Gowen Elder Law Lawyers

Patrick Dougherty has been helping individuals and their families through legal challenges and the complexities of the legal system for over 24 years. Patrick is licensed to practice all issues of law in the State of Michigan. He is authorized to practice law in all State Courts in Michigan, including all State Circuit Courts; all State District Courts; the Federal Eastern District and Western District Courts; the Bankruptcy Court for the Western and Eastern Districts of Michigan; the Michigan Court of Appeals; and the Michigan Supreme Court. Patrick Dougherty is also authorized to practice law in the 6th Circuit Court...

Matthew Abraham is an entrepreneurial business attorney practicing in Michigan, United States. He has been practicing since 1993 developing a law practice geared toward serving the new business owner and entrepreneur. Matt has counseled on a broad spectrum of imperatives from complex mergers and acquisitions of service, manufacturing and other companies to routine commerce and transactional law matters and business related contracts. He has advised numerous private companies, established businesses and start-ups, developers and users of technology, and both old and new economy businesses. Abraham|Law provides business law services to clients in a broad range of...

Mr. Burrows has probated more estates than any other attorney now practicing in Oceana County. He has also save his client hundreds of thousands of dollars in qualifying clients for Medicaid when faced with nursing home bills. Mr. Burrows is a graduate of Michigan State and Michigans's most prestigious law school, the University of Michigan. He has practiced for over 39 years and he still loves his work. He can also help your with estate planning, tax planning, income tax preparation and appeals of property tax assessments. Mr. Burrows cares deeply about his clients and their problems.

David T. McAndrew, Attorney at Law, PLLC, was licensed in Michigan in 1998 and admitted to practice in Federal Courts. David McAndrew can assist you in stopping the harassment, the late night phone calls, wage garnishments, lawsuits, judgments, and the aggressive debt collection techniques used by many debt collectors. He will work directly with you to determine the best course of action for your individual situation.

David T. McAndrew is a member of the following:
Michigan Bar Association
Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan
Federal Bar Association, Western District of Michigan
National Association of...

Nathan Piwowarski is a shareholder and attorney at McCurdy Wotila & Porteous, a law firm that serves northern lower Michigan. Nathan's practice includes estate planning, small business transactions, and municipal law. Nathan earned his B.A. degree in 2002 from Albion College, Summa Cum Laude. He then worked on the campaign and in the legislative office of State Senator Michelle McManus. As an aide to Senator McManus, Nathan was responsible for policy areas ranging from local economic development to natural resource and environmental quality regulation. Nathan earned his J.D. degree in 2007 from the Michigan State University College of Law,...

I have enjoyed a small town general law practice for my entire career. Advising real estate, business and elderlaw clients presently gives me the most satisfaction in my business; but in a rural community where many different client needs require diligence and ingenuity, I enjoy the daily challenge of helping solve people's problems. As a Christian, I try to ensure that my own integrity and my client's satisfaction are observable at the end of each client encounter.

Aaron Shahan focuses his practice on the areas of probate and trust law. He assists his clients with a broad range of disputes involving probate, trust, and fiduciary matters. Aaron Shahan also helps individuals, couples, and families create estate plans, private foundations and charitable trusts. Prior to forming ATLAS LAW, PLC, Aaron practiced with a premier estate planning and probate litigation firm. He has extensive litigation experience and is proficient in advanced estate planning and asset protection techniques. Aaron is licensed to practice in Michigan, Florida, and Arizona. He is also an accredited attorney with the Veterans Administration. ...

Since 1989, I have been an attorney licensed by the State Bar of Michigan. In my decades of general practice, I have served thousands of clients. Among the first-50 attorneys in Michigan to complete the Family Law Certificate program offered by the Institute for Continuing Legal Education in Ann Arbor, MI, I have completed more than 1000 divorces from start to finish. In addition to family law, I have a robust criminal law practice, representing clients in jury trials and appeals across Michigan. A roster attorney for the Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System for 3-years, I...

Mara Kent (she/her/hers) is a life-long resident of Ann Arbor, Michigan and a licensed attorney since 1996. Mara’s practice areas include estate planning, probate and trust administration, elder law and long-term care planning, special needs planning, estate planning for surrogacy, same-sex adoptions and step-parent adoptions, and prenuptial agreements. Mara loves working with people and making personal connections with her clients, doing what she generally considers to be “happy law.” Mara counsels her clients on how to plan for major life events by anticipating common (and not-so-common) problems before they arise, so her clients can strategize about how to minimize court involvement,...

