Merrill Estate Planning Lawyers

Mr. Frazier is a highly skilled attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, Michigan, and Texas. At Frazier Law, a tax resolution and estate planning firm, we are dedicated to providing effective representation and counsel. We aim to simplify the complex rules surrounding death and taxes, eliminating fear, anxiety, and confusion. We help clients understand their estate planning or tax concerns and guide them to solutions and peace of mind. We empower clients with knowledge and clarity, relieving tax debt without exploiting their fears. Our commitment to honesty and professionalism ensures we deliver on our promises with clear communication, providing peace...

I am a dedicated Attorney serving the great state of Michigan from Lansing to Traverse City, and all surrounding areas. I have a strong belief in our rights of life, liberty and freedom, as citizens of this great country, and I will do everything within my power to prevent my client's rights from being abridged. I specialize in the areas of Criminal Defense, Family Law, Personal Injury, No Fault, and civil litigation, but I devote myself to helping anyone in need, no matter the legal significance. I pride myself on providing personalized services and obtaining the best...

Scot focuses on business law, real estate development, employment law, estate planning, probate, and commercial litigation. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan and his J.D., with cum laude honors, from the Notre Dame Law School. While at Notre Dame, Scot was an editor with the Journal of Legislation and clerked for the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in Flint, MI, and the Michigan Supreme Court in Lansing, MI. After graduating from Notre Dame Law School, Scot clerked with the Michigan Court of Appeals in Grand Rapids, MI. In January of...

I graduated from the Detroit College of Law (MSU) in 1990 and was licensed by the State Bar of Michigan that same year. I graduated with honors with a concentration in taxation and was a published author in the nationally esteemed Detroit College Law Review. My practice is devoted exclusively to asset protection, consumer bankruptcy and student loan assistance. My unique approach to clients enables them to actively participate in the process so that you are completely involved in the process and understand exactly what your options are and what option is best for you and your family. ...

I enjoy the interaction with people where I can explain something that may seem complex in a way that helps them understand. As a former teacher, I do enjoy those ah-ha moments where things click. I enjoy talking with clients and getting to know them and their situation, so that I can find the best possible solutions for their needs. I believe that effective estate planning is a critical component of my client’s life planning. I believe that family fights over inheritance are unnecessary and wasteful. Families achieve better outcomes through planning rather than fighting. While it is...

My mission is to assist clients in making informed and educated decisions with no false representation, and to provide realistic expectations for their outcomes. Over the course of the last several years, I have represented thousands of clients, handled multi-million dollar trusts, and provided pro-bono work for select local residents in need.

I've been a lawyer in Lansing since 2005 and live in the area with my wife and two young children. I started Family Wills & Trusts, PLC after deaths in my own family revealed critical short-comings in the way estate plans fall apart, or are never quite put together correctly from the beginning. I pride myself on offering certainty and satisfaction to clients and their families. I usually work with with clients over a period of 5 weeks, addressing each nuance of their estate plan and making sure that when our time working together is through, they leave my...

Mrs. Herson is a 2013 graduate of Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School. During her tenure at Cooley, she was a student attorney in the Sixty Plus Clinic performing over 270 hours of Pro bono service in Estate Planning. She is a current Board member for the Sixty Plus Clinic and continues to advocate for protecting our elderly. In addition to zealously advocating for her clients, Mrs. Herson is an adjunct law and MBA professor for several universities and has co-authored a nonprofit law book.

Benjamin Stoltman focuses on Adult and Minor Guardianships, Wills, Trusts and Estates, Adoptions, Non-Profit Formation, Business Transactions, and Appeals.

Ben graduated magna cum laude from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. While in law school, Benjamin served as a member of Law Review and was the recipient of numerous awards for academic merit, including top marks in civil procedure, military law, and the professional responsibility seminar.

Benjamin was also inducted as a member of the Justice Frank Murphy Honor Society, an honor reserved for students graduating in the top ten percent of their class.

Prior to starting...

Raymond A. Harris is a shareholder with Buhl, Little, Lynwood & Harris, PLC in East Lansing, Michigan. He practices in the areas of estate planning, elder law, probate and trust administration and litigation, guardianships and conservatorships, special needs planning, and Medicaid planning. Raymond is licensed to practice in both Michigan and Florida. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and serves on the board of directors for the Michigan NAELA chapter. Raymond is a frequent speaker and author on topics relating to Medicaid planning, special needs planning, elder law, probate,...

Nicholas Leydorf is a graduate of Michigan State University and The Catholic University of America: Columbus School of Law. Nicholas has extensive experience in all types of criminal defense cases, including high profile criminal cases. He enjoys spending time with his family and has previously served the East Lansing Rotary Club as a board member.

The Law Office of Eric J. Sheppard represents clients in criminal cases and divorce/custody cases, as well as many other areas of law. We fight for our client's rights. We provide diligent representation and give personalized attention to all of our cases. Contact us today at 517-618-1580.

My practice is focused on estate planning, family law, and probate. I assist clients with various matters such as preparing trusts and wills, estate planning administration, guardian and conservatorship, health care directives, divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and prenuptial agreements.

Robert Gavin is the Senior Associate at Shifman & Carlson, P.C. He has been practicing law since 2008, and was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2015, 2018, and 2019. He was also listed by DBusiness Magazine as a Top Lawyer in the Metro Detroit Area for Public Finance Law in both 2014, 2017, and 2018.

Rob brings a wide variety of skills and a diverse background to bear for his clients, including his experience with contract negotiation, employee issues, construction issues. Rob's undergraduate degree is in engineering, which has also been useful to clients during construction issues and in...

