Merritt Estate Planning Lawyers

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...

Coming from a working class family, I worked numerous jobs on my way to become an attorney.

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...

I am rated AV by Martindale Hubbell. I completed my Certificate of Completion for the Probate and Estate Planning Certificate Program in Michigan in 2010. I practiced in the area of insurance defense litigation from 1989 through 2012. I have tried over 60 civil jury cases. My practice now focuses on estate planning, probate, and trust administration.

I live in Northern Michigan, married with two adult children and a dog. I play guitar in 3 different rock n roll cover bands. I also attempt to sing...

Lea Ann Sterling has been a member of the Michigan Bar since 1998. Admitted to the bar in Ohio in 1981, Mrs. Sterling practiced law in Columbus. In 1997, she began a sabbatical to write, travel, and relocate from Ohio to Michigan. Her first book, Historic Homes of Olde Towne, was released in 1999 and won the Ohio Historical Society’s Public Education and Awareness Award. Historic Cottages of Mackinac Island, released in 2001, was listed on the Michigan Governor’s List of Best Books of 2001. In March 1999, Mrs. Sterling was appointed Village of Empire Zoning Administrator where she was...

Jon Tomaso has years of experience as an attorney, practicing in the areas of family law and criminal law. Along with his associates at Sterling Law and ADAM (American Divorce Association for Men), the attorneys seek for their clients dignity and fairness and for all they seek social justice in a biased system. Sterling Law attorneys care for their clients by totally dedicating themselves to their cases, by giving guidance and answering questions in a timely effective way, and by being well-prepared in court. They take their clients' cases to heart and pursue their goals with the talent and...

Waltman Law PLLC is centrally located in northern lower Michigan in the city of Gaylord. The primary areas of practice are Bankruptcy and Real Estate Transactions. I am also trained as an eldercaring coordinator and as a mediator in General Civil, Domestic Relations, Child Protection, Behavioral Health, and Elder matters.

Zach Backlund works in our Gaylord, Michigan branch office and has handled numerous family law, estate plan, and real estate cases over the past several years in many counties in northern Michigan. He previously practiced law in the Traverse City, Michigan area, working on a variety of cases involving both transactional and litigated matters. Before becoming an attorney, Zach Backlund worked as a landman (2014-2016), taught English as a second language (2006), and also served as an AmeriCorps Corps Member (2005-2007).

Sterling Law practices in the areas of Family Law, Immigration, Estate Planning, Probate, Civil Litigation, Real Estate, and Business...

Elizabeth graduated from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2020. While there, she was an Executive Article Editor for the Chicago-Kent Journal of Intellectual Property, interned in the legal departments of a national trade organization and Illinois’ top children’s hospital, and worked at law firms that focused on civil litigation and transportation law. Prior to law school Elizabeth earned degrees in Biochemistry and Biology from Ferris State University, where she participated in the biochemistry research lab and was president of the school’s chapter of the American Chemical Society. After graduating, Elizabeth relocated to Traverse City and began her career as judicial assistant...

Practice Areas: Immigration Law, Social Security Disability, Family Law, Estate Planning Admissions: Michigan, 2004 U.S. District Court, Eastern District, 2005 U.S. District Court, Western District, 2005 Law School: Wayne State University, J.D., 2004 Utrecht University, The Netherlands, exchange student, 2003 College: Eastern Michigan University, B.A., cum laude, 1998 La Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, México, exchange student, 1998

Janet M. Mistele, J.D. is a member of the State Bar of Michigan (1989), the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan (1991), and the North Carolina State Bar (2003). Ms. Mistele earned her Juris Doctor degree, Magna Cum Laude, from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where she was a member of the National Trial Team, and earned American Jurisprudence Awards for top honors in seven of her law school courses. Upon graduation from law school in 1989, Ms. Mistele accepted a position with the Michigan Court of Appeals in Lansing, Michigan as a Prehearing Attorney,...

Paul Jarboe is an experienced and dedicated trial attorney with over 30 years of legal experience. Mr. Jarboe graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1982. Mr. Jarboe is a former prosecuting attorney, and has an extensive background in the areas of divorce, child custody, criminal defense and civil litigation, which includes State and Federal Criminal cases. Mr. Jarboe’s practice includes: Criminal Defense, Family Law, Personal Injury & Estate Planning.

Dane Carey primarily represents businesses and individuals in litigation and legal disputes. Dane’s practice focuses on general civil litigation, commercial litigation, property litigation, shareholder and employment disputes, and real estate and water (riparian) law. He has significant experience in matters involving businesses, property, civil rights claims, and other complex civil matters. He represents clients throughout Michigan and in state and federal courts, as well as in the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and U.S. Supreme Court.

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...

Mr. Geht is an attorney with extensive public and private sector experience. After clerking for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Mr. Geht joined a top law firm in Washington, D.C., where his practice included accountant malpractice litigation, environmental litigation, and labor and employment law. Until he moved to Traverse City in October of 2012, Mr. Geht served for five years as a Trial Attorney with the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. He received several awards from the Department of Justice and from the Internal Revenue Service for his...

Jennifer Duitsman Coy graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science, and received her law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She has been practicing law since early 2011. Her practice areas include estate planning, probate, real estate, and family law. Jennifer is also a trained mediator and volunteers with the 46th Circuit’s Legal Aid Divorce Clinic.

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,...

Todd Bailey is a general practitioner who represents individuals and businesses with their legal needs. While Todd is physically located in Traverse City, he has clients in other areas of Northern Michigan, the State of Michigan, and other states in the country who have legal needs in Michigan. In addition, Todd's practice in Maritime law may also involve his involvement in federal courts throughout the country. Todd is able to represent clients who are located outside the Traverse City area due to his availability by telephone, fax, mail, and email.

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...

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...

When people come to me, they are facing a situation they aren’t sure how to deal with. They have questions and are looking for answers. I look at the situation and figure out how I can help. And when they hire me, I get to work! In short, I help people solve problems. Helping someone with too much debt is different than helping someone whose parent just passed away. It is different from helping someone get a divorce. Sometimes I help by preparing documents in my office. Other times it means a lawsuit. It could mean taking a case to trial. It could...

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...

Robert Banner has 28 years experience serving clients in Northern Michigan. Areas of expertise include, but are not limited to, Divorce, Child Custody, Parenting Time, Drunk Driving, Estate Planning including drafting Wills and Trusts. We serve clients in Boyne City, Charlevoix, Petoskey, Boyne Falls, Bellaire, Central Lake and Gaylord. Mr. Banner was appointed by the Attorney General's Office in April 2018, as Public Administrator for Charlevoix County, Michigan.

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...

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...

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

We opened our office in Manistee, Michigan in 1995 and have been providing excellent, affordable legal services ever since. We have experienced a variety of challenges that have assisted us in developing a law practice that is particularly suited for the needs and desires of Manistee residents and visitors. We offer free initial consultations for criminal matters and personal injury cases, we only charge $100 for initial consultations for all other matters. Admitted to Practice in the State of Michigan in 1995 and Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Tribal Court in 2004. If you...

The Mortimer Law Firm and their experienced team of attorneys and paralegals are skilled in, Social Security Disability, Bankruptcy, Driver’s License Restoration, Criminal Law, Student Loan Repayment consulting, and Estate Planning. For over 30 years, the Mortimer Law Firm has served their clients with zeal and fought effectively for their justice. The Mortimer Law Firm has 2 offices in Alpena and Petoskey, MI. Our consultations are always free.