Call: 248-792-9193

Michigan Wills and Trust Lawyer

A Will Leaves Your Family Waiting. A Trust Lets Them Move Forward.

You can't predict life's twists and turns—but you can protect your family from the heartache of probate. We'll help you create the right trust to keep your assets secure, honor your wishes, and make life easier for the people you love most.

Attorney helping couple understand their trust options

Trusted by Over 450 Clients with a 4.9 Star Rating

I chose this firm because of the online reviews and they were 100% accurate. Patient, kind, caring, and extremely professional throughout the entire process.

Great law firm, very helpful answering all my questions regarding estate planning.

How a Trust Works

Why a Will Isn’t Enough to Protect Your Family

A will is an important part of any estate plan—but it only addresses one piece of the puzzle. A will alone still leaves your family vulnerable to probate court, public proceedings, potential disputes, and costly delays.

A trust takes protection several steps further. It allows you to privately manage and transfer your assets, minimize court involvement, plan for incapacity, and ensure your wishes are honored without burdening your loved ones.

At Rutkowski Law Firm, we help you design a complete plan built around your family's needs—not just a single document. With the right trust in place, you can protect what matters most, today and for generations to come.
Families Helped
2,400+
Assets Protected
$2 billion+
Year Founded
2012

Comparison

Trust vs. Will

Wills and trusts are both essential tools in estate planning, but they serve different purposes. Understanding the difference helps you make the right decision for your family and future.

Trust

  • Avoids Probate
  • Effective During Lifetime
  • Helps in Incapacity
  • Requires Ongoing Maintenance
  • More Privacy for the Family
  • Can Include Conditions (like age or milestones)
  • Manages Out-of-State Property Easily
  • Controls Asset Distribution After Death
  • Becomes Public Record
  • Can Be Contested in Court
  • Needs Court Oversight
  • Easier to Set Up
  • Names a Guardian for Children

Will

  • Avoids Probate
  • Effective During Lifetime
  • Helps in Incapacity
  • Requires Ongoing Maintenance
  • More Privacy for the Family
  • Can Include Conditions (like age or milestones)
  • Manages Out-of-State Property Easily
  • Controls Asset Distribution After Death
  • Becomes Public Record
  • Can Be Contested in Court
  • Needs Court Oversight
  • Easier to Set Up
  • Names a Guardian for Children

Michigan Trust Law Firm

We’re Here to Help You Protect What Matters

Understanding the difference between a will and a trust is a powerful first step—but you don’t have to figure out the next one alone.

Whether you're planning ahead for peace of mind or facing an urgent family situation, our experienced team is here to guide you with clarity, compassion, and care.

As a dedicated trust lawyer in Michigan, we help families make confident, informed decisions that protect their loved ones and avoid the costly, stressful probate process.

We'll meet you where you are—virtually or in-person—and walk you through every option so you can move forward with confidence.
Little girl with umbrella walking together through a park

Book Initial Consultation: 248-792-9193

Our Process for Helping Families Start a Trust

From your first call to fully funded trust, we make the will and trust process clear, simple, and focused on your family’s peace of mind.

Schedule Your Initial Consultation

  • Friendly conversation—virtual or in-person.
  • Understand your family, goals, and concerns.
  • No pressure, just clear guidance.

Review Your Options

  • Learn the difference between wills, trusts, and other tools.
  • Get personalized recommendations from your trust lawyer.
  • Feel confident in the choices you’re making.

Design Your Custom Plan

  • Tailor a probate-avoiding estate plan to your needs.
  • Ensure alignment with your family’s future and values.
  • Clear, customized, and built around your wishes.

Sign & Notarize Your Documents

  • Walk through every document together.
  • Get everything signed, notarized, and legally solid.
  • All your questions answered—no confusion, no surprises.

Fund Your Trust with Confidence

  • Transfer assets properly into your trust.
  • Get practical support so nothing falls through the cracks.
  • Ensure your plan works when your family needs it.

Enjoy Ongoing Peace of Mind

  • Life changes—we’re here to help when it does.
  • Easily update your plan as needed.
  • Stay protected with long-term partnership and support.
Michael Rutkowski helping a Michigan family avoid probate.

Estate Planning for Michigan Families

Don't leave your family with a useless binder.

Most firms hand you a template and expect you to do the work. We provide a Done-For-You process that handles Trust Funding and Asset Protection.

We specialize in protecting your home from the 5-Year Medicaid Look-Back, ensuring your house stays in your family and out of the state's hands. Plan now so you never become a burden to those you love.

For a Call Back: Pick a time for a quick, 15-minute phone call with our intake team. They will gather your basic details and schedule your strategy session with our Customer Success Director. No tech degree or legal preparation required.

From the Video Library

Learn the ins and outs of estate planning from the estate planning attorney, Michael Rutkowski.

How to Include Cryptocurrency in Your Estate Plan
Estate Planning

How to Include Cryptocurrency in Your Estate Plan

Cryptocurrency can't be titled in a trust, but it can still be part of your estate plan. Attorney Michael Rutkowski explains how to pass on digital assets like Bitcoin using key-based access and trustee instructions.

Michael Rutkowski
Michael Rutkowski

Attorney at Rutkowski Law Firm

How a Trust Works: The Legal Shield for Your Family
Trust Mechanics

How a Trust Works: The Legal Shield for Your Family

A trust isn't just a document; it's a legal shield that avoids Michigan probate and keeps your family's business private. Michael Rutkowski breaks down the mechanics of trust ownership, the 'CEO' role of a trustee, and the critical step of asset fortification.

Michael Rutkowski
Michael Rutkowski

Attorney at Rutkowski Law Firm

When to Start Estate Planning
Estate Planning

When to Start Estate Planning

Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy or the elderly—it’s essential for everyone. But when is the right time to start? In this video, estate planning attorney Michael Rutkowski discusses key life scenarios where estate planning becomes crucial.

Michael Rutkowski
Michael Rutkowski

Attorney at Rutkowski Law Firm

Common Questions About Trusts and Wills

Estate Planning Guide

Estate Planning is an essential process that will protect your assets and ensure you’re your estate is distributed according to your wishes after your death.

Many people make mistakes when creating their estate plan, which can lead to unnecessary stress, confusion, and costly legal battles for their loved ones. Below, our estate planning team put together the top 10 and most common mistakes we see in estate planning.

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Screenshot of Top 10 Estate Planning Mistakes

Guiding the Firm, Protecting Families

Whether you need a will, trust, asset protection plan or are in need of medicaid crisis planning, our team is here to help! We are dedicated to providing you with the best legal representation possible. Call us today to book your consultation.

Meet the Whole Team