Sarah M. Meinhart, PLLC is a client focused boutique law firm specializing in Trust & Probate Administration, Estate Planning, and Probate Court. Sarah M. Meinhart strives to provide professional services tailored to your specific state in life as you plan for your future and loved ones. The firm’s goal is to give each client a map of the attorney representation and to provide clients with predictability and peace of mind regarding the process and fees associated with the services rendered.
Everyone already has an estate plan, whether they have something in writing or not. If someone passes away without a will or trust, their estate will be distributed by the laws of the State of Michigan through the Probate Court. An estate plan makes your wishes known for how you want your assets handled and distributed and designates who you appoint as a fiduciary to carry out the administration of your estate.
Probate is a legal process that helps one transfer his or her estate in an orderly and supervised manner. This takes place after a person passes away. Probate includes proving the validity of a will and any codicils, identifying what is included in a decedent’s estate, paying valid debts and taxes, and distributing the property to the beneficiaries according to the will.
Trust Administration is the process by which a Trustee manages and distributes assets through a private Trust document. A trustee’s duties are very similar to the Personal Representative in a Probate Estate, being that the fiduciary may be in control of real estate or a business, may need to collect and pay creditors, file taxes, and arranging for disposition of assets; or continue as trustee for a special needs or minor child. A trustee has a duty to follow state law and carries a fiduciary duty to the beneficiaries of the estate. Michigan law is state specific, especially when it comes to Charitable Trusts, and the fiduciary needs to timely and properly in the duties performed.
Please fill out the form below and Attorney Sarah M. Meinhart will contact you regarding her services. She looks forward to assisting you with your Probate & Estate Planning needs.
Ms. Meinhart has been able to handle difficult family dynamic situations properly and with complete professionalism.
Ms. Meinhart has been able to handle difficult family dynamic situations properly and with complete professionalism.