Planning for Life's Unexpected Transitions

Many people begin estate planning after a significant life event. The birth of a child, purchasing a home, caring for aging parents, starting a business, or approaching retirement often prompts families to think about how important decisions will be made in the future.

Head Murphy Law works with clients to prepare estate plans that address both lifetime decision-making and the distribution of assets after death. Depending on a client's goals, an estate plan may include wills, trusts, financial powers of attorney, healthcare powers of attorney, beneficiary designations, and planning strategies designed to reflect the client's wishes while complying with Michigan law. 

The firm's materials also emphasize that estate planning is not limited to individuals with substantial wealth; anyone who wants to control how personal, financial, or medical decisions are handled can benefit from having a plan in place. 

Helping Personal Representatives and Trustees Through Probate

Serving as the personal representative of an estate or trustee of a trust often comes with responsibilities that many people have never encountered before. After the death of a loved one, fiduciaries may be responsible for identifying assets, paying debts, communicating with beneficiaries, preparing court filings, and distributing property according to a will, trust, or Michigan law.

Rather than simply describing the probate process, Head Murphy Law's probate practice focuses on helping individuals who suddenly find themselves in these fiduciary roles. The firm assists personal representatives and trustees from the opening of an estate through the final distribution of assets, helping them understand their legal obligations and navigate the administrative requirements involved in estate and trust administration.

Protecting Loved Ones Who Can No Longer Make Decisions

Estate planning sometimes extends beyond preparing documents for the future. Families may reach a point where a parent, spouse, or other loved one can no longer safely manage healthcare decisions, finances, or daily affairs.

Head Murphy Law assists clients with guardianship and conservatorship matters when court involvement becomes necessary. The firm's materials explain the distinction between guardians, who make decisions regarding a person's care and living arrangements, and conservators, who manage financial affairs for individuals who are unable to do so themselves. The website also notes that less restrictive alternatives may be appropriate in some situations, making careful evaluation an important part of the process before seeking court appointment. 

When Probate Disputes Arise

Although many estates are administered without conflict, disagreements can occur between family members, beneficiaries, trustees, or personal representatives. Questions regarding the validity of a will, the interpretation of a trust, or the actions of a fiduciary may require legal intervention if they cannot be resolved informally.

Head Murphy Law represents clients in probate litigation involving contested estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and fiduciary disputes. The firm's probate materials indicate that attorneys first seek good-faith resolutions when possible, while also representing clients in probate court when litigation becomes necessary to protect the interests of an estate or an incapacitated individual. 

Estate Planning and Real Estate Often Go Hand in Hand

For many Michigan families, real estate represents one of the largest assets in an estate. Decisions involving a family home, rental property, or other real estate frequently become part of the broader estate planning process.

Because Head Murphy Law also maintains a real estate practice, the firm is positioned to advise clients when estate planning intersects with property ownership, title questions, transfers of real estate, or other legal matters involving residential and commercial property. This coordination can be particularly valuable when property ownership forms an important part of a family's long-term planning objectives.

A Collaborative Approach Across Multiple Practice Areas

Some estate matters involve issues that extend beyond wills and trusts. Business ownership, real estate transactions, litigation, or other legal concerns may become part of the planning or administration process.

Head Murphy Law describes its practice as collaborative, with attorneys working across multiple disciplines when a client's circumstances involve overlapping legal issues. For clients whose estate planning needs are connected to business, property, or contested probate matters, this structure allows related legal issues to be addressed within the same firm when appropriate.

Assisting Clients from Farmington Hills

Head Murphy Law serves clients from its Farmington Hills office, assisting individuals and families throughout Oakland County and the surrounding metropolitan Detroit area. The firm's estate planning and probate practice includes helping clients prepare for future decision-making, administer estates and trusts, establish guardianships or conservatorships when needed, and resolve probate disputes that arise after the death or incapacity of a loved one.

Practice Areas

• Estate Planning

• Wills

• Trusts

• Probate & Estate Administration

• Trust Administration

• Probate Litigation

• Guardianships

• Conservatorships

• Powers of Attorney

• Healthcare Powers of Attorney

• Business Succession Planning

• Charitable Giving Planning