The Law Offices of Shifman & Carlson

Estate Planning & Probate Attorneys in Farmington Hills, Michigan

Estate planning is often prompted by a significant life event. Parents may want to provide for young children, a business owner may begin thinking about retirement, or an adult child may step in to help an aging parent whose health has begun to decline. At other times, planning follows the loss of a family member, leaving someone responsible for administering an estate for the first time. Shifman & Carlson assists individuals, families, business owners, and fiduciaries with estate planning, probate, trusts, and related legal matters that help prepare for these transitions. 

The firm's estate planning practice is closely connected to its work in business law and real estate. As a result, estate plans frequently address more than personal property alone. They may also involve family businesses, investment properties, closely held corporations, or other assets that require thoughtful planning to transfer efficiently to the next generation. 

Planning for the Future Before Circumstances Change

Many people delay estate planning because they believe it is only necessary later in life. In reality, unexpected illness or temporary incapacity can affect adults of any age. Without proper planning, family members may need to ask a court for authority to manage finances or make important decisions on behalf of a loved one.

Shifman & Carlson assists clients with preparing wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, and other planning documents that allow individuals to choose who will handle their financial affairs if they become unable to do so themselves. Taking these steps in advance allows clients—not the courts—to decide who will act on their behalf and under what circumstances.

Helping Business Owners Plan Beyond Retirement

For many families, the largest asset is not a home or investment account but a closely held business built over decades. Without advance planning, ownership transitions can become complicated following retirement, disability, or death.

The firm's practice includes business succession planning for owners who want to prepare for the future of their companies while also considering the needs of family members, business partners, and employees. Some clients wish to transfer ownership to the next generation, while others anticipate selling the business as part of their estate. Addressing these questions before they become urgent can help reduce uncertainty for everyone involved. 

Protecting Real Estate for the Next Generation

Real estate often carries both financial and emotional significance. A family home, lake cottage, rental property, or commercial building may represent years of investment as well as family history.

Because the firm also maintains an active real estate practice, estate planning can incorporate strategies for transferring property while addressing title issues, ownership interests, and other legal considerations that may arise. Coordinating estate planning with real estate matters can simplify future administration and help families avoid unnecessary complications when property changes hands.

Guiding Personal Representatives Through Probate

Administering an estate is a responsibility that many people never expect to assume. Personal representatives must often locate assets, communicate with beneficiaries, satisfy creditors, prepare court filings, and carry out the instructions contained in a will or trust.

Shifman & Carlson assists fiduciaries throughout the probate process, helping them understand the legal responsibilities that accompany estate administration. Probate matters may range from relatively straightforward estates to more complex administrations involving business interests, real estate, creditor claims, or questions concerning the interpretation of estate planning documents.

Resolving Disputes When Families Disagree

Even carefully prepared estate plans do not always prevent disagreements after someone passes away. Questions may arise regarding the validity of a will, the meaning of particular provisions, the conduct of a personal representative or trustee, or whether undue influence affected estate planning decisions.

The firm's probate litigation practice includes representing clients in disputes involving wills, trusts, fiduciary responsibilities, diminished capacity, fraud, and other contested probate matters. While many disagreements can be resolved through negotiation or mediation, some require formal court proceedings to reach a resolution.

An Estate Plan That Reflects Changing Priorities

Estate planning is rarely completed once and forgotten. Marriage, divorce, retirement, the purchase of additional property, the birth of grandchildren, or changes in financial circumstances may all justify revisiting an existing plan.

Whether a client needs a straightforward will or a more comprehensive trust-based estate plan, the objective is to ensure that legal documents continue to reflect current goals while helping reduce unnecessary expense and administrative burdens for future beneficiaries. Periodic review allows estate plans to evolve alongside the people they are intended to protect.

Serving Families from Farmington Hills

Shifman & Carlson serves clients from its Farmington Hills office and represents individuals and families throughout Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb Counties. In addition to estate planning and probate, the firm's broader practice in business law and real estate allows it to assist clients whose estate plans involve closely held businesses, investment property, or other assets that benefit from coordinated legal planning.

Practice Areas

• Estate Planning

• Wills

• Trusts

• Probate Administration

• Estate Administration

• Probate Litigation

• Trust Administration

• Durable Powers of Attorney

• Business Succession Planning

• Real Estate Planning

• Fiduciary Representation

• Will Contests

• Trust Disputes