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It is designed to protect you, your spouse, and your independence while you are still very much here, but perhaps facing a health change.",{"type":165,"tag":216,"props":217,"children":219},"h3",{"id":218},"the-12000month-reality-check",[220],{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":221,"children":222},{},[223],{"type":170,"value":224},"The $12,000/Month Reality Check",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":226,"children":227},{},[228,230,235],{"type":170,"value":229},"In Michigan, the average cost of skilled nursing care has climbed to approximately ",{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":231,"children":232},{},[233],{"type":170,"value":234},"$12,000 per month",{"type":170,"value":236},". For most families, this isn't just an expense; it’s a total liquidation of their life savings.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":238,"children":239},{},[240,242,248],{"type":170,"value":241},"A traditional Will or a simple Revocable Trust offers zero protection against these costs. If you enter a nursing home with a standard trust, the state generally expects you to \"",{"type":165,"tag":173,"props":243,"children":245},{"href":244},"/medicaid-planning/what-is-medicaid-spend-down/",[246],{"type":170,"value":247},"spend down",{"type":170,"value":249},"\" almost everything you own before you can qualify for assistance. Within a matter of months, the inheritance you intended for your children can vanish.",{"type":165,"tag":216,"props":251,"children":253},{"id":252},"adding-the-asset-shield-layers",[254],{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":255,"children":256},{},[257],{"type":170,"value":258},"Adding the \"Asset Shield™\" Layers",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":260,"children":261},{},[262,269,271],{"type":165,"tag":173,"props":263,"children":266},{"href":264,"target":176,"rel":265},"/practice-areas/elder-law/",[178],[267],{"type":170,"value":268},"Elder Law ",{"type":170,"value":270},"takes your existing plan and adds the necessary \"fortification\" to handle long-term care decisions. We move beyond simple distribution to focus on ",{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":272,"children":273},{},[274],{"type":170,"value":275},"asset preservation.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":277,"children":278},{},[279,281,286,288,298],{"type":170,"value":280},"With advanced tools such as an ",{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":282,"children":283},{},[284],{"type":170,"value":285},"Asset Shield™",{"type":170,"value":287}," or a ",{"type":165,"tag":173,"props":289,"children":292},{"href":290,"target":176,"rel":291},"/practice-areas/estate-planning/lady-bird-deed/",[178],[293],{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":294,"children":295},{},[296],{"type":170,"value":297},"Michigan Lady Bird Deed",{"type":170,"value":299},", we can structure your property to protect it from the state's reach. These strategies allow you to:",{"type":165,"tag":301,"props":302,"children":303},"ul",{},[304,315,325],{"type":165,"tag":305,"props":306,"children":307},"li",{},[308,313],{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":309,"children":310},{},[311],{"type":170,"value":312},"Protect the \"Community Spouse\":",{"type":170,"value":314}," Ensure that if one spouse needs care, the other isn't left in poverty.",{"type":165,"tag":305,"props":316,"children":317},{},[318,323],{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":319,"children":320},{},[321],{"type":170,"value":322},"Qualify for Benefits:",{"type":170,"value":324}," Navigate the complex rules of Medicaid or VA benefits without having to \"go broke\" first.",{"type":165,"tag":305,"props":326,"children":327},{},[328,333],{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":329,"children":330},{},[331],{"type":170,"value":332},"Preserve the Home:",{"type":170,"value":334}," Use specific deeds to ensure your home base stays in the family and isn't subject to estate recovery.",{"type":165,"tag":216,"props":336,"children":338},{"id":337},"a-plan-for-life-not-just-a-paper-for-the-future",[339],{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":340,"children":341},{},[342],{"type":170,"value":343},"A Plan for Life, Not Just a Paper for the Future",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":345,"children":346},{},[347,354],{"type":165,"tag":173,"props":348,"children":351},{"href":349,"target":176,"rel":350},"/practice-areas/estate-planning/",[178],[352],{"type":170,"value":353},"Estate planning",{"type":170,"value":355}," is the foundation, but Elder Law is the roof and the walls. It’s the difference between having a map of where you want to go and having the vehicle that actually gets you there safely, regardless of the weather.