As Duane Horton contemplated his death, he decided to use an app on his smartphone to write a message that explained how he wanted his estate distributed when he was gone. Under Michigan law, that “document” was his will. So says the Michigan Court of Appeals in the case of In Re Estate of Duane Francis Horton, II. “It’s really a revolutionary case that may well help other jurisdictions figure out what to do with old ideas about estate planning documents in this age of high tech,” says Attorney Doug Chalgian,“and the fact that it comes from Michigan’s Berrien County is pretty cool.”
It’s a myth that everyone who lives a long life becomes cognitively or physically impaired. Ed Rockwell is living proof. Ed turned 100 on November 19, 2017. If you met Ed, you would guess he isn’t a day over 80. Mind sharp, body strong. It’s all good. So what’s his story?
Learn about the new estate planning option for Michiganders: the self-settled asset protection trust. Chalgian & Tripp is also growing, opening one new office in Ann Arbor and accepting two new attorneys to our family. You will also learn about the case of the unsigned will, and times/dates for the Special Needs Checkup.
The firm of Smith and Mabley is merging with the Chalgian & Tripp Southfield Office. If you don’t know Dave Smith and John Mabley, we look forward to introducing them to you. But if you’re a probate or estate planning professional in the State of Michigan, you already know who they are.
In May 2015, the prognosis for Noah Slocum-Sinke wasn’t good. He was in the emergency room on life support. That’s when C&T case manager John Fusik recommended a somewhat controversial form of treatment, a therapy not generally accepted in the medical community but something that had worked with some of John’s other clients. It helped – a lot.
Michigan’s new ABLE Act will be a featured topic at the annual Special Needs Check Ups. ABLE stands for: Achieving a Better Life Experience. At the Check Ups, C&T attorneys will answer your questions about Special Needs Trusts and the new ABLE Act.