"Attorney Joe Dallo embarked on a legal career with a profound desire to make a difference in people's lives. His genuine passion lies in not only representing his clients but also in assisting them in charting a course for the future. He firmly believes that his professional services can empower individuals to achieve their life aspirations while mitigating unexpected challenges. However, what truly resonates with Joe in his vocation is safeguarding his clients' most precious elements: their families, homes, assets, and dreams. Joe's unwavering commitment to nurturing dreams for the future led him to establish Dallo Estate Planning. In Joe's own words,...

I am deeply passionate about helping others, a drive that fuels my diverse professional and personal pursuits. My day typically starts early at 4:30 am, whether I'm preparing for my day at the estate planning firm, coaching businesses, or running the gym out of my garage. I began my legal career in workers’ compensation insurance defense, dedicating the majority of my practice to this area until 2010. Around that time, many of my friends started families, sparking my interest in estate planning. This new focus allowed me to assist others in preparing for their future, eventually leading me to expand...

Matthew Ferri, J.D., M.B.A., is a Michigan estate planning attorney. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Life Care Planning Law Firms Association, ElderCounsel, WealthCounsel, the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, the Michigan Forum of Estate Planners, the Italian American Bar Association of Michigan, and the Purposeful Planning Institute. Mr. Ferri holds U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Accreditation. His practice focus and expertise includes: advanced estate planning, Medicaid planning, elder law, special needs planning, Veterans benefits planning, business formation, and business succession planning. He is the author of Keeping Control, a Game Plan to Protect Your...

Matthew J. Tavi is the Principal Attorney of Tavi Law PLC, a leading Michigan law firm proudly serving a select clientele both locally and nationally from its' principal office located in Birmingham, Michigan.

Brandon is passionate about helping individuals, families, and business owners achieve peace of mind by developing and implementing creative cost effective plans tailored for each client. He aims to be his clients' attorney for life, helping to develop strategies that minimize risk, maximize returns on investment, and create legacies that last for generations to come.

Brandon received his undergraduate degree with honors from Michigan State University in History with a concentration in Mandarin Chinese, and his JD from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 2011. While at Case, he focused his studies on Federal income, estate, gift, and generation...

Lawrence J. Buckfire earned his undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Michigan in 1986 and his juris doctor degree from Wayne State University School of Law in 1989. He is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan and the State of Ohio. He was recently named a "Best Personal Injury Lawyer" by a Detroit business magaizne. Lawrence is a highly skilled trial attorney with a reputation for meticulous trial preparation and presentation. Mr. Buckfire has achieved the highest possible rating for ability and integrity in the legal profession. He specializes in child lead paint poisoning, wrongful...

I am the senior partner and shareholder at the firm, focusing my practice on estate planning and succession planning. I counsel individuals and business owners on various aspects of estate and wealth transfer planning. My experience includes sophisticated tax planning techniques such as dynasty trusts, life insurance trust planning, charitable trust planning, family limited partnerships, and limited liability companies. Additionally, I am well-versed in probate, trust administration, and the formation of private foundations. I have been licensed to practice law in Michigan since 1981. My transactional experience is extensive, particularly in the areas of commercial and residential real estate and business...

Law Degree, MBA with honors degree in Management & Accounting & a BS degree in Accounting & Management. Also has college teaching experience in business law, management and accounting.

David is known to be very personable & good listener in working with clients and fulfilling their needs, has exceptional memory/retention/recall skills, outstanding judge/court/apposing council presentation and response skills & presents cases forcefully.

20+ years and 8,000+ cases for individuals & business with many cases before a jury and/or a judge. Strives to reduce & simply your legal issues, reduce stress and protect your rights. We serve...

I have been practicing for over thirty-five years. My practice is limited to specializing in issues concerning disability, estate, probate, long term care, nursing home, Veterans, Medicaid and special needs planning. I am the immediate past President/Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer’s Association - Greater Michigan Chapter (after having served for the last 6 years) and member of the Association's executive committee and an Assembly Delegate to Alzheimer’s Association – National Chapter, Chicago, Illinois. I am also a Member of National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and have been listed since 1991 in...

