Chesterfield Estate Administration & Probate Attorneys

Guiding You through Complex Estate Processes

Probate estate administration is often a confusing topic for many people. After a family member dies, either a will or Michigan law determines how the person’s property and assets will be divided and distributed. Our Chesterfield probate attorneys can further explain this process, your legal duties and options, and how beneficiaries can most efficiently close their family member’s estate.

Penzien & McBride also serves clients in guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, estate administration, and probate litigation regarding contested wills and estate plans.

Estate Administration

The Chesterfield probate lawyers at Penzien & McBride represent personal representatives and trustees in the administration of estates and postmortem trusts. We can handle all of the personal responsibilities from proving the validity of the will to preparing the final accounting and distributing bequests to heirs.

Probate Litigation

We can also represent the estate, an heir, a trustee, or a beneficiary in the resolution of any probate claim. Our years of experience can help resolve your probate dispute in an efficient and sensitive manner, whether the dispute involves a will contest, the status of an heir, the appraised value of a given asset, ERISA litigation, or a claim of breach of fiduciary duty against a personal representative or trustee.

Guardianship & Conservatorship

Guardianship and conservatorship documents filed in the probate court provide protection for vulnerable and incapacitated adults and minor children. Our firm represents both people proposing a guardianship and those who oppose the appointment of a particular guardian in cases concerning the protection of:

• Very elderly individuals
• Incapacitated persons
• Developmentally disabled minors who have reached adulthood
• Minor children who inherit substantial property in their own name.

Our probate attorneys will guide you through the guardianship or conservatorship process to ensure that your family member’s well-being, health, and finances are protected. We can also assist you with reporting duties, annual review, and renewal of guardian or conservator appointments.