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":357,"children":358},{},[359,361,366],{"type":170,"value":360},"Aging shouldn't mean losing control of what you’ve spent a lifetime building. Our ",{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":362,"children":363},{},[364],{"type":170,"value":365},"Done-For-You",{"type":170,"value":367}," process handles the heavy lifting—from legal strategy to the complex task of qualifying for benefits —providing you with the calm clarity you deserve.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":369,"children":370},{},[371],{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":372,"children":373},{},[374],{"type":170,"value":375},"Are you ready to turn your estate plan into a fortified life plan?",{"type":165,"tag":377,"props":378,"children":379},"br",{},[],{"title":23,"searchDepth":24,"depth":24,"links":381},[382,384,385],{"id":218,"depth":383,"text":224},3,{"id":252,"depth":383,"text":258},{"id":337,"depth":383,"text":343},"content:blog:is-your-estate-plan-a-death-document-or-a-life-document.md","blog/is-your-estate-plan-a-death-document-or-a-life-document.md","blog/is-your-estate-plan-a-death-document-or-a-life-document",{"_path":390,"_dir":155,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":391,"description":392,"date":393,"imageUrl":394,"imageAlt":160,"author":161,"body":395,"_type":26,"_id":622,"_source":28,"_file":623,"_stem":624,"_extension":31},"/blog/private-pay-vs-planning-ahead-how-early-strategy-changes-your-options","Private Pay vs Planning Ahead - How Early Strategy Changes Your Options","Long-term care doesn’t have to drain everything you’ve built. Timing and strategy make the difference.\n","2026-03-04T00:00:00Z","/img/blog/RLF-blog-private-pay-vs-planning-ahead-mar-09.webp",{"type":20,"children":396,"toc":615},[397,402,407,412,417,435,440,450,463,468,473,482,487,492,515,520,525,530,539,544,549,554,563,568,573,578,587,592,597,602,607,612],{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":398,"children":399},{},[400],{"type":170,"value":401},"When families first hear the cost of long-term care, the reaction is usually the same.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":403,"children":404},{},[405],{"type":170,"value":406},"“We’ll just have to private pay.”",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":408,"children":409},{},[410],{"type":170,"value":411},"It feels inevitable. Nursing homes can cost thousands per month. Assisted living is not far behind. Many assume there are no real options beyond writing checks until the money runs out.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":413,"children":414},{},[415],{"type":170,"value":416},"That assumption often leads to painful decisions.",{"type":165,"tag":301,"props":418,"children":419},{},[420,425,430],{"type":165,"tag":305,"props":421,"children":422},{},[423],{"type":170,"value":424},"Draining retirement savings.",{"type":165,"tag":305,"props":426,"children":427},{},[428],{"type":170,"value":429},"Selling property under pressure.",{"type":165,"tag":305,"props":431,"children":432},{},[433],{"type":170,"value":434},"Leaving a healthy spouse financially vulnerable.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":436,"children":437},{},[438],{"type":170,"value":439},"But it does not have to unfold that way.",{"type":165,"tag":441,"props":442,"children":444},"h2",{"id":443},"why-families-default-to-private-pay",[445],{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":446,"children":447},{},[448],{"type":170,"value":449},"Why Families Default to Private Pay",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":451,"children":452},{},[453,455,461],{"type":170,"value":454},"Most people do not learn about ",{"type":165,"tag":173,"props":456,"children":458},{"href":457},"/practice-areas/medicaid-planning/",[459],{"type":170,"value":460},"Medicaid planning",{"type":170,"value":462}," until they are already in crisis. By then, the hospital discharge planner is asking where care will happen next. Bills are coming in. Emotions are high.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":464,"children":465},{},[466],{"type":170,"value":467},"When planning starts after the emergency, options narrow quickly. Certain strategies are no longer available. Transfers may trigger penalties. Asset protection becomes harder.