Planning for the future, caring for an aging family member, and administering an estate after a death can raise important questions about property, finances, healthcare, incapacity, and family responsibilities.

Attorney Kim D. Johnson provides estate planning, probate, estate administration, elder law, guardianship, and conservatorship services to individuals and families throughout Downriver, Wayne County, Metro Detroit, and Southeast Michigan. From his office in Trenton, he helps clients understand the available legal options and make informed decisions for themselves and the people they care about.

ESTATE PLANNING FOR EVERY STAGE OF ADULT LIFE

Estate planning is not only for older adults or people with substantial wealth. An estate plan can help adults of many ages communicate their wishes, select trusted decision-makers, provide for family members, and prepare for the possibility of illness or incapacity.

Parents may need to nominate someone to care for minor children. Older adults may want to clarify who can manage financial or healthcare decisions if assistance becomes necessary. Individuals with property, savings, insurance, or personal belongings may want to determine how those assets should be handled after death.

Attorney Johnson works directly with clients to understand their family relationships, property, responsibilities, health concerns, and plans for the future. He then helps them identify the estate-planning documents appropriate for their circumstances.

Estate-planning services may include:

  • Wills
  • Trusts
  • Durable financial powers of attorney
  • Patient advocate designations
  • Advance healthcare directives
  • Beneficiary and asset-planning considerations
  • Guardianship nominations for minor children
  • Planning for family members with disabilities
  • Review and updating of existing estate plans

WILLS AND TRUSTS

A will allows a person to state how property should be distributed after death, nominate a personal representative to administer the estate, and identify a preferred guardian for minor children.

A trust may be useful when a person wants to provide more detailed instructions for managing or distributing property. Trust planning may also be relevant for families with minor children, relatives with disabilities, blended-family concerns, or property that requires ongoing management.

Attorney Johnson helps clients understand the purposes of wills and trusts, how the documents differ, and which options may be appropriate for their family and property.

POWERS OF ATTORNEY AND HEALTHCARE PLANNING

An estate plan should address more than what happens after death. It can also identify who will have legal authority to act if illness, injury, or incapacity makes it difficult for a person to manage financial, legal, or healthcare decisions independently.

A durable financial power of attorney can authorize a trusted person to handle designated financial and legal matters. A patient advocate designation or advance healthcare directive can communicate healthcare preferences and identify someone to participate in medical decisions when necessary.

Preparing these documents in advance can give individuals greater control over who will act for them and can make responsibilities clearer for their families.

ELDER LAW AND PLANNING FOR INCAPACITY

Aging can create interconnected legal, financial, medical, and family concerns. An older adult may need help updating an estate plan, selecting trusted decision-makers, protecting personal wishes, or determining how responsibilities will be managed if additional support becomes necessary.

Adult children and other caregivers may also have questions about what authority they currently possess, what documents are already in place, and whether a guardianship or conservatorship proceeding may be required.

Attorney Johnson assists older adults, caregivers, and families with legal planning involving:

  • Wills and trusts
  • Financial powers of attorney
  • Patient advocate designations
  • Advance healthcare planning
  • Planning for illness or incapacity
  • Guardianships and conservatorships
  • Property and estate-planning concerns
  • Coordination of family responsibilities

Because every family's situation is different, Attorney Johnson reviews the particular circumstances before recommending a legal course of action.

MICHIGAN PROBATE AND ESTATE ADMINISTRATION

After someone dies, family members may need to determine whether a probate estate must be opened and who has authority to handle the person's affairs. They may also need to locate a will, identify property and debts, notify interested parties, address creditor claims, and distribute the remaining assets.

Attorney Johnson represents personal representatives, heirs, beneficiaries, and families in Michigan probate and estate administration matters. He explains the probate process, the responsibilities associated with administering an estate, and the documents and court filings that may be required.

Estate administration may involve:

  • Locating and filing a will
  • Opening an estate in probate court
  • Appointing a personal representative
  • Identifying heirs and interested parties
  • Preparing an inventory of estate property
  • Addressing debts and creditor claims
  • Managing real estate and personal property
  • Resolving questions about the distribution of assets
  • Preparing required probate court filings
  • Distributing property to heirs or beneficiaries
  • Completing and closing the estate

PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES

A personal representative is responsible for administering an estate in accordance with the applicable will, probate court requirements, and Michigan law. This role may involve collecting records, safeguarding property, communicating with family members and creditors, maintaining financial information, and completing required filings.

Even when family members agree about how an estate should be handled, the administrative process can be unfamiliar and demanding. Attorney Johnson helps personal representatives understand what must be done, organize the necessary information, and move the estate toward completion.

When questions or disagreements arise among heirs, beneficiaries, or other interested parties, he helps clients understand the legal issues and the available next steps.

GUARDIANSHIPS AND CONSERVATORSHIPS

A guardianship or conservatorship may be necessary when a child or adult cannot independently make certain personal, medical, or financial decisions and no existing document provides sufficient authority for someone else to act.

A guardian generally has authority involving personal care and well-being. A conservator generally manages money, property, or other financial affairs. Depending on the circumstances, a person may need one form of assistance or both.

Attorney Johnson assists families with Michigan guardianship and conservatorship matters involving:

  • Minor children
  • Adults with disabilities
  • Older adults experiencing incapacity
  • Individuals who need help with medical or personal decisions
  • Individuals who cannot independently manage property or finances
  • Appointment of a guardian or conservator
  • The duties and continuing responsibilities of guardians and conservators

Guardianship and conservatorship proceedings can significantly affect a person's independence and legal rights. Attorney Johnson helps families understand the purpose of the proceeding, the authority being requested, and the responsibilities that may follow an appointment.

PLANNING FOR THE PEOPLE WHO MATTER TO YOU

Estate planning, elder law, probate, and guardianship matters are connected by a common concern: making responsible arrangements for people, property, healthcare, and family obligations.

Attorney Johnson has spent more than 30 years working with individuals and families throughout the Downriver communities. Clients work directly with him to discuss their circumstances, understand the relevant Michigan legal process, and develop a practical plan for what needs to happen next.

SERVING TRENTON AND THE DOWNRIVER COMMUNITIES

The Law Office of Kim D. Johnson serves clients from Trenton, Lincoln Park, Wyandotte, Southgate, Taylor, Allen Park, Riverview, Brownstown Township, Woodhaven, Grosse Ile, Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Rockwood, and neighboring communities.

The office also assists clients elsewhere in Wayne County, Metro Detroit, and Southeast Michigan when the location and nature of the legal matter are appropriate.

CONTACT A DOWNRIVER ESTATE PLANNING AND PROBATE ATTORNEY

If you need to prepare or update an estate plan, address concerns involving an aging or incapacitated family member, establish a guardianship or conservatorship, or administer the estate of someone who has died, contact the Law Office of Kim D. Johnson at 313-383-7200.

You may also use the online contact form to briefly describe your legal matter and request a consultation.