Rutkowski Law Firm

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Rutkowski Law Firm Rutkowski Law Firm specializes in Estate Planning & Asset Protection

Friday Estate Planning TipReview who you've chosen to step in if you can't make decisions for yourself.A complete estate...
10/16/2026

Friday Estate Planning Tip

Review who you've chosen to step in if you can't make decisions for yourself.

A complete estate plan should address both financial and healthcare decisions. Your Financial Power of Attorney can authorize someone to manage financial matters, while your Patient Advocate Designation identifies who can make medical decisions if you're unable to speak for yourself.

Make sure the people you've chosen are still the people you trust with those responsibilities.

Schedule your appointment today:
https://rutkowskilawfirm.com/contact/
Subscribe to our newsletter for more insights:
https://rutkowskilawfirm.com/resources/newsletter/

Rutkowski Law Firm had a wonderful time presenting an Estate Planning Lunch & Learn to the members of the Orion Recreati...
10/14/2026

Rutkowski Law Firm had a wonderful time presenting an Estate Planning Lunch & Learn to the members of the Orion Recreation Center!

We loved the opportunity to connect with the community, share valuable information, and help attendees better understand the importance of protecting their assets, planning for the future, and ensuring their wishes are honored.

Thank you to the Orion Recreation Center for welcoming us and giving us the opportunity to educate and empower your members! 📚⚖️

Estate planning isn't only about deciding who receives your property someday.A complete plan can also establish who mana...
10/14/2026

Estate planning isn't only about deciding who receives your property someday.

A complete plan can also establish who manages your finances if you can't, who makes healthcare decisions for you, who would care for your minor children, and how your assets should transfer.

Without those protections in place, Michigan law may determine who inherits your property, and the court may become involved in decisions your family expected to make themselves.

Learn more in these articles:

What Should a Complete Estate Plan Include in Michigan?
https://rutkowskilawfirm.com/blog/what-should-a-complete-estate-plan-include-in-michigan/
What Happens If You Don't Have an Estate Plan in Michigan?
https://rutkowskilawfirm.com/blog/what-happens-if-you-don-t-have-an-estate-plan-in-michigan/

Schedule your appointment today:
https://rutkowskilawfirm.com/contact/

🎃👻 RUTKOWSKI LAW FIRM’S CLIENT HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST! 👻🎃It’s time to show off your spooktacular Halloween spirit! 🧙‍...
10/12/2026

🎃👻 RUTKOWSKI LAW FIRM’S CLIENT HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST! 👻🎃

It’s time to show off your spooktacular Halloween spirit! 🧙‍♀️🕸️

We’re hosting a Halloween Costume Contest for our amazing clients, and we want to see your best, funniest, and most creative costumes! 🧛‍♂️🧡

📸 How to Enter:
-Dress up in your favorite Halloween costume!
-Snap a photo and post it on Facebook.
-Tag Rutkowski Law Firm in your photo to be entered into our raffle!

🎁 The Prize? A $100 Amazon Gift Card! 🎉
We can’t wait to see all your boo-tiful costumes! 👻 Good luck, and have a safe and happy Halloween from all of us at Rutkowski Law Firm! 🧡🎃

Having a will is an important start, but is your family fully protected?A complete estate plan looks beyond what happens...
10/12/2026

Having a will is an important start, but is your family fully protected?

A complete estate plan looks beyond what happens to your property after you pass away.

It also considers who can manage your finances or make healthcare decisions if you can't, who would care for your minor children, and whether your assets are structured to transfer as you intend.

Without a plan, Michigan law and the probate court may end up making some of those decisions for you.

This Estate Planning Awareness Month, take the opportunity to make sure all the pieces of your plan are working together.

Schedule your appointment today:
https://rutkowskilawfirm.com/contact/

Myth: Having a will means your estate won't have to go through probate.Fact: A will doesn't automatically keep an estate...
10/09/2026

Myth: Having a will means your estate won't have to go through probate.

Fact: A will doesn't automatically keep an estate out of probate. It provides instructions for handling property during probate.

Whether probate is necessary often depends on how you own your assets. Property held in a living trust, jointly owned with rights of survivorship, or covered by a valid transfer-on-death designation may pass directly to the appropriate person without court involvement.

Schedule your appointment today:
https://rutkowskilawfirm.com/contact/

Subscribe to our newsletter for more insights:
https://rutkowskilawfirm.com/resources/newsletter/

We’re excited to be at the 50+ Expo at OPC Social & Activity Center! 💜Our Community Development Team, Lea & Josh, are sp...
10/07/2026

We’re excited to be at the 50+ Expo at OPC Social & Activity Center! 💜

Our Community Development Team, Lea & Josh, are spending the day connecting with seniors, answering questions, sharing resources, and building meaningful relationships within our community.

At Rutkowski Law Firm, we’re passionate about helping seniors and their families navigate the important legal and planning decisions that come with aging. We’re grateful for every opportunity to meet the wonderful people in our community and be a resource when they need us most.

Stop by and say hello to Lea & Josh! 👋

Does every estate have to go through probate after someone dies?Not necessarily.Whether probate is required often depend...
10/07/2026

Does every estate have to go through probate after someone dies?

Not necessarily.

Whether probate is required often depends on how you owned each asset. Property held in a living trust, jointly owned with right of survivorship, or covered by a valid transfer-on-death designation may pass directly without probate.

Assets owned solely by the person with no named beneficiary may need to go through the probate process.

These articles explain what families should do first and how asset ownership can determine what happens next.

How to Set Up an Estate After Someone Dies in Michigan
https://rutkowskilawfirm.com/blog/how-to-set-up-an-estate-after-someone-dies-in-michigan/
Do All Estates Have to Go Through Probate in Michigan?
https://rutkowskilawfirm.com/blog/do-all-estates-have-to-go-through-probate-in-michigan/

Schedule your appointment today:
https://rutkowskilawfirm.com/contact/

When someone passes away, families often aren't sure what they're supposed to do first.A good starting point is to gathe...
10/05/2026

When someone passes away, families often aren't sure what they're supposed to do first.

A good starting point is to gather the important information and understand how the person's property is owned.

That can include:
• Locating the original will, trust, and beneficiary designations
• Creating a list of property and financial accounts
• Identifying which assets can transfer directly to beneficiaries
• Determining which assets may need to go through probate
• Understanding whether a personal representative needs to be formally appointed

Not every estate follows the same path. Whether probate is necessary often depends on how individual assets were titled, not simply on whether the person had a will.

Schedule your appointment today:
https://rutkowskilawfirm.com/contact/

Friday Estate Planning TipIf you're a trust beneficiary, don't assume you have to stay in the dark about how the trust i...
10/02/2026

Friday Estate Planning Tip

If you're a trust beneficiary, don't assume you have to stay in the dark about how the trust is being managed.

Michigan law provides beneficiaries with specific protections, including rights to certain notices, relevant trust information, and annual accounting statements.

Knowing your rights can help you stay informed and understand how the trustee is administering the assets intended for you.

Schedule your appointment today:
https://rutkowskilawfirm.com/contact/

Subscribe to our newsletter for more insights:
https://rutkowskilawfirm.com/resources/newsletter/

Address

801 W. Big Beaver Road , Suite 600
Troy, MI
48084

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+12487929193

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