Maple Law Group

Estate Planning, Special Needs & Probate Attorneys in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Estate planning isn't always about passing property from one generation to the next. Sometimes it's about making sure a child with disabilities will be cared for throughout adulthood. Other families need legal authority to help an aging parent manage financial or medical decisions. Others are suddenly responsible for administering an estate after the loss of a loved one and aren't sure where to begin.

Maple Law Group helps Michigan families navigate these important life transitions through estate planning, probate, trust administration, guardianships, conservatorships, and special needs planning. The firm's practice focuses on helping families make informed decisions while protecting the people who depend on them most.

Planning for Loved Ones with Disabilities

Families caring for a child or adult with disabilities often face planning questions that go beyond a traditional will or trust.

Parents may want to leave financial support without affecting eligibility for programs such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income. Adult children may wonder whether a parent with developmental disabilities truly needs a court-appointed guardian, or whether a less restrictive alternative would better preserve independence.

Maple Law Group helps families explore these decisions through special needs planning, including third-party special needs trusts, MiABLE accounts, and supported decision-making arrangements. Rather than assuming every situation requires the same solution, the firm works with families to identify an approach that balances protection with as much personal independence as possible.

Preparing for Life's Unexpected Changes

Many people think of estate planning as something that only matters after death, but some of the most important decisions affect life before then.

Choosing who can manage financial matters, make healthcare decisions, or care for minor children if the unexpected happens can spare loved ones from uncertainty during already difficult times. Maple Law Group assists clients with wills, trusts, financial powers of attorney, patient advocate designations, and related planning tools designed to help families prepare before a crisis develops.

The firm's estate planning practice also addresses blended families, complex family relationships, and other situations where careful planning can help reduce future misunderstandings or disputes.

Helping Families Through Probate and Trust Administration

When a loved one dies, surviving family members often discover that settling an estate involves responsibilities they never expected.

Personal representatives and trustees may need to gather assets, work with the probate court, notify creditors, pay debts, and distribute property according to a will or trust. Maple Law Group helps clients understand these responsibilities while guiding them through both probate administration and trust administration under Michigan law.

Whether an estate is relatively straightforward or raises more complicated legal questions, the firm's goal is to help families move through the process with a clear understanding of each step.

When Families Disagree

Unfortunately, not every estate proceeds as planned.

Questions about the validity of a will, concerns that someone was improperly influenced, or disagreements involving trustees or beneficiaries can lead to probate litigation. Maple Law Group represents clients in estate and trust disputes while also offering mediation as an alternative when families hope to resolve disagreements without extended court proceedings.

For many families, preserving relationships while reaching a fair resolution can be just as important as the legal outcome itself.

Helping Families Protect Vulnerable Loved Ones

Sometimes a loved one reaches a point where additional legal protection becomes necessary.

Maple Law Group assists families with guardianship and conservatorship proceedings involving minors, older adults, and individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Just as importantly, the firm's website recognizes that court-appointed guardianship isn't always the only answer. When appropriate, the attorneys also help families explore less restrictive alternatives that allow individuals to maintain as much independence as possible while still receiving needed support.

Serving Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County

From its Ann Arbor office, Maple Law Group serves individuals and families throughout the Washtenaw County area who are planning for the future, caring for loved ones with disabilities, administering estates, or navigating difficult probate matters. The firm's practice reflects the understanding that estate planning is ultimately about protecting people—especially those who may need additional guidance and support during life's most challenging moments.

Practice Areas

• Estate Planning

• Wills

• Trusts

• Revocable Living Trusts

• Probate Administration

• Trust Administration

• Special Needs Planning

• Third-Party Special Needs Trusts

• Supported Decision-Making

• MiABLE Accounts

• Financial Powers of Attorney

• Patient Advocate Designations

• Guardianships

• Conservatorships

• Probate & Trust Litigation

• Estate & Probate Mediation