Kenneth V Zichi

Helping Livingston County residents navigate the legal system for 30 years. I focus on Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning and Probate, with a significant portion of my practice also concerning Real Estate and general civil litigation. If you have questions or issues with your home, a cabin up north, or want to insure your family is cared for after you are gone, I'd be happy to meet with you, perhaps bust some myths, and certainly insure YOUR and your family's needs are met. Call for an appointment today!

Elder Law

Estate Planning

Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills

Family Law

Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law

Insurance Claims

Bad Faith Insurance, Business Insurance, Disability Insurance, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Motor Vehicle Insurance, Property Insurance

Landlord Tenant

Evictions, Housing Discrimination, Landlord Rights, Rent Control, Tenants' Rights

Real Estate Law

Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law

Divorce

Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce

• Free Consultation
  Telephone [(810) 299-5222] or office conferences, 20 minutes or less. Longer conferences may incur a minimal fee.
• Contingent Fees

Michigan

Since 1986

Owner

Kenneth V . Zichi J.D.

1991 - Current

Mayor

City of Williamston (Michigan)

2000 - 2010

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

J.D.

1983 - 1986

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

A.B. | History / Communications

1977 - 1981

Honors: LS&A Honors College 1977-1979

State Bar of Michigan

Member

1986 - Current

estate and probate section Michigan bar

member

1986 - Current

Law and Media committee - State Bar of Michigan

member

2010 - 2015

Newsroom Seminar, WNEM TV/AM - Saginaw MI

March 15, 2013

State Bar of Michigan - Law & Media committee

An hour-long seminar addressing some of the common practical and substantive difficulties journalists encounter in covering the legal system in Michigan.

Q. My mother recently died and all of her assets either had assigned beneficiaries or were TOD transfers except one stock.

27 July 2021

A: An asset of that value probably cannot be assigned without probate absent pre-planning no matter how you 'agree' upon things. HOWEVER the 'formal probate process' is not as daunting as you might have been lead to believe ... There are many who try to scare people about what probate entails, but frankly, if you find a local attorney to help you through the process, it can be fairly easy to process and can be finished pretty quickly. Seek local representation in the county where your mother resided at the time of her passing, and go from there. For a few hundred dollars you should be able to manage this with a local attorney. -- This answer is offered for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney/client relationship. I am licensed to practice in Michigan only. Please seek competent local legal help if you feel you need legal advice

Q. If easement bridge is destroyed may I as dominant tenement completely rebuild it, at my expense?

23 July 2021

A: It appears as if you're looking for legal representation. This forum is for answering general questions rather than specifics, and the NATURE of the easement matters a great deal so no 'general answer' is going to get you what you want. As for case law, again, you need to hire an attorney, but this is a matter of law that goes back a LONG way. Indeed the 1909 Michigan supreme court case, Moore v White stands for the proposition that the dominant estate’s owner must repair and maintain the easement for its use. The obligations of the servient estate’s owner is not so obvious, but if he doesn't use the easement, it could well be he has no obligation other than to allow the repair. If you're looking for specific legal advice however, I would urge you to consult with a local licensed real estate attorney. This is a VERY complicated fact-dependent situation and you'd be ill advised to just take some random advice off the internet! -- This answer is offered for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney/client relationship. I am licensed to practice in Michigan only. Please seek competent local legal help if you feel you need legal advice

Q. am I able to change the beneficiary on a pre-tax IRA after the account holder has passed. My father lived in NC.

22 July 2021

A: Ms Whitehurst is correct but she fails to explicitly state YOU as a beneficiary cannot ‘change the beneficiary’ at any time and after death NOone can. Disclaimers MAY work, as noted, but there will likely be issues so it is important to get real legal advice before acting. — this answer is offered for information only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Please seek local legal representation if you have further questions. I am licensed to practice in Michigan only.