Estate Planning

Protecting Lakeshore Families
For Over 25 Years.

Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and estate plans built around your actual situation — not a template. Whether you are a lifelong West Michigan resident or a Chicago-area buyer with Michigan assets, Sheridan Haddock PLLC handles estate planning personally and precisely.

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Services

Estate Planning Built Around Your Life

Estate planning is not about filling out forms — it is about making sure the right people are protected and the right assets go to the right people when the time comes.

Wills and Pour-Over Wills

A clear, legally sound will that reflects your intentions and holds up in Michigan probate court.

Revocable Living Trusts

Avoids probate, simplifies asset transfer, and keeps your affairs private. Particularly useful for clients with Michigan and out-of-state assets.

Irrevocable Trusts

Asset protection and Medicaid planning. For clients with significant assets who need a more structured approach.

Healthcare Powers of Attorney

Designate someone you trust to make medical decisions if you cannot make them yourself.

Financial Powers of Attorney

Authorize a trusted person to manage financial matters during incapacity.

Estate Plan Updates

Moved to Michigan? Purchased property here? Had a major life change? Existing estate plans often need updating to reflect Michigan law and new assets.

Probate Administration

Guiding families through the Michigan probate process after a loved one passes. Efficient, respectful, and clearly explained.

Michigan LLC or Trust to Hold Real Estate

Combining estate planning with property ownership structure for maximum flexibility and protection.

Sheridan Haddock PLLC law office Douglas Michigan

For Illinois and Chicago Clients

If you own Michigan property and are a resident of Illinois, your estate plan may need to address assets in two states. Probate in Michigan is handled separately from Illinois probate. A properly structured Michigan trust or LLC can simplify this considerably and avoid multi-state administration entirely.

Illinois Client Information →

Why This Matters

“Without a will, Michigan law determines who receives your assets — not you.”

Michigan’s intestacy laws distribute assets in a fixed legal order that may not match your wishes. A properly drafted estate plan takes 25 years of uncertainty and replaces it with a clear, legally binding set of instructions. For most families, this is the single most important legal document they will ever sign.

Common Questions

Estate Planning FAQ

Do I need a trust or will I a will be enough?

For many clients, a will is sufficient. For clients with significant assets, Michigan real estate, out-of-state property, minor children, or a blended family, a trust often provides more flexibility and control. We discuss the right approach for your specific situation before recommending either.

I have an estate plan from Illinois. Does it work in Michigan?

An Illinois will generally can be probated in Michigan. However, if you have purchased Michigan property, it is worth having a Michigan attorney review your existing plan to confirm it handles the Michigan assets correctly and that the document structure holds up under Michigan law.

What happens to my Lakeshore property if I die without a will?

The property goes through Michigan probate and is distributed according to Michigan’s intestacy statute. If you are married, your spouse typically receives the property. If you are not married, it passes to your children or other relatives in a fixed legal order that may not reflect your wishes.

How often should I update my estate plan?

Review your plan after any major life change — marriage, divorce, birth of a child, death of a beneficiary, significant change in assets, or relocation. As a general rule, reviewing every three to five years is reasonable even without a specific triggering event.

Talk to Attorney Haddock

Estate planning conversations are straightforward. Michael will explain your options clearly and recommend the approach that fits your situation.

Other Practice Areas

Protecting Lakeshore FamiliesFor Over 25 Years.