Lost Wills – A Tough Row to Hoe

By Doug Chalgian on February 17, 2018

This juicy little soap opera out of Battle Creek starts where so many of such tales begin:  Dad is married but his children are from a prior relationship. ...

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Civil Actions versus Proceedings in Probate Court

By Doug Chalgian on August 10, 2017

When starting a new litigation matter in probate court, a threshold issue is to determine whether the matter should be characterized as a probate “proceeding” or a “civil...

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Section 2503 Grows Up

By Doug Chalgian on November 12, 2016

  This just in – pretty big news - and pretty interesting – the Michigan Court of Appeals holds, in a published opinion, that a draft of a...

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Show Me the Money

By Doug Chalgian on September 21, 2016

There’s a new published probate court case arising out of two matters in Jackson County. The case holds that if you don’t have any money, and even if...

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The Love Dance of Arbutus and Lyle

By Doug Chalgian on May 26, 2016

In the woods of Keewenaw County, Lyle married Arbutus and they operated a little shop together. Lyle took a job with the park service which took him away...

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Roush III: Missed Opportunity and Unintended Consequences

By Doug Chalgian on May 9, 2016

I posted twice before on the Roush case. Click here and here for the background. In short, the issue in this case is: When a person who has...

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MFDA Chimes in on Funeral Rep Law

By Doug Chalgian on March 24, 2016

The Michigan Funeral Directors Association contacted the author of this blogsite and offered a different perspective with respect to, in fact, takes exception to, the conclusions offered in...

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Long Sought Funeral Fix Awaits Signing

By Doug Chalgian on March 18, 2016

It appears that the people of Michigan will soon be able to appoint a “funeral representative.” A funeral representative is a person who is authorized to make funeral...

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Guardianship End of Life Authority Clarified

By Doug Chalgian on February 2, 2014

The debate is over. Guardians of adults (but not guardians appointed for persons with developmental disabilities), have authority to sign “do not resuscitate orders” (often called “DNR” orders)....

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More Terror Clause Trouble

By Doug Chalgian on June 23, 2013

The Court of Appeals has published another case on terror clauses.  Estate of Eugene Stan.The facts are that A filed for formal admission of a Will which included...

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Doug Chalgian

About The Author: Doug Chalgian

I am an estate planning, probate litigating, elder law attorney. This is a blog for clients and professional colleagues. In it I offer my ideas about the state of the law and the practice of law. I believe we are living through a unique period during which the law (which is traditionally slow to change) and society are attempting to evolve to address the explosion of people living long lives. I find these developments fascinating and enjoy being involved in this evolution.