Ihrie O'Brien, Attorneys & Counselors

Estate Planning Attorneys in St. Clair Shores, Michigan

Planning for the future often involves more than preparing a will. Families may need to decide who will manage financial affairs during an illness, help an aging parent qualify for long-term care, administer an estate after a loved one dies, or resolve disagreements over an inheritance. 

Ihrie O'Brien assists clients with estate planning as well as the legal matters that can arise before, during, and after the transfer of an estate.With a history dating back to 1951, the firm provides estate planning, probate, trust administration, guardianship matters, and estate litigation for individuals and families throughout the region.

Planning for the Future

An estate plan should reflect a family's unique circumstances rather than relying on standard forms. Ihrie O'Brien works with clients to prepare wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, and healthcare planning documents that establish how property should be managed and distributed while also providing guidance if someone becomes unable to make decisions independently.

For parents, this may include planning for minor children. For others, it may involve updating an older estate plan after a marriage, divorce, retirement, or other significant life event.

Medicaid and Long-Term Care Planning

The cost of long-term nursing care can quickly affect a family's financial security. Ihrie O'Brien assists clients with Medicaid planning and related estate planning strategies intended to help individuals prepare for future long-term care needs while complying with Michigan law.

The firm also advises clients regarding gifting strategies, charitable giving, and estate tax considerations when those issues become part of an overall estate plan.

Probate and Trust Administration

Following the death of a loved one, families are often faced with legal responsibilities while they are still grieving. Personal representatives and trustees may need assistance understanding their duties, gathering assets, paying creditors, and distributing property according to a will or trust.

Ihrie O'Brien represents clients through probate and trust administration, helping guide them through the legal process from the opening of an estate to its final distribution.

Resolving Estate and Trust Disputes

Not every estate is administered without disagreement. Questions may arise about the validity of a will, the actions of a personal representative or trustee, or whether estate assets are being handled appropriately.

Ihrie O'Brien represents clients in probate litigation involving contested wills, trust disputes, and other inheritance-related conflicts. The firm also handles matters involving estates when the deceased lived in Michigan or when probate issues involve multiple states.

Guardianships and Conservatorships

When an aging parent or another loved one is no longer able to safely manage personal or financial affairs, family members may need to seek legal authority to act on that person's behalf.

Ihrie O'Brien assists clients with guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, helping families navigate the court process while addressing the needs of individuals who require ongoing protection and decision-making assistance.

A Longstanding Presence in St. Clair Shores

From its office in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, Ihrie O'Brien serves individuals and families throughout Macomb County and the greater Detroit metropolitan area. The firm's estate planning practice extends beyond preparing legal documents to assisting clients with probate administration, trust matters, guardianships, and estate disputes when families need guidance through some of life's more challenging transitions.

Practice Areas

• Estate Planning

• Wills

• Trusts

• Durable Powers of Attorney

• Healthcare Powers of Attorney

• Medicaid Planning

• Estate Tax Planning

• Charitable Estate Planning

• Probate Administration

• Trust Administration

• Probate Litigation

• Will Contests

• Trust Litigation

• Guardianships

• Conservatorships