• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Strobl PLLC

Strobl PLLC

Business and Corporate Law Firm

LawPay

(248) 540-2300

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Community Commitment
    • Recruiting
  • Attorneys
    • Henry J. Andries, Jr.

      Henry J. Andries, Jr.

      Member

      Phone: 248.205.2710

      Office: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

      Connect:

      Practice Areas

      Business Law, Commercial Contracts, Corporate Law, Healthcare Law, Labor & Employment, Litigation, Real Estate, Tax

      Experience

      Since 1995, Henry J. Andries, Jr. has engaged in private practice with a concentration in employment law, complex civil litigation...

    • Lynn M. Brimer

      Lynn M. Brimer

      Member

      Phone: 248.205.2772

      Office: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

      Connect:

      Practice Areas

      Banking & Financial Services, Bankruptcy & Creditor's Rights, Business Law, Commercial Contracts, Corporate Law, Litigation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Non-Profit Law, Real Estate, Tax

      Experience
      • Assist taxpayers with representation before the internal Revenue Service, the State of Michigan Department of Treasury and other taxing authorities...
    • Jon P. Everly

      Jon P. Everly

      Managing Member

      Phone: 248.205.2759

      Office: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

      Connect:

      Practice Areas

      Business Law, Commercial Contracts, Corporate Law, Estate & Succession Planning, Non-Profit Law, Real Estate, Tax

      Experience
      • Advises closely held businesses and their owners in a broad range of legal matters, including formation, taxation, succession planning, and...
    • Michael L. Geller

      Michael L. Geller

      Member

      Phone: 248.205.2770

      Office: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

      Connect:

      Practice Areas

      Business Law, Commercial Contracts, Corporate Law, Healthcare Law, Labor & Employment, Litigation, Real Estate

      Experience
      • Advises and assists clients in the creation and structuring of their business entities.
      • Regularly counsels clients relative to employment issues that...
    • Jeffrey T. Goudie

      Jeffrey T. Goudie

      Member

      Phone: 248-205-2767

      Connect:

      Practice Areas

      Banking & Financial Services, Business Law, Commercial Contracts, Corporate Law, Real Estate

      Experience
      • Represents financial institutions in licensing matters, regulatory matters, and transactional matters
      • Provides vendor contract review for financial institutions
      • Litigates title issues and...
    • Evan H. Kaploe

      Evan H. Kaploe

      Member

      Connect:

      Practice Areas

      Bankruptcy & Creditor's Rights, Business Law, Commercial Contracts, Estate & Succession Planning, Mergers & Acquisitions, Tax

      Experience
      • Assists clients involved in audit, appeals, and collection matters with the Internal Revenue Service or State taxing authorities.
      • Represents clients in...
    • Paul M. Kavanaugh

      Paul M. Kavanaugh

      Member

      Phone: 248.205.2711

      Office: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

      Connect:

      Practice Areas

      Banking & Financial Services, Business Law, Commercial Contracts, Corporate Law, Healthcare Law, Labor & Employment, Mergers & Acquisitions, Real Estate

      Experience

      In his more than 30 years of practicing law, he has helped businesses protect their financial and intellectual property, minimize...

    • Michael A. Kus

      Michael A. Kus

      Member

      Phone: 248-205-3090

      Connect:

      Practice Areas

      Banking & Financial Services, Business Law, Commercial Contracts, Corporate Law, Real Estate

      Experience
      • Advises financial institutions on compliance and regulatory laws and policies and procedures
      • Provides guidance and assistance to banks and thereby reducing...
    • Jay R. LaBarge

      Jay R. LaBarge

      Member

      Phone: 248.205.2778

      Office: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

      Connect:

      Practice Areas

      Banking & Financial Services, Business Law, Commercial Contracts, Corporate Law, Estate & Succession Planning, Healthcare Law, Mergers & Acquisitions, Non-Profit Law, Real Estate, Tax

      Experience
      • Advises clients on a full range of real estate matters, including drafting and negotiating purchase agreements and residential, commercial and...
    • Brian J. McCullough

      Brian J. McCullough

      Member

      Phone: 248.205.2715

      Office: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

      Connect:

      Practice Areas

      Business Law, Commercial Contracts, Corporate Law, Estate & Succession Planning, Healthcare Law, Real Estate

      Experience
      • All legal aspects pertaining to healthcare providers, including licensing, certification issues, survey and compliance issues, Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance-related...
    • Pamela S. Ritter

      Pamela S. Ritter

      Member

      Phone: 248.205.2765

      Office: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

      Connect:

      Practice Areas

      Banking & Financial Services, Bankruptcy & Creditor's Rights, Business Law, Commercial Contracts, Corporate Law, Litigation, Real Estate

      Experience
      • Counsel to lenders in a range of loan origination transactions, including commercial and industrial loan facilities, real estate and construction...
    • James A. Rocchio

      James A. Rocchio

      Of Counsel

      Phone: 248.205.2748

      Office: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

      Connect:

      Practice Areas

      Bankruptcy & Creditor's Rights, Business Law, Commercial Contracts, Corporate Law, Estate & Succession Planning, Mergers & Acquisitions, Tax

      Experience

      Mr. Rocchio has deep expertise in the area of taxation. Over the course of his legal career, he has counseled...