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":469,"children":470},{},[471],{"type":170,"value":472},"So families do what feels immediate and controllable. They pay out of pocket.",{"type":165,"tag":441,"props":474,"children":476},{"id":475},"how-early-planning-changes-the-conversation",[477],{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":478,"children":479},{},[480],{"type":170,"value":481},"How Early Planning Changes the Conversation",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":483,"children":484},{},[485],{"type":170,"value":486},"Early planning shifts everything.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":488,"children":489},{},[490],{"type":170,"value":491},"With proper Medicaid and asset protection strategies structured in compliance with Michigan law, families can:",{"type":165,"tag":301,"props":493,"children":494},{},[495,500,505,510],{"type":165,"tag":305,"props":496,"children":497},{},[498],{"type":170,"value":499},"Preserve a portion of retirement savings",{"type":165,"tag":305,"props":501,"children":502},{},[503],{"type":170,"value":504},"Protect a primary residence in many cases",{"type":165,"tag":305,"props":506,"children":507},{},[508],{"type":170,"value":509},"Maintain financial stability for a healthy spouse",{"type":165,"tag":305,"props":511,"children":512},{},[513],{"type":170,"value":514},"Avoid rushed financial decisions during a crisis",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":516,"children":517},{},[518],{"type":170,"value":519},"The key factor is timing.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":521,"children":522},{},[523],{"type":170,"value":524},"When planning happens before a health event, strategies can be layered thoughtfully. Trusts can be created. Assets can be positioned correctly. Beneficiary designations can be aligned with long-term goals.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":526,"children":527},{},[528],{"type":170,"value":529},"That flexibility disappears once someone is already in a nursing home, with bills piling up.",{"type":165,"tag":441,"props":531,"children":533},{"id":532},"the-cost-of-waiting",[534],{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":535,"children":536},{},[537],{"type":170,"value":538},"The Cost of Waiting",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":540,"children":541},{},[542],{"type":170,"value":543},"Waiting does not just limit financial tools. It limits emotional breathing room.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":545,"children":546},{},[547],{"type":170,"value":548},"Without a plan, families are forced to make major financial decisions under pressure. That pressure often leads to choices they would not have made with more time and guidance.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":550,"children":551},{},[552],{"type":170,"value":553},"In contrast, families who plan early approach care decisions strategically. They understand what insurance covers. They know how Medicaid fits into the picture. They are not scrambling to sell assets just to buy time.",{"type":165,"tag":441,"props":555,"children":557},{"id":556},"planning-ahead-is-not-about-giving-everything-away",[558],{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":559,"children":560},{},[561],{"type":170,"value":562},"Planning Ahead Is Not About “Giving Everything Away”",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":564,"children":565},{},[566],{"type":170,"value":567},"There is a common misconception that Medicaid planning means giving up control or transferring everything to children.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":569,"children":570},{},[571],{"type":170,"value":572},"That is not how thoughtful planning works.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":574,"children":575},{},[576],{"type":170,"value":577},"A proper strategy is about preserving options. It is about structuring assets legally and ethically under Michigan rules. It is about protecting a spouse. It is about ensuring that long-term care does not erase a lifetime of work.",{"type":165,"tag":441,"props":579,"children":581},{"id":580},"strategy-before-stress",[582],{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":583,"children":584},{},[585],{"type":170,"value":586},"Strategy Before Stress",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":588,"children":589},{},[590],{"type":170,"value":591},"At Rutkowski Law Firm, we focus on building plans that hold up in real-world situations. That means understanding Medicaid rules, asset protection strategies, and the timing that makes those strategies effective.