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Douglas H. McPhail, PLC Estate Planning | Elder Law | Medicaid Planning | Probate Avoidance | Estate Trust Administration

Our law firm focuses exclusively on estate planning, elder law, Medicaid planning, probate and trust administration. In more than 30 years of practicing law, we have helped thousands of families avoid probate, save taxes and protecting their hard earned assets from nursing home expenses.

Advanced planning isn't a one-size-fits-all decision, and we would never suggest that every family needs an irrevocable ...
10/21/2026

Advanced planning isn't a one-size-fits-all decision, and we would never suggest that every family needs an irrevocable trust. Families with significant assets, long-term care concerns, business interests, or specific protection goals may benefit from discussing advanced strategies earlier rather than waiting for a crisis.

Irrevocable planning also involves meaningful tradeoffs, including giving up a degree of control, which is why it calls for a careful individual review rather than a general recommendation.

Timing plays a pretty crucial role. A healthy retiree who begins a long-term care and asset protection review well before a nursing home admission is anywhere on the horizon generally has more options available than a family responding to an emergency.

Does advanced planning fit your goals and your timeline? That's a conversation our team often has with retirees and near-retirees throughout Michigan. Get in touch with us today with any questions via dougmcphail.com/doug-mcphail-attorney-contact-info.

A plan works better when the right people know where to find it, which is why we encourage families to have one short co...
10/14/2026

A plan works better when the right people know where to find it, which is why we encourage families to have one short conversation before the holiday season gets busy. It doesn't have to be long or heavy.

Confirming who's authorized to help, where the important documents are kept, how to locate current account information, and who should call the attorney if circumstances change will cover most of it.

There's a question underneath all of that, though, that a lot of families haven't directly discussed, which is: What would happen if we needed to act tomorrow? Adult children in particular tend to find it reassuring once they have an answer.

If you'd like help thinking through that conversation, keep our team at Douglas H. McPhail, PLC in mind. Reach out today at dougmcphail.com/doug-mcphail-attorney-contact-info.

Having estate planning documents at all is a great starting point, but families should also be asking whether those docu...
10/07/2026

Having estate planning documents at all is a great starting point, but families should also be asking whether those documents reflect what they actually want, whether their assets are coordinated with the plan, and who will help when the plan has to be used because of incapacity or a death.

It helps to picture planning as a sequence rather than a single event. A planning conversation comes first, then document preparation, then signing, then funding and titling, and then review further down the road. In our experience, plans that run into trouble often stop somewhere in the middle of that sequence.

Where does yours sit today? Douglas H. McPhail, PLC works with Michigan families who want to be sure they made it all the way through.

You can learn more about our approach at dougmcphail.com.

You don't need to have every answer before your first estate planning meeting, and you don't need your paperwork sorted ...
09/23/2026

You don't need to have every answer before your first estate planning meeting, and you don't need your paperwork sorted either. A rough picture of what you own is enough to get a productive conversation started.

With that being said, having the following handy helps the process move along:

â—ľ A current list of the real estate you own
â—ľ Bank and investment account information
â—ľ Retirement accounts and beneficiary designations
â—ľ Insurance policies
â—ľ Business interests, if you have any
â—ľ Any estate planning documents already in place
â—ľ Basic family information
â—ľ The concerns that brought you in

What we're working toward is a clear understanding of what you own, how it's titled, and what you want the plan to accomplish.

Ready to get started? Reach out to Douglas H. McPhail, PLC at dougmcphail.com/doug-mcphail-attorney-contact-info.

If you have a will, do you also need a trust? It's one of the questions we hear most often at Douglas H. McPhail, PLC, a...
09/16/2026

If you have a will, do you also need a trust? It's one of the questions we hear most often at Douglas H. McPhail, PLC, and the answer depends on what you own and what you want the plan to do.

A will states your final wishes and directs how assets in your name are distributed but only under Letters of Authority issued by a probate court. Comparably, a living trust can hold and manage assets during your life and after, without probate court involvement. Powers of attorney cover who makes your financial decisions for individually owned assets or medical decisions if you can't make them yourself.

If you're wondering what happens if you can't make decisions for yourself, the answer depends almost entirely on what was signed before that point.

These documents work best when they're chosen together vs. one at a time, because each covers a gap the others leave open. If you're unsure where you stand, our team is here to help.

You can learn more about comprehensive planning and our approach at dougmcphail.com.

As a reminder, a signed trust doesn't automatically mean your estate plan is complete. This catches many families we mee...
09/09/2026

As a reminder, a signed trust doesn't automatically mean your estate plan is complete. This catches many families we meet with by surprise. Signing is an important milestone, though the plan only starts working once your assets line up with it. That can mean retitling accounts, transferring the appropriate property, coordinating beneficiary designations, and reviewing the plan as circumstances change.

We like to recommend one habit in particular, which is to check in whenever a home, an investment account, or a business interest changes hands and ask whether that change affects your trust plan. Ownership can shift quietly, and a plan built around older titling may not do what you expect it to.

At Douglas H. McPhail, PLC, the question of what still needs to be done after you sign is the part of the process we spend the most time on with clients, because that is usually where plans succeed or fall short.

Learn more about our estate planning process at dougmcphail.com/norton-shores-estate-planning-attorney.

Labor Day is a reminder to pause and appreciate the work that supports the people and communities around us.Our office w...
09/07/2026

Labor Day is a reminder to pause and appreciate the work that supports the people and communities around us.

Our office will be closed on Monday, September 7, so our team can enjoy the holiday with family and friends. We will reopen on Tuesday, September 8, ready to assist families with thoughtful estate planning, living trusts, and elder law guidance.

We hope you enjoy a safe, restful holiday weekend.

Your estate plan is only as strong as the information behind it.One of the most common reasons plans fail is because ass...
08/25/2026

Your estate plan is only as strong as the information behind it.

One of the most common reasons plans fail is because assets were never reviewed carefully or titled correctly. That's why our process focuses on understanding:
🔹What you own
🔹How assets are titled
🔹Current asset values
🔹Whether your plan and assets work together

These details may seem small today, but they can make a significant difference for your family in the future.

If it has been a while since your plan was reviewed, now may be a good time for a fresh look. Visit dougmcphail.com or call (231) 799-4994.

One wrong move can create costly delays when applying for Medicaid. Families often receive well-intentioned advice from ...
08/11/2026

One wrong move can create costly delays when applying for Medicaid. Families often receive well-intentioned advice from friends, relatives, or online sources, but Medicaid rules can be complex and highly specific.

Some common mistakes include:
🔹Waiting until a crisis occurs to begin planning
🔹Making gifts without understanding the consequences
🔹Filing an application before reviewing available planning options
🔹Assuming certain assets are automatically protected

Planning ahead can help families make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary complications.

To learn more about Medicaid planning in Michigan, visit dougmcphail.com or call (231) 799-4994.

Losing a loved one is difficult. Managing their trust should not add unnecessary stress.Many successor trustees are surp...
08/04/2026

Losing a loved one is difficult. Managing their trust should not add unnecessary stress.

Many successor trustees are surprised by the number of responsibilities involved after someone's passing, including identifying assets, communicating with beneficiaries, resolving debts, and handling tax-related matters.

Having guidance through the trust administration process can help ensure everything is handled properly while providing peace of mind during a challenging time.

If your family is navigating trust administration, our team is here to help. Visit dougmcphail.com or call (231) 799-4994.

Address

800 E Ellis Road
Norton Shores, MI
49441

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Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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