Benzie County Probate Lawyers

Estate Planning
Wills and Trusts
Business Organization
Real Estate
Criminal Defense
Former Prosecutor

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...

Bailor Bell has extensive experience representing victims and their families harmed or killed in notable cases across the nation and has achieved unprecedented results in civil cases involving mass shootings, sexual assault and abuse, catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, carbon monoxide poisoning, and vehicular negligence. Before joining The Fierberg National Law Group, Mr. Bell practiced as a general civil litigation attorney for eight years. Mr. Bell has represented clients in the Michigan Supreme Court, the Michigan Court of Appeals, the Michigan Court of Claims, the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, the United States Court of...

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...

A native Michigander and veteran of the United States Air Force, Patrick Cherry received his B.A. degree with high honors from University of Michigan in 2012. He then worked as a judicial intern and law clerk while attending Wayne State University Law School, graduating in 2015. After graduation, Patrick moved with his family to Interlochen to enable his oldest son to attend the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy. Patrick joined McCurdy, Wotila & Porteous in April 2016 as the newest Associate Attorney in the firm. As a trial lawyer, Patrick represents our clients in all types of litigation including...

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 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.

Born in the small town of Hart, Anna is a lifelong Michigan resident. She moved to Muskegon to practice law, joining Parmenter Law in 1997—fulfilling her goal of staying close to Lake Michigan. Anna enjoys helping people which is reflected in her legal practice that focuses on elder law, estate planning and trust and estate administration.

In helping clients and their families, Anna takes a solution-oriented approach that goes far beyond addressing the immediate problem. Her comprehensive, integrated strategy includes a full evaluation of the client's and family's needs and goals, both short-term and long-term. In addition to providing the right...

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

Over 35 years of trial experience. Former prosecutor and public defender of criminal cases. Handle divorce, custody, child support, and paternity cases in the area of family law. Also, adoption, guardianship and conservatorship cases. Represent parents and/or children in juvenile court cases. Estates and estate planning.

About half of my practice consists of local government representation. The remainder is real estate, estate planning, probate, collections and general business matters. We strive to provide prompt and professional services with personal attention and care.

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.

Indiana University undergraduate, JD cum laude from St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO. Indiana Deputy Attorney General for two years. The Dow Chemical Company for 25 years, serving as Assistant General Counsel for Financial Law, Assistant General Counsel for Litigation, and Deputy Director Global Ethics and Compliance. Joined the Petoskey firm of Stroup Erhart, PC, almost 20 years ago, now known as Nelson Forster & Stikovich, PC. Current practice area focuses on estate planning and administration. Martindale Hubbell Peer Rated A-V Preeminent. See: www.accesslaw.net

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...

Balgooyen Law Offices has been a general practice firm in Muskegon County for over 40 years, having represented three municipal governments, several area businesses, and multiple generations of Muskegon families. Fredric F. Balgooyen, sole practitioner, has experience as both a prosecuting and public defense attorney, is a member of the State Bar of Michigan's Criminal Law Section, Probate and Estate Planning Section and Master Lawyer Section. Practice areas include estate planning, Wills & Trusts, Probate and decedent estates, real estate, business law, business planning, commercial and civil litigation, Landlord-Tenant, family law, domestic issues, divorce, child support...

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.

Claim your FREE BOOK "What's Keeping You Up At Night: An Attorney’s Practical Approach To Resolving Real Estate Nightmares" by visiting www.ProvenResource.com/book4u As a former "big Bank" real estate and contracts attorney, I love to demystify complicated real estate and financial legal concepts and problems for people who are frustrated, "spinning their wheels" with incompetent or dismissive real estate or banking "professionals." I hate when someone finds themselves at a legal disadvantage - they're "stuck" when they unknowingly relying on outdated or impractical information and forms off of the "internet." People often get in trouble when they base their legal...

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...

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. ...

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...

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,...

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...

"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,...

Mr. Kendal offers a unique program of flat-fee rapid and effective estate planning, including wills, trusts, and related documents. Mr. Kendal can take care of helping you assure your family’s future is legally secured and your wishes for how you would want your estate, that you have worked for and built up over your lifetime, is distributed according to your wishes. Mr. Kendal’s extensive background in probate, computer and E-law, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, trademarks and copyrights, and firearms law, gives him the experience needed to protect your business’ interests and help you achieve your business goals. With over 19 years...

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.

Lisa D. Stern is a dedicated family law attorney, providing comprehensive representation for couples involved in various aspects of domestic relations, including pre-nuptial agreements, divorce, custody cases, and post-judgment proceedings. Her expertise extends to managing the equitable division of assets, with a particular focus on closely held businesses and substantial marital estates. Recognized for her assertive advocacy, Lisa collaborates closely with local psychologists, mediators, drug and alcohol assessors, private investigators, and other reputable professionals to ensure her clients receive optimal representation. Understanding the intricate financial and business complexities that accompany marital dissolution, Lisa offers valuable guidance on decisions related to the...

Since 1976, Zeigler Townley P.C. has handled a wide variety of challenging and complex business and personal matters both in and out of Court. As a Vietnam Veteran, Matt has a very long view of all business litigation, employment and transactional matters, knowing what matters, and what does not.

He has represented a variety of clients ranging from private persons to international corporations. He is especially proud of working extensively with the Hispanic, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic and Asian communities within the State of Michigan.

I was born and raised in the lakes region of Oakland County in a little town called Union Lake. Union Lake is situated at the crossroads of Waterford Township, White Lake Township, West Bloomfield Township and Commerce Township hence the name Four Towns, known only by locals. I began my legal career with Wayne County Neighborhood Legal Services in their general litigation section taking my experience in consumer law with me into private practice. I currently practice all types of Consumer Law specializing in Bankruptcy, Estate Planning, Landlord-Tenant and Probate Law. I maintain a presence in Downtown...

Ken Gold is an experienced and dedicated estate planning and probate attorney. He has the knowledge and skills to help you with every element of estate planning along with your real estate and business needs.

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.

Ms. Underwood focuses her practice in a wide variety of estate and tax planning, probate and trust administration, contested probate and trust matters. Ms. Underwood is a the former Chair of the Probate and Estate Planning Council of the State Bar of Michigan, past editor of the Probate Journal, member of the Real Property, Trust Law and Taxation Sections of the American Bar Association; the Taxation Section of the State Bar of Michigan, and the Oakland County Bar Association. She has written several articles and been a contributing author for the ICLE publication Michigan Estate Planning Handbook....