Malicoat Law, PLC

Malicoat Law, PLC Our pledge is to provide each client with the very finest legal representation available. We will ag Geoff Malicoat is the founder of Malicoat Law, PLC.

Geoff is an Avvo rated attorney who focuses his practice in the areas of Elder Law Planning and Advocacy, Estate Planning and Administration, Probate Practice, and Business Planning. Born and raised in the Tri-City area, Geoff earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL, his Master of Arts Degree at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, and his Juri

s Doctor degree from The Thomas M. Cooley School of Law, in Lansing, MI. In addition to being licensed to practice law in the state of Michigan, Geoff is also accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs to represent Veteran claimants, and was awarded a Certificate of Completion by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education in the fields of Estate Planning and Probate Practice.

When was the last time you reviewed your estate plan? If your answer is “it has been a while,” you are not alone. Many p...
08/27/2026

When was the last time you reviewed your estate plan? If your answer is “it has been a while,” you are not alone. Many people assume their estate plan is complete once it is signed, but in reality, it should be revisited over time to ensure it continues to reflect your wishes.

Here are a few key things to keep in mind:

🔹Regular Reviews Matter - It is often recommended that you review your estate plan every three to five years to keep it aligned with your current circumstances.

🔹Life Change Updates - Events like marriage, divorce, or welcoming a child should prompt a timely review, ideally within 60 to 90 days after the event.

🔹Know the Common Triggers - The “5 Ds” (death, disability, divorce, distance, and descendants) are considered the most common triggers for a review.

An estate plan should grow and change with you. If it has been a few years since your last review, our team is here to help. Contact us today to get started.

Beneficiary designations are a crucial, but often overlooked, part of estate planning. These designations dictate who re...
08/25/2026

Beneficiary designations are a crucial, but often overlooked, part of estate planning. These designations dictate who receives payouts from key financial accounts and can even override what is written in a will. Swipe to learn more.

Ensuring your beneficiary designations are aligned with your estate plan can help. If you need help reviewing or updating your beneficiary designations, contact our office.

Choosing the right legal structure is one of the most important decisions you will make when starting or restructuring a...
08/20/2026

Choosing the right legal structure is one of the most important decisions you will make when starting or restructuring a business. Your entity selection impacts liability, taxation, ownership flexibility, and long-term growth. Swipe through for a breakdown of the most common business structures.

If you are considering starting a business or reevaluating your current entity, we are here to help guide you through the process. Call us to discuss your options and determine the best path forward.

Americans are living longer, and that shift is reshaping how we think about estate planning. Recent data shows life expe...
08/13/2026

Americans are living longer, and that shift is reshaping how we think about estate planning. Recent data shows life expectancy in the U.S. has climbed to nearly 79 years, continuing an upward trend after recent declines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This means individuals and families must prepare for longer retirements, extended care needs, and more complex planning decisions over time. Swipe through to learn more.

If your current plan does not reflect these realities, or if it has been some time since your last review, now is the time to revisit it. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you plan for the future with confidence.

Understanding how your assets will be transferred after your death is one of the most important parts of estate planning...
08/11/2026

Understanding how your assets will be transferred after your death is one of the most important parts of estate planning and can be one of the most misunderstood. Assets are commonly transferred automatically upon death or manually by an executor. Swipe to learn about the key differences between these two choices.

If you have questions about how your assets will transfer or want to review your current plan, our team is here to help. Call us today to get started.

As estate planning attorneys, it is part of our role to ensure you have the guidance and information you need to make in...
08/06/2026

As estate planning attorneys, it is part of our role to ensure you have the guidance and information you need to make informed decisions about your end-of-life planning.

So, with that in mind, our team wanted to highlight several foundational pillars that every comprehensive estate plan should address. Swipe for more information.

Knowing the basics of estate planning is one of the first steps to creating a strong, protective plan. The next step is working with dedicated estate planning attorneys like our team. We are here to help guide you and your loved ones through the estate planning process and ensure that your wishes are protected. Give the team a call today, and we can get started.

With fewer than 100 days remaining in the year, now is a smart time to revisit your estate plan and make sure it still r...
08/04/2026

With fewer than 100 days remaining in the year, now is a smart time to revisit your estate plan and make sure it still reflects your current wishes, family circumstances, and financial goals. Even small life changes throughout the year can prompt a review and update of important planning documents. Swipe to learn more.

If you would like to review your current estate plan or discuss potential updates, please contact our office. We are always happy to help.

During probate, state laws may provide protections against creditor claims for certain estate assets. However, those pro...
07/28/2026

During probate, state laws may provide protections against creditor claims for certain estate assets. However, those protections are not always automatic and may require action through the court to be properly recognized.

Depending on the circumstances, an attorney can help:

🔹 Review estate assets.

🔹 Identify potential exemptions under state law.

🔹 Evaluate creditor claims.

🔹 Petition the court when protections may apply.

Without proper guidance, families may overlook important legal protections that could preserve valuable assets for beneficiaries. Every estate is different, and early legal review can help ensure that all available options are considered before decisions are made.

Being named personal representative comes with real legal responsibilities that go beyond collecting assets and distribu...
07/21/2026

Being named personal representative comes with real legal responsibilities that go beyond collecting assets and distributing them to beneficiaries.

In reality, serving as a personal representative often requires managing a variety of important legal and financial tasks throughout the probate process.

Responsibilities may include:

🔹 Gathering and inventorying estate assets.

🔹 Notifying heirs and beneficiaries.

🔹 Providing notice to creditors.

🔹 Reviewing creditor claims.

🔹 Paying valid debts and taxes.

🔹 Maintaining estate records.

🔹 Requesting court approval for final distribution.

Since personal representatives have fiduciary duties, mistakes can create delays, disputes, or potential liability.

Working with a probate attorney can help make the process more manageable and provide guidance every step of the way. Contact our firm today for guidance.

Probate disputes can become serious when questions arise about fairness, capacity, or control of assets. Certain situati...
07/13/2026

Probate disputes can become serious when questions arise about fairness, capacity, or control of assets. Certain situations may require probate litigation to protect the rights of beneficiaries, heirs, or other interested parties.

Common issues that may lead to litigation include:

🔹 Concerns about undue influence.

🔹 Questions regarding mental capacity.

🔹 Allegations of forged or invalid documents.

🔹 Beneficiary or surviving spouse rights disputes.

🔹 Abuse of a power of attorney.

🔹 Trustee misconduct.

🔹 Improper distribution of estate assets.

🔹 Breach of fiduciary duty.

When someone is withholding information, misusing authority, or challenging a valid inheritance, legal action may be necessary to resolve the dispute and protect important rights.

If you are facing pressure, uncertainty, or concerns about the handling of an estate, do not assume you must accept the situation without question. Contact our firm today for guidance.

Address

6012 Eastman Avenue
Midland, MI
48640

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm

Telephone

+19894952555

Website

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