Suzanne R. Fanning Probate & Estate Law

Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Attorney in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Many people first contact an estate planning attorney because they want to prepare a will or trust. Others don't begin looking for legal help until after the death of a loved one, when they're suddenly responsible for administering an estate, serving as a trustee, or navigating disagreements among family members. Those situations often raise questions that few people have faced before.

Suzanne R. Fanning helps individuals and families with both proactive estate planning and the legal responsibilities that follow a death. Her practice includes estate planning, probate administration, trust administration, probate litigation, guardianships, conservatorships, and related fiduciary matters. Whether you're planning for the future or trying to resolve a complicated estate today, the firm's focus is on helping clients understand their responsibilities and move forward with confidence.

Planning Ahead to Protect Your Family

A thoughtfully prepared estate plan can do much more than determine who receives your assets. It can help reduce confusion, minimize future disputes, provide clear instructions for loved ones, and ensure that trusted individuals are able to make financial and healthcare decisions if you become unable to do so.

Suzanne Fanning works with clients to develop estate plans that reflect their family circumstances, financial goals, and long-term wishes. Depending on a client's needs, planning may include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, trust funding, beneficiary designation coordination, and planning for blended families, minor children, family businesses, or beneficiaries with special needs. The emphasis is on creating a plan that fits the client's life rather than relying on standard documents.

Helping Families Through Probate

For many families, probate begins at one of the most difficult times in their lives.

Personal representatives are often responsible for opening an estate, identifying and valuing assets, notifying creditors, paying legitimate claims, distributing property, and completing the legal process required by the probate court. Families frequently have questions about what comes next and whether they are fulfilling their responsibilities correctly.

Probate is one of the firm's primary areas of practice. Suzanne Fanning assists clients throughout estate administration, helping personal representatives understand each stage of the process while working to resolve estates as efficiently as possible. Her website also provides extensive educational resources explaining common probate questions, timelines, and responsibilities under Michigan law.

Trust Administration and Fiduciary Guidance

Serving as a trustee carries significant legal responsibilities that many people have never encountered before.

The firm advises trustees through the administration process, helping them interpret trust documents, manage trust assets, fulfill fiduciary duties, and distribute property according to the trust's terms. Suzanne Fanning also offers professional fiduciary services in appropriate situations, providing an option when family members are unable to serve or when disagreements make an independent fiduciary beneficial. That aspect of the practice is relatively uncommon and may be valuable for families facing particularly sensitive circumstances.

Resolving Probate Disputes

Not every estate proceeds smoothly.

Questions about the validity of a will, disagreements among beneficiaries, allegations of undue influence, breaches of fiduciary duty, or concerns about financial exploitation can lead to contested probate proceedings. Suzanne Fanning represents clients in probate litigation and trust disputes while also offering probate mediation when families may be able to resolve conflicts without extended courtroom proceedings.

The firm's educational resources devote considerable attention to these issues, helping families understand both the legal process and the practical realities of resolving inheritance disputes.

Protecting Vulnerable Individuals

Some legal matters involve protecting people who can no longer manage their own personal or financial affairs.

Suzanne Fanning assists clients with guardianships and conservatorships when court intervention becomes necessary. The practice also addresses situations involving financial exploitation of older adults and allegations of undue influence, helping families protect vulnerable individuals while working through the legal process established by Michigan probate courts.

Serving Ann Arbor and Southeast Michigan

From her Ann Arbor office, Suzanne R. Fanning serves individuals and families throughout Washtenaw County and surrounding communities. Whether you're creating an estate plan, administering a loved one's estate, serving as a trustee, or facing a contested probate matter, the firm's practice is devoted to helping clients understand the legal process and protect the interests of the people they care about.

Practice Areas

• Estate Planning

• Wills

• Trusts

• Trust Funding

• Probate Administration

• Estate Administration

• Trust Administration

• Probate Litigation

• Probate Mediation

• Trust & Will Contests

• Guardianships

• Conservatorships

• Fiduciary Services

• Financial Powers of Attorney

• Healthcare Directives

• HIPAA Authorizations

• Special Needs Planning

• Charitable Trusts

• Family Business Succession Planning