Woodland Estate Planning Lawyers

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.

Hello! My name is Thomas Trent Harris and I go by my middle name, Trent. I was born and raised in Jackson, Michigan and went to the Jackson Public Schools, graduating from Jackson High School in 1995. I earned my bachelor's degree from Albion College in 1999 and my juris doctor degree from Chicago Kent College of Law in 2008. I am licensed to practice in Michigan and Illinois, and my law practice today is focused almost completely on estate planning for individuals, families, and business owners.

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.

Brent Geers specializes in helping people empower those they trust and provide for those they love. Brent has been an attorney since 2012, working with individuals and families to marshal their time, talent, and treasurer for the benefit of their children, family, and community. He is a Grand Rapids Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” honoree, and currently operates his own practice, Geers Law. Brent is married to an educator, who employs his services as a chaperon for various school functions. He is also his daughter’s father – a girl who will become a president, not a princess.

Benjamin J. Herbert, a partner with Herbert Machnik Law Firm in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is committed to helping people understand their rights and plan for their future. His practice focuses on competent, knowledgeable advice and representation in the areas of estate planning, probate, Medicaid planning and real estate law as well as elder law, estate and trust administration, and guardianship and conservatorship matters. Attorney Herbert’s client base includes young professionals, senior citizens, retirees, and entrepreneurs among others. Attorney Herbert is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and is licensed to appear before the United States District Court for...

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...

Estate Planning Attorney – Biography Matthew V. Piwowar is the founder of Legacy Architects PLLC. His practice focuses on Estate Planning, Trusts and Wills, Special Needs Children, Business Succession, Long-Term Care, and Probate. He has over 30 years of experience advising on estate planning, business law, mergers & acquisitions, finance, and international law. Mr. Piwowar was born in Marquette, MI and grew up in West Michigan. He provides services to his clients statewide, from Grandville and Grand Rapids, south to Three Rivers and Kalamazoo, north to Boyne City and St. Ignace. Experience Piwowar’s background includes such transactions as: the sale of a...

After becoming a parent then a grandparent, spending 10 years in the Navy, and 20 years in business, Mechelle decided to pursue a law degree, which fulfilled a life-long dream. Her practical experience as an international contract negotiator and her time in the military bring a unique perspective and understanding of her clients’ needs.

While Mechelle is competent under many practice areas, her special areas of interest are Collaborative Practice, Mediation, Family Law, and Estate Planning. Mechelle is a court approved Civil Mediator and Domestic Relations Mediator. Practicing law allows Mechelle the tangible opportunity to seek justice in ways...

Howard "Jack" Weyers, Jr. is a well-loved attorney practicing in the greater Lansing area. Jack spent the first portion of his career helping his father, Howard Weyers, Sr. to build WEYCO Inc. in Okemos, MI where they specialized in administering employee benefits to businesses across the state. Growing up, Jack had always thought about attending law school, and after his father sold WEYCO Inc., he decided to finish his Bachelors Degree at Spring Arbor University and pursue his J.D. at Cooley Law School shortly after. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in January of 2015. Days before taking the Bar Exam,...

With years of experience as an assistant prosecuting attorney assigned to major felony prosecution of homicides, home invasion, armed robbery, and criminal sexual conduct cases, I have successfully litigated thousands of criminal and civil cases covering a broad range of complex legal issues. With over 30 years combined experience in all aspects of the criminal justice system, I have a unique understanding of the criminal justice process. This includes experience as a former police officer, assistant prosecutor, a private practice attorney and as an instructor and presenter with both the Michigan State Bar - Criminal Law Section and the...

The best part of being a lawyer is helping others with their legal issues. I don’t pay for TV advertisements or premium on-line placements. Instead, I do the best I can at a fair price for my valuable clients who in turn pay me the ultimate compliment by referring me to others who may need legal services. Here are a few things I ask you to consider.

- I deal directly with my clients. I do not pass you on to a junior associate; I do the actual work, which I continue to find interesting and rewarding.

-I work...

A relationship approach to providing peace of mind for your family and your business. That says it all. At Lichterman Law, PLC we strive to provide families and businesses with access to their own personal lawyer. We call it the Lichterman Law Difference. It is my passion to help families and businesses make the best decisions possible throughout their lifetime or existence. We provide all services on a flat-fee only basis, agreed to in advance so there are no surprises. We want you to know you can call us any time without getting charged...

Attorney Allison Greenlee Korr practices in Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Allegan, St. Joseph and all surrounding counties. She handles Family Law, bankruptcy, foreclosure and probate matters.

She holds a B.A. in Business from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctorate from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She is admitted to practice in both the Western and Eastern Districts of Michigan and holds a certificate as a civil mediator issued through the Michigan State Court Administrative Office. Allison also holds Certificates in the areas of Family Law and Probate and Estate Planning issued by the Institute of...

BUSINESS LAW. With my education (JD, MBA, CPA) and experience (Attorney and Business Executive) I bring an unusual extensive knowledge and experience in both the business legal world and the business operations world. As a result, I understand both the business and legal aspects of most situations.

ESTATE PLANNING. I have developed an unique process to help clients understand how an estate plan works in order to help them make informed decisions so they have a peace of mind knowing what how their estate plan will unfold as life progresses.

PROBATE. For those looking to keep...

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.

