Monaghan, Attorneys & Counselors

Trust & Estate Planning Attorneys in Troy, Michigan

Monaghan, P.C. is a full-service law firm that has served Michigan clients for more than a century. While the firm practices in many areas of civil law, its Trusts and Estates Practice assists individuals, families, business owners, and fiduciaries with estate planning, probate, trust administration, tax planning, and related legal matters.

Because estate planning often overlaps with business ownership, taxation, long-term care planning, and family relationships, the attorneys approach each plan by reviewing a client's assets, financial obligations, family circumstances, and long-term goals before recommending legal strategies. The objective is to develop a coordinated plan rather than simply preparing individual documents.

Planning Before a Health Crisis Leaves Decisions to Someone Else

Many of the most important estate planning decisions involve events that occur during a person's lifetime rather than after death. A sudden illness or accident can leave someone unable to manage finances or communicate healthcare wishes.

Preparing medical and financial powers of attorney, living wills, and advance healthcare directives allows clients to identify who should make decisions on their behalf if they lose that ability. Addressing these issues before an emergency can reduce uncertainty and help families avoid seeking court-appointed guardianships or conservatorships when other planning options are available.

Creating a Trust Is Only the Beginning

Signing a trust does not automatically place assets into it. If property is never transferred, a trust may not accomplish many of the objectives for which it was created.

The attorneys place importance on helping clients understand the trust-funding process after estate planning documents are completed. By reviewing ownership of real estate, financial accounts, and other assets, they help clients take the additional steps necessary for a trust to function as intended.

Protecting a Loved One Who May Always Need Assistance

Leaving an inheritance outright is not always the best solution for every beneficiary. A family member with disabilities may have different financial and legal needs than other heirs.

Monaghan prepares special needs trusts and related estate planning arrangements that allow families to provide ongoing financial support while considering eligibility for government benefit programs. Planning can also address long-term management of inherited assets when a beneficiary is unable to manage property independently.

Preparing for Long-Term Care Without Overlooking the Estate Plan

The possibility of future nursing home care or extended medical needs often affects decisions about how assets should be owned and transferred.

The firm's estate planning practice includes Medicaid planning and asset protection strategies that are integrated into broader estate plans rather than treated as separate issues. This allows clients to consider future healthcare needs alongside inheritance planning, financial security, and family objectives.

Keeping Family Wealth and Businesses Intact

For some families, an estate includes more than personal property and investment accounts. A closely held business, family real estate, or substantial assets may require additional planning to reduce future complications.

The attorneys advise clients regarding business succession planning, buy-sell agreements, family partnerships, charitable planning, and strategies that address federal gift and estate tax issues. Estate plans can be coordinated with business ownership and tax planning so important decisions are addressed together instead of independently.

Helping Personal Representatives Through Probate

Serving as a personal representative often means managing court filings, creditors, tax matters, asset inventories, and distributions while family members are still coping with the loss of a loved one.

The firm assists fiduciaries throughout the probate process, helping them understand their legal responsibilities and complete the work necessary to settle an estate. Guidance is also available when trusts require administration after a client's death.

When Probate Becomes More Complicated Than Expected

Some estates involve disagreements among beneficiaries, unusual assets, tax issues, or questions regarding the actions of a fiduciary.

Monaghan represents clients in estate-related disputes, including matters involving corporate fiduciaries and estates with complex assets. When litigation becomes necessary, the firm's broader civil practice provides experience that complements its trusts and estates work.

Serving Clients Throughout Michigan

From its office in Troy, Monaghan, P.C. assists clients throughout Michigan with estate planning, probate, trust administration, business succession, Medicaid planning, and estate-related disputes. Its multidisciplinary practice allows families to address legal, financial, and tax considerations within a coordinated estate plan that reflects their individual circumstances.

Practice Areas

• Estate Planning

• Wills

• Living Wills

• Advance Healthcare Directives

• Revocable Trusts

• Irrevocable Trusts

• Living Trusts

• Special Needs Trusts

• Charitable Trusts

• Probate

• Trust Administration

• Medical Powers of Attorney

• Financial Powers of Attorney

• Medicaid Planning

• Asset Protection Planning

• Probate Avoidance Planning

• Business Succession Planning

• Buy-Sell Agreements

• Family Partnerships

• Estate Tax Planning

• Gift Tax Planning

• Estate Litigation