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":593,"children":594},{},[595],{"type":170,"value":596},"The earlier the conversation happens, the more flexibility you have.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":598,"children":599},{},[600],{"type":170,"value":601},"Private pay may be necessary for some period of time. But it should be part of a broader strategy, not the default plan, because no other options were explored.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":603,"children":604},{},[605],{"type":170,"value":606},"If you are in your 50s, 60s, or early 70s and have not reviewed your long-term care strategy, now is the right time. Once a crisis hits, the window narrows quickly.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":608,"children":609},{},[610],{"type":170,"value":611},"Planning ahead does not eliminate uncertainty. But it gives your family control, clarity, and options when they matter most.",{"type":165,"tag":377,"props":613,"children":614},{},[],{"title":23,"searchDepth":24,"depth":24,"links":616},[617,618,619,620,621],{"id":443,"depth":24,"text":449},{"id":475,"depth":24,"text":481},{"id":532,"depth":24,"text":538},{"id":556,"depth":24,"text":562},{"id":580,"depth":24,"text":586},"content:blog:private-pay-vs-planning-ahead-how-early-strategy-changes-your-options.md","blog/private-pay-vs-planning-ahead-how-early-strategy-changes-your-options.md","blog/private-pay-vs-planning-ahead-how-early-strategy-changes-your-options",{"_path":626,"_dir":155,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":627,"description":628,"date":629,"imageUrl":630,"imageAlt":631,"author":161,"body":632,"_type":26,"_id":822,"_source":28,"_file":823,"_stem":824,"_extension":31},"/blog/does-your-power-of-attorney-actually-work-for-medicaid-planning","Does Your Power of Attorney Actually Work for Medicaid Planning?","A missing clause in your Power of Attorney could cost your family thousands in care costs. Here's what to check—before it’s too late.\n\n","2026-02-24T00:00:00Z","/img/blog/RLF-does-your-POA-actually-works-mar-02.webp","mother and son",{"type":20,"children":633,"toc":812},[634,647,652,661,666,671,680,699,708,720,729,734,743,748,753,762,767,785,790,799,804,809],{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":635,"children":636},{},[637,639,645],{"type":170,"value":638},"Most people feel a sense of relief once they’ve signed a ",{"type":165,"tag":173,"props":640,"children":642},{"href":641},"/practice-areas/estate-planning/power-of-attorney/durable-power-of-attorney/",[643],{"type":170,"value":644},"Power of Attorney (POA)",{"type":170,"value":646},". It’s a responsible step. But here’s the part many families find out too late: not all POAs give your agent the authority they need when Medicaid planning becomes urgent.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":648,"children":649},{},[650],{"type":170,"value":651},"Even a document drafted by a professional can leave out the very powers your loved ones need most—especially when long-term care and high-dollar decisions are on the line.",{"type":165,"tag":441,"props":653,"children":655},{"id":654},"why-your-poa-might-be-useless-for-medicaid-planning",[656],{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":657,"children":658},{},[659],{"type":170,"value":660},"Why Your POA Might Be Useless for Medicaid Planning",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":662,"children":663},{},[664],{"type":170,"value":665},"Medicaid eligibility often requires shifting assets strategically to preserve what you've worked hard for. But if your POA doesn’t include specific planning powers, your agent may be legally blocked from doing what needs to be done.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":667,"children":668},{},[669],{"type":170,"value":670},"Here are three of the most common (and most critical) powers your POA needs to include:",{"type":165,"tag":216,"props":672,"children":674},{"id":673},"_1-the-power-to-transfer-or-gift-assets",[675],{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":676,"children":677},{},[678],{"type":170,"value":679},"1. The Power to Transfer or Gift Assets",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":681,"children":682},{},[683,685,690,692,697],{"type":170,"value":684},"In order to qualify for ",{"type":165,"tag":173,"props":686,"children":687},{"href":457},[688],{"type":170,"value":689},"Medicaid",{"type":170,"value":691},", families often need to move assets out of the applicant’s name. But if the ",{"type":165,"tag":173,"props":693,"children":694},{"href":641},[695],{"type":170,"value":696},"POA",{"type":170,"value":698},"doesn’t explicitly allow gifting, the agent