Phil was admitted to practice law in 1991 and he is now in his 28th year as an attorney. Phil is one of the founding partners of Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz and Associates, P.C. and he focuses his practice in the areas of personal injury, automobile accident claims, no-fault claims also known as personal injury protection benefits, third party automobile negligence claims, slip and fall injuries, motorcycle injuries, trucking accidents and general civil litigation. Phil grew up in St. Clair Shores and Royal Oak and he has been fortunate to return to Macomb County to practice law.

From 1995 to present, Phil...

I am the founder of the Michigan Law Center, P.L.L.C. located in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The practice focuses on elder law, special needs planning, Veteran’s Administration planning and settlement planning, including a national practice establishing Qualified Settlement Funds. I am involved in several national organizations. I am an Advisory Board Member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners (ASNP), served as Chair of the 6th Annual conference, in addition to being a frequent presenter at their annual conferences and webinars. I am also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and I am serving my...

With over three decades of experience in the legal field, I, Kathy L. Henry, focus on probate, family law, and estate planning. Having served as a Public Administrator appointed by judges on contested matters in the Wayne County Probate Court, I have a proven track record in probate administration, litigation, wills and trusts, estate planning, including Medicare spenddown, ladybird deeds, conservatorships, guardianships, power of attorney, and advance directives. I am also a certified mediator in family law and actively participate in esteemed legal organizations. My commitment is to provide resourceful, client-centered representation. Whether you are facing issues related to...

Benjamin Schock is a skilled, experienced elder law attorney who successfully assists seniors in passing their hard earned assets on to their loved ones while allowing them to receive additional benefits that help them offset the cost of long term care.

EDUCATION: Thomas M. Cooley Law School, 2015, Juris Doctor cum laude. Board Member and Solicitation Editor, Thomas M. Cooley Law Review; Student Law Clerk for the Honorable Joseph J. Farah, 7th Circuit Court, Genesee County, Flint, MI LEGAL EXPERIENCE: Attorney and Entrepreneur, Easter Law, PLLC, Port Huron, MI; Attorney, Lakeshore Legal Aid, Port Huron, MI; Law Clerk, State of Michigan, Bureau of Employment Relations, Detroit, MI. ADMISSIONS AND COURTS: Admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan and the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan....

David D. Sprague is the firm's principal partner. His practice includes Business Law, Probate and Estate Planning, Elder Law and Medicaid Planning, Family Law (domestic relations/divorce/prenuptial agreements) and Real Estate Law. David has experience working as an attorney at two nationally recognized law firms: Raymond & Prokop, P.C. and Pepper Hamilton LLP. In addition, David has helped clients to successfully complete applications with the Michigan Minority Business Development Council and has defended claims made by the Business Software Alliance. Prior to practicing law, David had nearly 10 years of experience working in the automotive industry and the field of information technology...

Thomas N. Economy received his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 1996, and his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law in 1999. His practice is devoted to representing seriously injured persons in cases involving no-fault insurance, automobile negligence and premises liability. He has successfully handled numerous important cases before the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court. He is an active member of both the American Association for Justice and Michigan Association for Justice. Email: tom@buckfirelaw.com

One of the founding partners of Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz and Associates, P.C., Jeff focuses his practice in the areas of elder law, estate planning, trust administration, probate administration, and corporate law. Jeff grew up in Sterling Heights and is happy to have returned to Macomb County to practice law.

Prior to establishing Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz & Associates, P.C., Jeff worked with a large regional accounting and business consulting firm, an insurance defense law firm and a business law firm specializing in corporate law, business formation, business consulting and private equity matters. After working with an elder law and estate planning firm...

Located in Troy, Michigan (near Detroit), I am a litigation attorney with an emphasis on probate litigation (will and trust contests, guardianships, beneficiary rights, estate administration, undue influence, fraud, elder abuse and related litigation), as well as commercial litigation, business planning, real estate, and personal injury. I am co-author of Trial & Heirs: Famous Fortune Fights!

Attorney Symantha Heath has practiced law for over 23 years. She earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Law School in 1993 and is licensed to practice in Michigan and U.S. Federal Court. She is a member of the Michigan State Bar Association, Oakland County Bar Association, Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, and Wayne County Family Law Bar Association.

Symantha is a past president of the Wayne County Family Bar Association and was an executive board member for six years. She is also a past County Chairwoman of the WCRC and the Northville Township Trustee. She currently serves on...