About Our Estate Administration Services

Probate is a judicial process by which assets are distributed to a deceased person's heirs and beneficiaries. Probate proceedings are necessary only when a person dies with assets titled solely in his or her name (i.e., without a trust, joint owner, or designated beneficiary). In that case, probate is the only method to transfer such assets to the person's beneficiaries.

Select the button below to review our fees for Core Estate Plans and many other estate planning documents. If you have any questions about fees, please feel free to call our office.

Estate planning is a highly complex area of law, and errors can lead to significant and costly consequences for your loved ones. While DIY options may seem simple and affordable, they often fail to provide the personalization and legal protection needed for most situations. Professional estate planning provides personalized, legally sound strategies that can save your family time, money, and stress in the long run.

These are just a few of the reasons to choose us for your estate planning attorneys:

• Depth of Experience:  EPLG has been providing estate planning services since 1994.  Since that time, we have assisted thousands of people with estate planning and estate administration. Attorneys John Tamboer, Sandy O'Brien, and Michelle Lupanoff have personally advised and represented thousands of clients on a variety of legal matters. We will apply all of our experience to your estate plan.  
  

• Proven Integrity:   We value the relationship with each of our clients, and it is common for us to have served serve multiple generations in the same family.  Many accountants, financial advisors, and other professionals have also relied on us for many years to provide clear and objective guidance for their clients.  These long term relationships are proof that we always put our clients first.
  

• Excellent Value:  We continually work on our systems and processes to improve the quality of services while keeping costs low for our clients.  The use of do-it-yourself forms has lead to disastrous consequences for many people.  We can speak from years of experience when we tell our clients that estate planning is too complex to go it alone.  As a result, we strive to make our services affordable. 
  

• Constant Research:  We provide documents and services that you will not find anywhere else. In fact, most estate planning attorneys use forms that they have purchased from a software company. These documents are usually created by non-attorneys who are not familiar with the nuances of Michigan law. For this reason, we spend countless hours to research and draft proprietary documents that are easy to understand, and comply specifically with Michigan law.  Our research and revisions never cease as the law changes.  
  

• Singular Focus: We are dedicated to the practice of law as it relates to all aspects of estate planning and estate administration.  Our focus allows us to adjust quickly to new statutes, rules, and regulations.  We do not handle matters in any other area of law.  As a result, we constantly update and improve our processes to ensure that we are providing the best services possible.
  

• Personal Service:  Our small size means that we provide you with personal attention.  Once you retain us, we want you to be a client for life.
  

These are the steps to complete your documents at our office:

1. Schedule a consultation at our office in Grand Rapids or Northville.
   
2. Complete an estate planning worksheet on this website.
   
3. Meet with an attorney to discuss your estate plan.
   
4. Review your documents at home by using our online portal.
   
5. Sign your documents at our office. 
   
6. Follow our instructions to implement your plan. 
   

This process can be completed as quickly as you need, but it typically takes 2-4 weeks. 

We understand that it can be inconvenient for some people to complete their estate plan with a local attorney. That is why we've made it possible to assist you at home by video conference. If you choose this method, you will receive the same personal attention and guidance that you would expect by meeting with us in person.

These are the steps to complete your documents by video conference:

1. Schedule a video consultation.
   
2. Complete an estate planning worksheet on this website.
   
3. Discuss your estate plan with an attorney by video conference.
   
4. Review your documents in our online client portal.
   
5. Sign your documents in the presence of our notaries by video conference. 
   
6. Follow our instructions to implement your plan.  

This process can be completed as quickly as you need, but it typically takes 2-4 weeks.