can’t do it. That means no strategic transfers to a spouse or family member, and no chance to preserve wealth from nursing home costs.",{"type":165,"tag":216,"props":700,"children":702},{"id":701},"_2-authority-to-create-or-amend-irrevocable-trusts",[703],{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":704,"children":705},{},[706],{"type":170,"value":707},"2. Authority to Create or Amend Irrevocable Trusts",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":709,"children":710},{},[711,713,718],{"type":170,"value":712},"An ",{"type":165,"tag":173,"props":714,"children":715},{"href":175},[716],{"type":170,"value":717},"irrevocable trust",{"type":170,"value":719}," is one of the most effective tools for protecting assets while meeting Medicaid’s eligibility rules. But many POAs leave this out. If your agent can’t create or adjust these trusts, they’re stuck. And so are you.",{"type":165,"tag":216,"props":721,"children":723},{"id":722},"_3-permission-to-update-beneficiaries",[724],{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":725,"children":726},{},[727],{"type":170,"value":728},"3. Permission to Update Beneficiaries",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":730,"children":731},{},[732],{"type":170,"value":733},"Updating beneficiary designations—especially on retirement accounts and life insurance—can help keep money out of probate and align your plan with Medicaid strategies. Again, most POAs don’t include this unless it’s drafted by someone who knows to look for it.",{"type":165,"tag":441,"props":735,"children":737},{"id":736},"what-happens-when-these-powers-are-missing",[738],{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":739,"children":740},{},[741],{"type":170,"value":742},"What Happens When These Powers Are Missing?",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":744,"children":745},{},[746],{"type":170,"value":747},"When a POA is silent on these issues, your family may end up in court asking for guardianship or conservatorship just to take basic action. It’s slow, expensive, and public—everything most people want to avoid.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":749,"children":750},{},[751],{"type":170,"value":752},"Worse yet, without the right POA powers, the chance to legally protect assets may disappear entirely.",{"type":165,"tag":441,"props":754,"children":756},{"id":755},"how-rutkowski-law-firm-approaches-power-of-attorney-documents",[757],{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":758,"children":759},{},[760],{"type":170,"value":761},"How Rutkowski Law Firm Approaches Power of Attorney Documents",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":763,"children":764},{},[765],{"type":170,"value":766},"At Rutkowski, we don’t write POAs just to check a box. We design them based on real-world problems we’ve seen play out in Medicaid cases. That means:",{"type":165,"tag":301,"props":768,"children":769},{},[770,775,780],{"type":165,"tag":305,"props":771,"children":772},{},[773],{"type":170,"value":774},"Making sure your agent has full authority to act.",{"type":165,"tag":305,"props":776,"children":777},{},[778],{"type":170,"value":779},"Avoiding vague language that causes rejection or confusion.",{"type":165,"tag":305,"props":781,"children":782},{},[783],{"type":170,"value":784},"Building in protections based on Michigan’s laws and Medicaid rules.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":786,"children":787},{},[788],{"type":170,"value":789},"We also walk you through what it all means—so you’re not left hoping that the paperwork will work if the time ever comes.",{"type":165,"tag":441,"props":791,"children":793},{"id":792},"dont-wait-for-a-crisis-to-find-the-gaps",[794],{"type":165,"tag":190,"props":795,"children":796},{},[797],{"type":170,"value":798},"Don’t Wait for a Crisis to Find the Gaps",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":800,"children":801},{},[802],{"type":170,"value":803},"A POA is only as good as what’s written in it. And in the Medicaid world, time is often the enemy. If you or a loved one may need care within the next few years, now’s the time to make sure your documents are ready.