Julie A. Gafkay graduated from Michigan State University in 1992 with a dual major in criminal justice and political theory. She graduated from Whittier Law School in 1995 with honors. Her first position was in Flint, Michigan focusing on civil rights and employment discrimination. In 2003, Attorney Gafkay opened her own statewide practice in Frankenmuth, Michigan. The practice's attorneys provide a general practice to the local area providing legal services in Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning, Elder Law, Business Planning, contract review, landlord/tenant issues, real estate, employment issues and other general practice areas. Attorney Gafkay has...

Amir practices Elder Law, Medicaid Planning, VA Planning, Probate, Estate Planning, and Business Transactions. He has an extensive background of helping the elderly through his family-owned Licensed Assisted Living Homes. At Serenity Assisted Living, Amir assisted the elderly in their medical needs. Now, he hopes to help even more elderly in their legal and planning needs.

My practice is focused on business and estate planning. I regularly counsel business clients on operations and legal concerns, including drafting, reviewing, and advising on contractual matters, such as employment, buy-sell, and other corporate related documents. I place a strong emphasis on counseling my clients on risk management strategies ensuring their interests are met. Frequently, I speak to other professionals and professional groups, assisted living centers, hospitals, and government agencies across Michigan on various business, estate planning, and health related topics.

I founded my own firm in 2022 following admittance into the State Bar of Michigan. I graduated from Ferris State University and Western Michigan's Cooley Law School. I have always been passionate about helping others in their time of need, so I chose estate planning as my profession. I am committed to helping clients navigate planning for the future and the uncertainty it brings. Before law school, I was an elder law and estate planning paralegal for over 10 years. My passion for that area of law drove me to become an estate planner to assist clients with all their...

My practice is focused on family law and estate planning. I assist clients with various matters such as divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, prenuptial agreements, civil litigation, preparing trusts, and wills. I have worked on hundreds of family law cases with excellent results for my clients.

I am an attorney licensed to practice in Michigan, Illinois and Minnesota. I primarily practice in bankruptcy, foreclosure, real estate, estate planning and probate.

I reside in Frankenmuth, Michigan, and practice in my Frankenmuth office. I specialize in Elder Law, Estate Planning, Probate and Estate Administration, Business Organizations, Real Estate Law, and I am VA certified. I am a frequent speaker and seminar presenter on estate planning and elder law. My practice in the field of elder law covers Medicaid qualification, estate planning, Guardianship, Conservatorships, and Veterans benefits. I am a member of the Frankenmuth Morning Rotary. I am an active member and have served on the Board of Directors for the Northeastern Michigan Estate Planning Council and the Covenant Health Care Foundation....

Frank Hathaway studied at the University of Detroit-Mercy graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He studied law at Michigan State University College of Law graduating with the degree of Juris Doctor, Cum Laude. Mr. Hathaway is admitted to practice in all Michigan Courts, the United States Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, and the United States Bankruptcy Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan. He is an active member in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan, a former member of its Representative Assembly, a member of the Criminal Law...

Ms. Breen specializes in family law which includes divorce, child custody disputes, child support, spousal support, and prenuptial agreements. She also prepares estate plans which includes the preparation of trusts, wills, powers of attorneys for finance and medical care, and setting up guardianships/conservatorships. Ms. Breen has litigated hundreds of cases and has the experience to represent her clients in court.

My practice focuses on criminal defense including misdemeanors and felonies in both the trial and appellant courts. He has a strong interest in complex constitutional law issues and their applicability in the criminal justice system. I am an active member of the Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System commonly known as the MAACS; an organization responsibly for nearly 84% of all assigned criminal appeals cases in Michigan. My practice also includes a strong emphasis in family and estate law including: parent’s rights, divorce litigation, custody, parenting time, child support, guardianships, estate planning, probate litigation and juvenile matters. I...

George Zulakis has successfully represented clients in criminal and juvenile matters for over 30 years. He is a recognized leader in the field of criminal defense and has been nominated by his peers for Lead Counsel Rating in state felonies and misdemeanors and for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (DUI subspecialty, 2009-2016). Mr. Zulakis has experience in many areas of criminal defense, including DUI/drunk driving, domestic violence, assault, breaking and entering, drug crimes, sex crimes, juvenile delinquency, embezzlement, fraud, shoplifting, MIP/minor in possession, and traffic offenses. For more details on Mr. Zulakis's extensive legal experience, honors, and...

Assistant Attorney General for the State of Michigan since 2011.

T.J. was born and raised in Central Michigan, where he lives with his wife and three children. He is a proud Michigander, who was raised in a blue collar family and taught from the beginning the importance of hard work and giving back to the community. T.J. is a life member of the VFW, Military Order of Purple Heart and sits on the board of directors of a local non-profit organization. Shortly after graduating high school, T.J. enlisted in the Army where he would serve for nearly 11 years, retiring as a Staff Sergeant. Some of the more notable highlights...

With a passion for helping her community, Brandi sought a career that allows her to make a positive impact. Prior to attending law school, she worked alongside probate attorneys for nearly 10 years. She is experienced in guardianships, conservatorships, estates, and trusts. Brandi is a compassionate and dedicated advocate for her clients.

David M. Platt has more than 38 years of experience as an estate planning and business attorney. David concentrates his law practice in the areas of estate planning and administration, probate litigation, pre and post nuptial agreements, real estate and business entity formation. He assists clients in the preparation of wills, trusts, family cottage limited partnerships, as well as providing counsel to minimize income and estate taxes.

David frequently speaks and writes on estate planning and business matters for financial planners, accountants and attorneys, as well as the general public. He is an adjunct professor of law at the Michigan...