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Best Probate Lawyers in Southfield

2024

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Providers

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Website
24901 Northwestern Hwy Suite 418, Southfield, MI 48075
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Forrest Law PLLC is a boutique legal firm focusing on probate matters. Managing attorney Renita L. Forrest assists clients in Southfield with the paperwork and legal procedures related to probate, including administration of deceased estates, conservatorship and guardianship petitions, and estate planning. When a conflict arises, she handles litigation and court representation. Forrest worked as a law clerk for judges at the Wayne County Probate Court, Oakland County Circuit Court, and Michigan Court of Appeals before graduating from law school.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Renita Forrest - Managing Attorney5 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (13)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
One Towne Square, Southfield, MI 48076
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Great Lakes Legal Group, PLLC is a law office with probate lawyers in Southfield. Founded by attorneys Jehan Crump-Gibson and Ayanna Alcendor, the firm's mission is to put clients first and cultivate a relationship built on trust and open communication. Its team of attorneys can help clients in different areas of probate, such as properly drafting a will and professional assistance when the probate court becomes involved. True to its client-first approach, the firm created online resources on estate planning that clients with physical limitations can access anytime and anywhere.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Ayanna Alcendor - Founder10 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Facebook
4.6 / 5 (22)
Google
4.3 / 5 (6)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
26677 W 12 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI 48034
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Cordes Law PLLC is run by Tim Cordes, whose practice areas are probate administration and family law. Cordes is a legal professional with over 12 years of experience helping Southfield residents get through the probate process—from handling court paperwork and contacting creditors, to notifying heirs and distributing assets. Cordes can also help with family matters, divorce, and adoption. He takes a strategic approach to every client's case to better secure an ideal outcome for them.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Timothy Cordes - Principal19 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
29501 Greenfield Rd Suite 224, Southfield, MI 48076
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Ruby Legal Solutions LLC handles probate cases in Southfield and the surrounding areas. The firm helps personal representatives administer a deceased person's estate through formal and informal probate. It also sets up guardianships and conservatorships to protect the welfare of minor children and incapacitated individuals. In addition, it assists in preparing powers of attorney, living wills, and patient advocate designation. Amy M. Ruby, the owner and principal, has more than 12 years of legal experience.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Amy Ruby - Principal16 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Avvo
4.8 / 5 (71)
Google
5.0 / 5 (8)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2250 Butterfield Drive, Suite 240, Troy, MI 48084
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Gaggos Flaggman, PLLC Attorneys & Counselors, is a private legal practice that serves the residents of Southfield and the surrounding areas. It guides individuals and families through the probate process, which includes the distribution of the decedent’s assets. It also offers probate litigation services for disputes regarding the validity of a person’s will or trust, as well as regarding financial and medical decisions. Principal attorney William H. Gaggos has been practicing law for over two decades. He is also a certified public accountant.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (12)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
24361 Greenfield Road, Suite 310, Southfield, MI 48075
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Administration
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

The Legacy Law Firm addresses the legal needs of clients in Southfield and the surrounding communities. It provides legal representation in probate cases, such as challenging distributions and fraudulent wills, recovering stolen funds, and removing personal representatives. It also offers Medicaid planning, guardianship and conservatorship, and estate planning and administration services. Founder and managing partner Moshe B. Newman was named one of the 10 Best Elder Law Attorneys in Michigan by the American Institute of Legal Counsel.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Moshe Newman - Founder and Managing Partner9 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Google
4.6 / 5 (9)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (3)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
838 W. Long Lake Road, Suite 100, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Power of Attorneys
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Great Lakes Family Probate & Estates PLLC works with clients in Southfield and the surrounding areas who need assistance in protecting their estate and their loved ones. The firm provides guidance in crafting individual estate plans, as well as in executing estate and trust administration and probate litigation. Its team of attorneys has experience representing clients in a range of capacities, such as heirs and beneficiaries, trustees, personal representatives, guardians, and conservators in probate courts.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Kimberly Browning - Partner12 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (18)
Google
5.0 / 5 (13)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
42705 Grand River Ave Suite #201, Novi, MI 48375
  • Wills
  • Estate Taxes

Why choose this provider?