    • Nelson B. Stieper

      Nelson B. Stieper

      Of Counsel

      Phone: 248.205.2742

      Office: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

      Connect:

      Practice Areas

      Estate & Succession Planning

      Experience
      • Performs probate and trust administration, revocable and irrevocable trusts, wills, special needs planning, gift planning, and asset protection
      • Advises on divorce,...
    • Thomas J. Strobl

      Thomas J. Strobl

      1942 – 2023

      Phone: 248.205.2713

      Office: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

      Connect:

      Practice Areas

      Banking & Financial Services, Business Law, Commercial Contracts, Corporate Law, Labor & Employment, Mergers & Acquisitions, Real Estate, Tax

      Experience
      • Advises a broad spectrum of purchasers and sellers in merger and acquisition transactions involving primarily private companies.
      • Represents financial institutions and...
  • Expertise
    • Banking & Financial Services
    • Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights
    • Business Law
      • Commercial Contracts
      • Corporate Law
      • Healthcare Law
      • Labor & Employment
      • Mergers & Acquisitions
      • Non-Profit Law
      • Real Estate
      • Tax
    • Estate & Succession Planning
    • Litigation
  • News
  • Contact Us

Why do Unmarried Couples Need an Estate Plan?

May 25, 2021

In a marriage, when one spouse dies or becomes incapacitated the surviving spouse is granted certain rights and preferences under the law. In Michigan, these rights include the guaranteed distribution of a portion of the deceased’s estate to the surviving spouse if the deceased did not leave a will. A spouse also holds the power to make medical decisions for an incapacitated spouse if another party has not been legally designated to do so.

In contrast, unmarried couples in Michigan, regardless of their level of commitment or the length of time they have cohabitated, do not enjoy the same legal status as a spouse.

If you have a life partner but are not married, the best way to protect the rights of your loved one in the event of your death or incapacitation is through estate planning. Within the estate planning process, there are multiple tools available to ensure that your grieving loved one will have the legal rights to direct for your care and to control and succeed to your assets.

• A last will and testament designates a personal representative, commonly referred to as an executor, who will be granted the power to administer your affairs. It also includes your instructions for asset distribution and names guardians for your minor children. While a will is a valuable tool to make your wishes known, it does not avoid probate court and, therefore, is public and can be costly and time consuming. If it is your intention to leave individually owned assets to your unmarried partner, the establishment of a revocable living trust is strongly recommended.

• A revocable living trust details your instructions for the timing, amount, and conditions of asset distribution. It also identifies a “successor trustee” who is authorized to act immediately, avoiding the probate court process and limiting the possibility that another party will be able to successfully challenge your intentions. For example, if you would like to leave your house to an unmarried partner, or even if you would simply like to protect his or her right to continue living in your house for a period of time, a revocable living trust can help ensure your wishes will be carried out. Another advantage to a living trust is that the contents remain private while a will becomes public through the probate process.

• A general and durable power of attorney designates a person to act on your behalf in legal and financial matters while living. By naming your partner as your durable power of attorney, you are giving him or her authority over your assets, either immediately or in the event of your incapacitation, without the expensive and lengthy delay of probate. It is typically effective immediately upon execution and terminates at death.

• A medical or health care power of attorney designates a person to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to do so. By naming your life partner as your patient advocate, he or she will be empowered to make medical and/or end of life decisions for you based on your preferences as communicated to him or her. It is also recommended that you sign a HIPAA certificate granting your chosen patient advocate access to your medical records if you should have an accident or suddenly become ill.

Strobl is a team of experienced and trusted lawyers that can advise on all legal matters relating to estate planning. For more information, visit Strobl online at StroblLaw.com or on LinkedIn.

Uncategorized living together estate plan,  living together patient advocate,  living together power of attorney,  living together trust,  living together will,  unmarried estate plan,  unmarried patient advocate,  unmarried power of attorney,  unmarried trust,  unmarried will

https://www.strobllaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/cropped-strobl_pllc_c.jpg

At Strobl PLLC, our attorneys are committed to your team. We collaborate with clients to share our expertise and guide them to success.

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Attorneys
  • News
  • Contact Us
  • Banking & Financial Services
  • Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights
  • Business Law
  • Estate & Succession Planning
  • Litigation
Follow Us On LinkedIn

(248) 540-2300

33 Bloomfield Hills Parkway, Suite 125
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304

© 2023 Strobl PLLC. All Rights Reserved.