KELLY G. LAMBERT was born in Omaha, Nebraska and graduated from Ottawa Hills High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1981. In 1985, he received his Bachelor of Arts in international relations from Michigan State University where he was a National Merit Scholar. In December 1988, he received his law degree from University of Michigan Law School, where he was the recipient of the Wolverine State Bar Association Scholarship. In 1989 he was licensed to practice law in New York. In 1990 he was admitted to practice law in Michigan. He was admitted to practice...

Gary E. Tibble has been helping clients in Kalamazoo and throughout Southwest Michigan in the areas of: Residential and commercial real estate Estate planning Probate Wills and Trusts Criminal Record Expungements Mr. Tibble received his Bachelor of Arts from Western Michigan University in 1977; a Master of Public Administration from Western Michigan University in 1980; a Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1990. He was admitted to practice in Michigan in 1990 and the United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit in 1990. Mr. Tibble is a member of numerous organizations, including: Michigan Bar Association, Kalamazoo Bar...

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,...

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.

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.

Laura believes in compassionate estate planning and estate administration and focuses on the unique needs of each client. She also values mediation for resolving disputes efficiently and cost-effectively for clients. Since 2020 Laura has been with Herbert Machnik assisting clients with their trust and estate needs along with business formations and litigation among other areas of the law. To give back to her community, Laura has served as a court-appointed attorney or guardian ad litem for clients in Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties, and as a judge for several student moot court competitions. Laura is a member of the LGBTQA, Agriculture,...

Geoffrey has been practicing law in western Michigan now — and previously in the Detroit metro area (and beyond) — since 2005. In that time, he has consulted thousands of clients, and took part in many bankruptcy cases (both Chapter 7 and 13) for individuals and small businesses and helped numerous individuals and small businesses with all their legal needs. In addition, Geoff has volunteered at Freedom House Detroit practicing immigration and asylum law, teaches test preparation classes, and tutors students for standardized tests. Geoff grew up on a dairy farm in western Michigan — in his free time he enjoys...

Justin began his legal career in insurance defense where he gained experience handling complex litigation matters. Justin continued to build his litigation acumen by working on cases across a wide spectrum of legal issues including personal injury, no-fault PIP claims, wrongful death, contract disputes, property disputes, and premises liability. Since starting at Herbert Machnik in 2022, Justin has been a valuable asset on the civil litigation team in addition to assisting in matters related to estate planning and business planning and formation. Justin is an active member of his church and gives back to his community by working with the...

S. Christopher Hunter is the founding member of Hunter Law Offices, PLLC. Prior to opening his own practice, Mr. Hunter was an associate attorney with Garrison Lawhouse, PC in Dearborn, Michigan, served as a staff attorney at the Elder Law and Advocacy Center, and most recently managed and supervised the Great Lakes Legal – Elder Law Division’s reduced-fee program. Mr. Hunter focuses his practice in the areas of Elder Law, Long Term Care Planning, Estate Planning, Probate, Trusts, Guardianship/Conservatorships, and Social Security Disability. Mr. Hunter graduated from the University of Maine School of Law with a...

I pride myself in communicating well with clients and always keeping their familes' best interests in mind.

My practice is concentrated in four principal areas: consumer rights, lender liability, estate planning, and probate litigation. In the field of consumer rights, I have represented individuals and classes in litigation under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Truth in Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. Most frequently my clients are individuals or businesses pursuing or defending their legal rights against banks, financial institutions, mortgage servicers and other large corporations. Westbrook Law PLLC also provides services to clients in the areas of estate planning and probate and trust administration...

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...

I live in the world of ideas and strategic planning. I value intelligence, knowledge, and competence, I have high standards in these regards, which I continuously strive to fulfill. I can objectively see the reality of a situation, and I’m adaptable enough to change things which aren’t working well. I am a strategist – always scanning available ideas and concepts and weighing them against my current strategy, to plan for every credible contingency. I am ready to work for you.

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.

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.

Joe has been practicing law for over 20 years. He serves the greater Grand Rapids area and has worked with the majority of the courts in Kent and the surrounding counties. He is well known to other attorneys in the area and has a positive working relationship with court officers and law enforcement agencies.

Ms. Arnold graduated with her Juris Doctor in 2008 from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and holds a Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning from Michigan State University. Prior to starting her own practice Ms. Arnold was an Associate Attorney at a boutique elder law firm, and also worked for several years in legal aid. In her current practice Ms. Arnold focuses in the areas of elder law, probate, and estate planning. She also regular presents and speaks on these issues.

With over eighteen years' experience in both law firm and large corporate environments, handling local, national, and international transactions of various types, I am able to assist clients in structuring and completing complex transactions while maintaining a personalized focus. Our firm appreciates each opportunity we have to learn a client's needs and provide customized solutions to the client's legal issues. I have substantial experience in real estate, corporate structure and governance, commercial contracts and procurement, mergers and acquisitions, estate and succession planning, and construction.

Attorney Keilen is licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan, the Federal US District Court for the Western District of Michigan, and the Federal US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Attorney Keilen is a Board Member and Attorney Representative for Kalamazoo Plus; he is an Advisory Board Member for the Michigan Medical Device Accelerator.

Attorney Keilen is a commercial litigator specializing in closely held business disputes; he is also the founder/owner of a local medical device company, giving him a unique appreciation for the legal issues in today’s business environment. Attorney Keilen has been a guest...

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...

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.