Terrasi Law serves high-net-worth families in Southfield and its surrounding communities. The office helps administrators and executors throughout the probate proceedings, including establishing the will's validity, distributing assets to heirs, paying outstanding taxes and debts, transferring property titles to beneficiaries, itemizing the deceased's possessions, and managing creditor's claims. Since 2003, founder Margaret Terrasi has been assisting clients in litigating, drafting, and enforcing trusts and wills. She also handles family law cases like divorce, child custody, and spousal maintenance.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Google
4.4 / 5 (13)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (3)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
26999 Central Park Blvd., Suite 150, Southfield, MI 48076
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Julie E. Gilfix provides legal representation to clients in Southfield and the surrounding areas. Its principal attorney, Julie Gilfix, has been in the industry for over 20 years. She handles matters involving probate, estate planning, elder law, and guardianship. Gilfix also takes on family law cases, such as divorce, child custody and support, and domestic violence. Her additional services include handling appeals for juvenile and criminal matters. She is a member of the Women Lawyers of Michigan.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Julie Gilfix - Principal37 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
6001 N. Adams Road, Suite 135, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Law Office of Matthew A. Ferri, PLLC, is a local firm focusing on estate law, ProActive elder law, and business planning in the Southfield metro. Its services include guiding and representing individuals and families in matters of probate, estate, and trust administration. One of its attorneys, Matthew Ferri, is certified in probate and estate planning by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. He is a Veterans Affairs-accredited attorney and is licensed to practice in the two federal courts of Michigan

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Matthew Ferri - Principal16 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (18)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (14)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
31731 Northwestern Hwy Suite 261W, Farmington Hills, MI 48334
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust

Why choose this provider?

Dallo Estate Planning represents clients in Southfield with probate and trust administration concerns. Sole practitioner Joe Dallo frequently assists heirs in navigating the legal process of estate settlement, which includes lifetime and death probate, estate administration, tax preparation, and litigation. He established his firm in 2017 and has handled approximately 150 probate cases. Dallo also holds an Accredited Investment Fiduciary designation, which allows him to help clients keep their possessions and loved ones protected in various situations.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (56)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
29829 Greenfield Rd Ste 103, Southfield, MI 48076
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Ryan B. Stearn, P.C. represents individuals and families in Southfield. It offers legal solutions for probate matters, handling issues with the assessment of the estate, notifying and identifying heirs, and distribution of assets. It assists with estate planning for asset and creditor protection, wealth preservation, same-sex and unmarried couples' estate, and pet trusts. Ryan has been practicing law since 2000. He is licensed to practice before the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (27)
Google
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
39555 Orchard Hill Place Suite 137, Novi, MI 48375
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate
  • Real Estate

Why choose this provider?

MacDonald Law, P.C., is a firm that serves clients in Southfield. It practices in areas such as probate and estate planning. The firm assists clients in drafting estate plans using tools such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, patient advocate designations, and estates administration. The attorneys at the firm have been representing clients in various disputes including estate matters for over 25 years. MacDonald Law, P.C., also provides legal services in areas such as business law and real estate law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Scott Macdonald - Principal30 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (12)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
26100 American Drive Second Floor, Southfield, MI 48034
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Shea Aiello, PLLC, is a legal practice serving clients across Southfield and the neighboring areas. This firm represents clients in probate and trust administration cases and assists them throughout the legal process. It also provides litigation services and handles legal matters involving estate planning, elder law, business planning, litigation, and investment loss and securities fraud. David J. Shea, the founding and managing partner of the firm, was named a Top Business Litigation Attorney by Crain’s Detroit Business.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (11)
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
17211 W 12 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI 48076
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Stuart J. Snider is a private practice legal firm that serves Southfield. It offers its services in areas including estate planning and probate. The firm assists clients in completing their estate plans by drafting wills, trusts, and durable powers of attorney. It also arbitrates and mediates in estate and trust disputes during the probate process. The Law Offices of Stuart J. Snider also provides its services in matters regarding real estate law. The firm has been serving the community for 40 years.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Stuart Snider - Principal46 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.3
Google
3.9 / 5 (12)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (8)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
37000 Grand River Avenue, Suite 290, Farmington Hills, MI 48335
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Wood, Kull, Herschfus, Obee & Kull, P.C., is a general practice law firm that caters to the legal needs of people in Southfield. Its lawyers assist in managing the probate process, from estate opening and claim handling to asset distribution and closing. They guide successor trustees in trust administration and distribution and represent clients in guardianship and conservatorship cases. The law firm has been in operation since 1996. President Brian Herschfus previously served as vice-chairman of the Southfield Planning Commission.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
David Wood - Of counsel67 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Google
5.0 / 5 (9)
Yelp
4.0 / 5 (4)
Avvo
3.7 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
29777 Telegraph Road, Suite 1630, Southfield, MI 48034
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Power of Attorneys

