Put A Top-Notch Attorney On Your Side

Estate Planning For All Stages Of Life

Estate planning is more than just planning for the end of your life. It can help protect your property and family during your lifetime. Regardless of your age, your family status, or the size of your estate, you should plan for the future to protect end-of-life medical wishes, eliminate the probate process, avoid tax burdens, and simplify property distribution.

At Tibble Law Office, P.C., I want to help you create a personalized plan that meets your needs and provides protection for both you and your loved ones. My name is Gary Tibble, and I have over three decades of experience in estate planning and Michigan probate law, helping residents of southwest Michigan ensure that their final wishes are granted. If you’re looking to create a plan for your future, reach out for a phone consultation today. I proudly serve those in Kalamazoo, Portage, Battle Creek, Plainwell and Vicksburg.

Do You Need A Will Or Trust?

Choosing to create a will or set up trusts depends on your unique goals. I will strive to understand exactly what you hope to achieve as you build your estate plan. Once I get to know your needs, I will guide you through the process and help you create a tailor-made road map for the future of your assets. When it comes to determining if a will or a trust is right for you, it’s important to understand several key differences between these two documents:

  • Privacy: A will is a public document, while a trust is private and not accessible through probate court.
  • Distribution: A trust can restrict the dates of the distribution of assets, since it may not be a good idea to give an 18-year-old a large amount of money, which could happen with a will.
  • Probate court: Willed assets of the deceased often require a probate court filing, however, trust assets do not.
  • Minor children: A will, unlike a trust, can state your preference for the proper guardian for your minor children.
  • Real estate issues: The sale of real estate inside of a trust requires trust certification.

While determining whether a will or a trust is right for your circumstances, it’s important to discuss other matters as well, like patient advocate designation and power of attorney.

Consider Designating A Patient Advocate

In the state of Michigan, you can choose a person to make decisions regarding your care, custody and medical treatment on your behalf if you become incapable of doing so. This person becomes your designated patient advocate. Completing this legal document can give you peace of mind that, should you lose the ability to advocate for your well-being, someone you trust will have the right to speak for you.

The Importance Of Power Of Attorney

I can also provide legal guidance regarding your selection of a power of attorney. By appointing a family member or trusted individual to make vital medical and financial decisions on your behalf, you can seek to avoid a costly and lengthy probate court process.

Don’t Navigate Probate Alone

I aim to create a smoother probate process for my clients by helping them build comprehensive estate plans in advance. However, if you find yourself facing this complex process with very little guidance from a loved one’s wills, trusts, or other legal documents, let us help you get through probate with as few frustrations as possible. You deserve to be able to focus on grieving and moving forward during this difficult time. I will strive to take the weight off your shoulders and provide the experienced, compassionate representation you need.

Get Started Today

Don’t wait to gain peace of mind that your assets will be distributed according to your wishes once you’ve passed. Allow me to put my decades of experience in estate planning and probate to work for you. I assist individuals in Kalamazoo, Portage, Battle Creek, Plainwell, Vicksburg, and southwest Michigan. Planning for the future today can make the probate process easier for your loved ones later on. Reach out to my firm, Tibble Law Office, P.C., to speak with me, attorney Gary Tibble, about creating wills, setting up trusts, designating powers of attorney and patient advocates, and more in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Call me at 269-775-5145.