A Grand Rapids Trusts and Estates Law Firm Helping You Plan

You work hard for your family, so knowing that you have planned for its long-term well-being and financial security can bring you comfort. Attorney Jeffrey R. Portko, Esq. at Advocate Law Offices has been handling all aspects of trusts and estates issues for clients throughout Michigan for more than 30 years. Whether planning the care or support of your family upon your death or guiding you through the probate process as you mourn the loss of a loved one, Jeffrey can help you with:

• Will drafting
• Estate planning
• Estate tax issues
• Protection of assets
• Guardianship
• Trusts

• Living trusts
• Living wills
• Estate administration
• Executorship duties
• Probate
• Probate and will disputes

Estate planning

Jeffrey advises you on the best approach to your estate planning. He thoroughly analyzes your estate and strategizes the best means of transferring your assets, minimizing taxes, establishing guardianship for your children, caring for your pets, supporting personal philanthropic causes and protecting your family. He drafts a will that reflects your desires and establishes a living trust if it advances your individual needs and your estate planning goals.

Probate

The process of probate typically accompanies a situation involving painful emotional loss. Having a knowledgeable, meticulous probate attorney by your side can ease the stress of probating the estate. Jeffrey assists executors in all steps of the complex process of probating a will in Michigan probate courts, including:

• Creating a plan of action to probate the estate fairly and expeditiously
• Filing the will with the appropriate Michigan county probate court
• Closing and opening bank accounts
• Transferring assets from the deceased to the estate
• Paying taxes and other debts
• Locating beneficiaries
• Hiring professionals and experts when necessary

Probate disputes

The stress of a probate dispute can compound the pain of losing a loved one. When disputes arise, Jeffrey's composed courtroom demeanor can calm the emotionally charged process of challenging an invalid will or defending a valid will against erroneous claims made by unhappy beneficiaries. If you choose to preserve amiable family relationships, Jeffrey can skillfully mediate disputes to reach just, equitable resolutions. When necessary, he assertively defends your beneficiary rights within the Michigan probate courts.

Contact an experienced Michigan trusts and estates lawyer

Advocate Law Offices is located in Grand Rapids, MI and represents clients throughout Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Grand Haven, Big Rapids and Holland.

Call Advocate Law Offices at 616-773-2713 or contact the law firm online to schedule your free consultation.