Why choose this provider?

Ardelean & Dunne, PLLC, is a Southfield law firm that handles probate cases. The firm advises clients on wills that state who inherits their wealth once they pass on, helping them with legal jargon. It helps identify general durable powers of attorney that help clients handle financial matters involving a deceased's will. The firm also assists health care powers of attorney, enabling individuals to decide for their incapacitated loved ones. Ardelean & Dunne also practices bankruptcy law. It has filed a thousand cases in the last three years.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Michael Ardelean - Partner18 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Google
4.9 / 5 (64)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
17520 W. 12 Mile Road, Suite 211, Southfield, MI 48076
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Richelle C. Lester, PLLC, was established in 2013 to handle the estate-related interests of Southfield residents. Its attorney represents clients in the entire estate administration process. The firm also helps administer trusts and finds resolutions to will contests. Additionally, it offers estate planning solutions and arranges guardianship and conservatorships for people who can no longer manage their affairs. Principal attorney Richelle C. Lester has drafted over 2,500 wills. She conducts estate planning seminars and serves as a Guardian ad Litem.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Richelle Lester - Principal27 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Facebook
4.8 / 5 (20)
Google
4.0 / 5 (7)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
28400 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, MI 48034
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Maddin, Hauser, Roth & Heller, PC, is a law firm in Southfield that has been representing local individuals, employees, healthcare professionals, and businesses since 1982. It provides clients with legal advice for estate planning and probate matters. It deals with litigation and dispute resolution, general powers of attorney, life insurance trusts, and conservatorships. Its services also include handling asset protection, durable powers of attorney, qualified domestic trusts, and special-needs trusts. The firm consists of over 40 attorneys who focus on almost 20 practice areas.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
3.8
Google
3.8 / 5 (6)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Southfield, Michigan?

    (248) 796-5500 is the non-emergency contact number of the Southfield Police Department.

  • When is probate required to administer an estate in Southfield?

    In Southfield, probate is required to administer an estate in the following scenarios: 1) If the deceased loved one did not have a will before passing away, 2) if the deceased family member left a will behind but did not have a living trust or a more comprehensive estate plan, and 3) the deceased loved one had a living trust but family members or creditors are contesting the trust.

  • Which court handles probate cases in Southfield?

    Probate cases in Southfield are handled by the Oakland County Probate Court. The court is located at 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Dept. 457, Pontiac, MI 48341. The Probate Court Clerk’s Office accepts filings in person, by mail, or through fax at 248-452-2016. The court does not accept filings through email.

  • How can a probate lawyer in Southfield help in administering the estates of a deceased person?

    A probate lawyer in Southfield can assist in getting a certain family member of the deceased loved one appointed as a personal representative, obtaining a probate bond, preparing the asset inventory and accounts, searching for assets, and determining if someone is an heir. They can also help with transferring assets and real estate, closing the estate, fighting creditors, and handling will contests.

  • How long does probate take in Southfield?

    Probate in Southfield can take about seven months to complete, regardless if it is supervised or unsupervised by the court. However, some probate cases may take a longer time to complete due to several factors, including the size of the estate, the duration of locating a will, appointments of personal representatives, will contests, and disputes with creditors.

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