Dellenbusch & Ryan, PLC

10/15/2026

Last month on September 15, our Attorney Nick Ryan had the pleasure of speaking at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Grand Rapids about estate planning and the importance of having a plan in place.

Nick discussed the documents that can be part of an estate plan, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and more. He also talked about the differences between wills and trusts, what each document can accomplish, and what estate planning really entails.

We’re grateful for opportunities like this to connect with people in our community, answer questions, and make estate planning a little easier to understand. It’s rewarding to see the conversations and questions that come up when people have the opportunity to learn more about protecting their families and their wishes.

And as we continue our October focus on Wills vs. Trusts, this conversation is a great reminder that there is no one-size-fits-all estate plan, and that the right plan depends on your family, your assets, and your goals.

A huge thank you to St. Isidore’s for welcoming Nick and Dellenbusch & Ryan Law! We’re proud to have Nick share his knowledge with our West Michigan community and look forward to more opportunities to continue the conversation.

Estate planning is important. Understanding your options is the first step!

10/14/2026

⚖ Probate. You’ve probably heard the word. But what does it actually mean?

Probate can sound complicated or intimidating, but at its core, it’s a court process used to handle certain assets and affairs after someone passes away.

And here’s something many people don’t realize: not everything goes through probate.

Depending on how your assets are owned and planned, some may pass through beneficiary designations, joint ownership, or a trust.

👉 That’s why estate planning is about more than “just having a Will.”

How your assets are titled, who your beneficiaries are, and whether you have a trust can all make a difference.
The goal isn’t to worry about probate. It’s to understand your options and have a plan in place.

📞 Have questions about probate, Wills, or Trusts? Call Dellenbusch & Ryan Law today at (616) 451-4242 to schedule a consultation.

10/13/2026

🍷 A little W**e & Wills, anyone? Mark your calendars!

We’re excited to share that our Attorney Nick Ryan will be out in the community for W**e & Wills on Thursday, October 22!

📅 Thursday, October 22, 2026
🕟 4:30 PM
📍 Holy Trinity Catholic Church
1200 Alpine Church Rd NW
Comstock Park, MI 49321

We’ll share more details about Nick’s presentation as the event gets closer. For now, consider this your sneak peek - and your reminder that estate planning conversations can happen in a relaxed, approachable setting.

We hope to see you there! 🍷

**eAndWills

10/12/2026

🧡 Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Today, we recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day and honor the many Indigenous communities whose histories, cultures, traditions, and contributions continue to shape our communities and our country.

Michigan is home to twelve federally recognized Tribal Nations, with deep histories and ongoing contributions throughout our state.

On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we take a moment to recognize the history, cultures, traditions, and enduring contributions of Indigenous communities.

Wishing our West Michigan community a meaningful Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

10/10/2026

🏡 Can you have both a Will AND a Trust?
Absolutely! In fact, in many estate plans, a Will and a Trust work together.

🎥 In this video, our attorney Nick Ryan from Dellenbusch & Ryan Law explains why a “pour-over” Will can serve as a backup for assets that weren’t placed into a Trust - and why having a Will can be especially important for parents with minor children.

https://youtu.be/jfiTHAm7x9c

A Will can address guardianship wishes for your children, while a Trust may provide instructions for managing their financial inheritance.

👉 The takeaway? Estate planning isn’t about choosing the fanciest document. It’s about making sure the pieces of your plan work TOGETHER.

📞 Have questions about Wills, Trusts, or planning for your family? Call Dellenbusch & Ryan Law today at (616) 451-4242 to schedule a consultation.

If you have a trust, do you still need a will?In many trust-based...

10/07/2026

📜 Wills vs. Trusts: what’s the difference?

If you’ve started thinking about estate planning, you’ve probably heard two words: Will and Trust.
So, what’s the difference?

A Will explains how you want certain property handled after your death and can also address things like naming a personal representative and guardianship wishes for minor children.

A Trust can hold and manage property according to your instructions, including what happens to those assets during your lifetime and after your death.

👉 And here’s the important part: You don’t always have to choose one or the other. Depending on your goals and circumstances, an estate plan may use both.

❤ Give yourself and your family the gift of a thoughtful plan. Call Dellenbusch & Ryan Law today at (616) 451-4242.

10/05/2026

Somewhere along the way, estate planning conversations sometimes become: a Will is “bad” and a Trust is “good.”

But that's too simple - and misleading.

A Will can be an important and appropriate part of an estate plan (which generally takes effect after you pass away) and a Trust can accomplish different things and may be appropriate in different circumstances (which can begin operating during your lifetime AND after your passing).

The real question is: 👉 What do you want your estate plan to accomplish?

Your family, assets, real estate, and goals all matter when creating a plan that fits your circumstances. That's where personalized legal advice matters.

❤ Plan with purpose. Plan for your family.

⚖ If you're unsure what your estate plan needs, we're happy to help you explore your options. Call (616) 451-4242 to schedule a consultation.

10/03/2026

🤔 So, what does a Trust actually do?

A Trust is a legal arrangement that allows you to set rules for how certain assets are managed and distributed - both during your lifetime AND after you’re gone.

For some people, a Trust can be helpful if they want to:
🏡 Manage real estate or multiple assets
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Provide for children or grandchildren
💰 Control when and how someone receives an inheritance
❤ Have someone manage assets if they become unable to do so
📋 Plan for how assets should be handled after death

👉 The real question is: Would a Trust accomplish something important for you and your family?

📞 Have questions about whether a Trust makes sense for you? Call Dellenbusch & Ryan Law at (616)
451-4242 to schedule a consultation.

10/01/2026

🍂 October is all about Wills and Trusts!

All October long, we’ll be talking about one of the most common questions we hear when it comes to estate planning:
What’s the difference between a Will and a Trust - and which one might make sense for you?

Throughout the month, we’ll be sharing helpful information to make these topics a little easier to understand, including probate, protecting assets, planning for children, real estate, and more.

🎥 In this video, our attorney Nick Ryan at Dellenbusch & Ryan Law explains a few situations where a Trust may make sense, including when you want to control when and how someone receives an inheritance or when real estate is involved.

https://youtu.be/VNrmkQ238Uk

Estate planning can feel overwhelming, but understanding your options is a great place to start. ❤

📞 Have questions about protecting your family and your assets? Give Dellenbusch & Ryan Law a call at (616) 451-4242.

When does a trust make more sense than a will?For some families, ...

09/29/2026

❤️ Your life changed. Did your estate plan?

This month, we’ve talked about what can change after marriage or remarriage:
💍 Your spouse may not automatically be included in everything.
🏠 Your home title may not change automatically.
💰 Beneficiaries may need to be updated.
📄 Your will or trust may need to be reviewed.
✍️ Financial and health care documents may need attention, too.

The biggest takeaway? Don’t assume your estate plan still fits your life today.
Your family changed. Your wishes may have changed. Make sure your plan keeps up.

📞 Let’s tackle it together. Call Dellenbusch & Ryan Law today at (616) 451-4242 to schedule a consultation.