Wood, Kull, Herschfus, Obee & Kull

Estate Planning, Elder Law & Probate Attorneys in Farmington Hills, Michigan

Most families don't begin thinking about estate planning until something changes. A parent may receive a diagnosis that makes independent living difficult. A surviving spouse may suddenly be responsible for finances that were always handled by someone else. Adult children may find themselves trying to determine whether they can help an aging parent manage medical care, pay bills, or remain safely at home. 

Wood, Kull, Herschfus, Obee & Kull assists clients with estate planning, elder law, trust administration, probate, and related legal matters that help families prepare for these transitions before—or after—they occur.

Because the firm's practice extends beyond drafting estate planning documents, it also assists families as plans are put into effect, trusts are administered, estates are settled, and legal disputes arise during the administration process.

Preparing Before a Health Crisis Changes Everything

Many people postpone estate planning until retirement or later, assuming there will always be time to make decisions. Unfortunately, illness or an unexpected accident can leave a family scrambling to determine who has authority to make financial and healthcare decisions.

The firm helps clients prepare wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, and patient advocate designations that allow trusted family members or friends to step in if someone becomes unable to manage personal affairs. Making these decisions ahead of time can reduce uncertainty during an already stressful period while allowing individuals to choose who will act on their behalf.

When Long-Term Care Becomes Part of the Conversation

A lengthy stay in a nursing home or assisted living facility can affect not only the person receiving care but also a spouse who continues living independently. Families often have questions about paying for care, preserving financial stability, and understanding what options may be available before savings are significantly affected.

Wood, Kull, Herschfus, Obee & Kull assists clients with Medicaid and long-term care planning as part of its elder law practice. By planning before immediate care becomes necessary, families can better understand the legal and financial decisions that often accompany extended healthcare needs while considering how those decisions may affect both spouses and future estate plans.

Taking Over as Trustee After the Loss of a Loved One

Many people agree to serve as a successor trustee without fully understanding what the role will involve. Only after a parent or spouse dies do they discover that they are responsible for gathering trust assets, working with financial institutions, paying expenses, communicating with beneficiaries, and eventually distributing trust property.

Trust administration is an important part of the firm's practice. The firm assists successor trustees in understanding their legal responsibilities, carrying out the terms of the trust, and addressing the practical issues that arise throughout the administration process. This guidance can be especially valuable for individuals who have never served as a trustee before.

Helping Families Navigate Probate

Settling an estate involves more than distributing property. Personal representatives may need to locate assets, notify interested parties, address creditor claims, prepare court filings, file tax documents, and ensure that the estate is administered according to Michigan law.

Some estates require formal probate proceedings, while others may qualify for simplified procedures depending on the circumstances. Wood, Kull, Herschfus, Obee & Kull assists families throughout the probate process, helping personal representatives understand what is required at each stage while working toward an orderly administration of the estate.

Planning for Families with Unique Needs

Not every estate plan fits a standard model. Some families are caring for a child with disabilities who may rely on public assistance programs throughout adulthood. Others wish to incorporate charitable giving into their estate plan or address religious considerations when preparing testamentary documents.

The firm's practice includes planning for these and other specialized situations through a variety of estate planning tools designed to reflect a family's particular circumstances. Rather than relying on identical documents for every client, planning can be adapted to address the issues that matter most to the individuals involved.

When an Estate Includes Real Estate or a Family Business

A family's most valuable asset is often its home, rental property, or closely held business. After an owner's death, questions frequently arise about who has authority to manage or sell the property, whether ownership interests should be transferred, and how those assets fit within the broader estate administration process.

Because the firm's practice also includes real estate and business law, estate planning can be coordinated with legal issues involving property ownership, business entities, and related transactions. This allows families to address complex assets as part of an overall estate plan rather than treating them as separate legal matters.

Resolving Disagreements Before They Divide a Family

Even carefully prepared estate plans cannot eliminate every disagreement. Family members may question the validity of a will, disagree about the administration of a trust, challenge decisions made by a fiduciary, or dispute the distribution of estate assets.

When conflicts arise, the firm represents clients in probate and trust litigation involving estates, fiduciary responsibilities, and related disputes. While many matters can be resolved without prolonged litigation, legal representation may become necessary when disagreements prevent an estate or trust from moving forward.

Serving Families from Farmington Hills

Wood, Kull, Herschfus, Obee & Kull serves clients from its Farmington Hills office and assists individuals and families throughout southeastern Michigan. The firm's estate planning, elder law, probate, and trust administration practice is supported by additional experience in real estate and business law, allowing it to assist families whose legal needs extend beyond traditional estate planning documents.

Practice Areas

• Estate Planning

• Elder Law

• Wills

• Trusts

• Trust Administration

• Probate Administration

• Estate Administration

• Medicaid Planning

• Long-Term Care Planning

• Durable Powers of Attorney

• Patient Advocate Designations

• Guardianships

• Conservatorships

• Special Needs Trusts

• Probate Litigation

• Trust Litigation

• Real Estate Matters Related to Estates

• Business Planning Related to Estates