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Specializing in Estate Planning Services

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Protect Your Family’s Future With A Comprehensive Estate Plan

Are your affairs in order if something happens to you? Whether we like to think of it or not, having an estate plan in place for our loved ones is one of the best gifts we can give. At the Grosse Pointe Farms office of Bruce R. Nichols Attorney at Law, I can help you organize and document the numerous details needed to create a thorough estate plan that’s aligned with your financial intentions. With over 40 years of estate administration experience, I am vastly experienced with all aspects of estate planning and administration and can make this process go smoothly.

Developing A Thorough Estate Plan

Whether you require a new estate plan, need revisions to a current estate plan or want to address issues of the probate process of a loved one, I can advise you with helpful strategies and legitimate solutions. A comprehensive estate plan can include a:

  • Will
  • Trust
  • Health care directive
  • Power of attorney
  • Conservatorship/guardianship
  • Medicaid/Medicare planning
  • Nursing home strategy
  • Probate guidance

I will work closely with you to address concerns and protect your family’s future.

Resolving Estate And Probate Disputes

I serve to quell stressful estate disputes among family members and, if needed, can use my positive mediation process. I have helped numerous clients find solutions and retain family relationships amidst disagreements. If you are an executor of an estate, I can smoothly guide you through all aspects of the probate process after a loved one dies.

Plan For Your Estate Now

No one wants to think about what will happen after they die, but planning now can help avoid disagreements among loved ones and ensure your wishes are legally documented. Schedule a Michigan estate plan consultation by calling (313) 254-3911, or send me a request through this convenient email form. You can depend on me for intelligent legal options that best fit your estate planning needs.

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Experience Matters In Real Estate Law

Real estate transactions are usually quite complicated. Backed by more than 40 years of industry experience, I provide assistance with virtually all real estate matters. My areas of expertise include buying, selling, leasing, constructing and developing property.

Chances are good that whatever kind of real estate deal you are interested in moving forward with, I have already done something like it. Use my experience to your advantage! Though I tend to maintain an optimistic approach on real estate deals, I’m also realistic. Sometimes my best advice is not to seal the deal. Call me today to schedule an appointment and learn how I can assist you.

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Business Law And Contracts

Whether you are starting a new business or have an ongoing business, I can assist you. I handle all types of legal matters faced by business owners, including:

  • Choosing the best legal form for your business
  • Forming and dissolving corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies
  • Obtaining necessary licenses and permits
  • Contract writing and review (including shareholder agreements and sale of business agreements)
  • Real estate acquisitions, financing and divestiture
  • Avoiding traps and sloppy documentation

Business managers cannot be expected to know all of the legal obstacles in the path to higher profits. My background in tax law and accounting allows me to understand the problems of businesses. In short, I can keep an eye out for legal hurdles while you keep focused on running a tight operation and increasing your bottom line.

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Why Mediation?

It is normal procedure for judges to eventually refer a case before them to “alternative dispute resolution” or “facilitation.” What the judges are really doing is sending the matter to be mediated. Often, the case has been going on for years. Attorney fees are enormous by that time. The parties are frazzled and frustrated. So why not just start with the mediation process and avoid all that expense and frustration? You will likely end up mediating anyway.

The Many Advantages Of Legal Mediation

Mediation presents advantages over going to court in virtually all types of civil cases. The real savings is in cost and time. The result is lower legal fees and less time spent by litigants dealing with the case. If mediation is sought before a case is brought to court, privacy of all of the parties can be maintained.

There are also many emotional advantages as well, including the maintenance of business or personal relationships. Everyone has the chance to be heard in a less emotionally charged atmosphere. This leads to a better chance that the agreement the parties reach will be adhered to. Everyone involved will have an active part in coming up with the solution. All parties will have a real interest in keeping the settlement agreement alive.

Price List for Estate Planning Documents

I offer most estate planning services on a flat-fee basis. See the downloadable schedule with prices that cover the drafting and signing of the initial document listed. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Complete Estate Plan Fees (Includes Medical and Financial Powers of Attorney)

Simple Will Plan with Medical and Financial Power of Attorney (Individual) $675

  • A Basic Will
  • Durable Powers of Attorney
  • Health Care Directive/Living Will
  • Basic Wills leave your entire estate to one or more persons, and do not include specific bequests (except for general bequests of tangible personal property), provisions for minor children, or any trust provisions. Financial and medical powers of attorney allow the person(s) you name to manage your financial affairs and make medical decisions for you in the event of incapacity.  This is a traditional though excellent estate plan for many family situations.

Simple Will Plan (Couple) $875

  • Mirror Image Will
  • Durable Powers of Attorney
  • Health Care Directives/Living Wills
  • Basic Wills leave your entire estate to one or more persons, and do not include specific bequests (except for general bequests of tangible personal property), provisions for minor children, or any trust provisions. Financial and medical powers of attorney allow the person(s) you name to manage your financial affairs and make medical decisions for you in the event of incapacity.  This is a traditional though excellent estate plan for many family situations.

Will Plan with Testamentary Trust for Single Person $850

  • A Will with a trust provision for children and/or grandchildren
  • Durable Power of Attorney
  • Health Care Directive/Living Will
  • The Family Will Plan is for families with minor children as well as for parents who wish to leave assets to their adult children in trust until they reach specified ages or other milestones.  Combined with term life insurance, this is often the preferred estate plan for young families.  This option provides an excellent estate plan to provide for minor children in the catastrophic event of the death of both parents.

Will Plan with Testamentary Trust for Couple $950

  • Mirror Image Will
  • Durable Powers of Attorney
  • Health Care Directives/Living Wills
  • The Family Will Plan is for families with minor children as well as for parents who wish to leave assets to their adult children in trust until they reach specified ages or other milestones.  Combined with term life insurance, this is often the preferred estate plan for young families.  This option provides an excellent estate plan to provide for minor children in the catastrophic event of the death of both parents.
Other Flat Fee Items
Joint Trust, Wills, Financial and Medial Power of Attorney for a Married couple $2250
Enhanced Life Estate Deed (a/k/a “Ladybird Deed”) $450
Other Deeds $225 + Recording Fee
Durable Power of Attorney Only (Single) $250
Durable Powers of Attorney Only (Couple) $350
Health Care Directives/Living Wills Only (Single) $150
Health Care Directives/Living Wills Only (Couple) $250
Reviews of Existing Estate Planning Documents $350
Out-of-State and/or by Another Attorney Hourly Rate $300/hr.
Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements Hourly Rate $300/hr.