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":805,"children":806},{},[807],{"type":170,"value":808},"Want a second opinion on your Power of Attorney? We’re here to help.",{"type":165,"tag":377,"props":810,"children":811},{},[],{"title":23,"searchDepth":24,"depth":24,"links":813},[814,819,820,821],{"id":654,"depth":24,"text":660,"children":815},[816,817,818],{"id":673,"depth":383,"text":679},{"id":701,"depth":383,"text":707},{"id":722,"depth":383,"text":728},{"id":736,"depth":24,"text":742},{"id":755,"depth":24,"text":761},{"id":792,"depth":24,"text":798},"content:blog:does-your-power-of-attorney-actually-work-for-medicaid-planning.md","blog/does-your-power-of-attorney-actually-work-for-medicaid-planning.md","blog/does-your-power-of-attorney-actually-work-for-medicaid-planning",[826],{"_path":827,"_dir":828,"_draft":7,"_partial":7,"_locale":8,"title":829,"description":830,"name":161,"role":831,"imageUrl":832,"leadership":833,"order":834,"imageAlt":835,"body":836,"_type":26,"_id":960,"_source":28,"_file":961,"_stem":962,"_extension":31},"/about-us/team/michael-rutkowski","team","Michael Rutkowski","Michael L. Rutkowski is a husband, #girldad, entrepreneur, and estate planning attorney who lives his life with intention, grit, and an unshakable sense of purpose. He owns and operates four growing companies—including Rutkowski Law Firm, one of Michigan’s leading estate planning and elder law firms — but he’ll be the first to tell you: business success means nothing if you’re not winning at home.","Founder / Attorney","/img/team/michael-rutkowski.webp",true,1,"Head shot of Michael Rutkowski",{"type":20,"children":837,"toc":955},[838,857,862,867,872,877,883,888,894,931,937],{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":839,"children":840},{},[841,843,848,850,855],{"type":170,"value":842},"Michael L. Rutkowski is a husband, #girldad, entrepreneur, and estate planning attorney who lives his life with intention, grit, and an unshakable sense of purpose. He owns and operates four growing companies—including Rutkowski Law Firm, one of Michigan’s leading ",{"type":165,"tag":173,"props":844,"children":845},{"href":349},[846],{"type":170,"value":847},"estate planning",{"type":170,"value":849}," and ",{"type":165,"tag":173,"props":851,"children":852},{"href":264},[853],{"type":170,"value":854},"elder law",{"type":170,"value":856}," firms — but he’ll be the first to tell you: business success means nothing if you’re not winning at home.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":858,"children":859},{},[860],{"type":170,"value":861},"Mike starts every day at 4:00 a.m. with the same rhythm—Bible, journal, gratitude, workout, cold plunge, meditation. His commitment to daily habits has transformed every area of his life, from his health to his mindset to his ability to lead others. In his mid-40s, he’s in the best shape of his life—physically, spiritually, and professionally.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":863,"children":864},{},[865],{"type":170,"value":866},"His passion for estate planning was born out of personal moments—friends and family starting families of their own and turning to him for help. What began as a few conversations quickly became a calling: to help people protect what matters most. Today, Mike’s work empowers thousands of families across Michigan to preserve their legacies, shield their life savings, and plan ahead with confidence.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":868,"children":869},{},[870],{"type":170,"value":871},"At home, Mike is surrounded by his real why—his wife Katie and their three daughters, who fill the family calendar with competitive dance, volleyball, and nonstop joy. Katie is a visionary in her own right, leading Headquarters Mental Wellness, a dynamic mental health collective designed to connect people with care that actually fits their lives. Together, they’ve created a home that’s faith-filled, high-energy, a little crazy, and full of love—the kind of household where the Wi-Fi is never fast enough, but the laughter is loud and constant.",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":873,"children":874},{},[875],{"type":170,"value":876},"Mike also serves as the Director of Fitness for Rise Up Kings, where he helps faith-driven men become stronger leaders in their businesses and in their homes. Whether he’s coaching clients, leading teams, or cheering from the sidelines of a tournament, one thing is clear: Mike lives what he teaches.",{"type":165,"tag":441,"props":878,"children":880},{"id":879},"education",[881],{"type":170,"value":882},"Education",{"type":165,"tag":166,"props":884,"children":885},{},[886],{"type":170,"value":887},"Mike’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a major in Sales and Business Marketing from Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business. Mike earned his Juris Doctor, with a concentration in Business Transactions, through Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School’s challenging accelerated two-year program. 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