Best Probate Lawyers in Westland

Frequently Asked Questions

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

  For non-emergency cases, you may contact the Westland Police Department at 734-722-9600.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Westland, Michigan?

  To obtain a copy of police reports, you may access the MiCOURT Case Search website at https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/?redirectUrl=%2Fcourt%2FD18.

• Can you challenge a will in Westland?

  Yes. You can challenge a will in Westland if you believe that the deceased did not have the physical or mental ability to create and sign the will, there was undue influence or fraud involved, or the will was not signed properly as the state required, which is to have two witnesses and a notary present during the signing of the will.

• What happens if someone dies without a will in Westland?

  When someone dies without a will in Westland, their assets are distributed according to intestate succession laws, with the surviving spouse as the primary heir, receiving the largest share. If there is no spouse, the assets pass to the descendants, such as children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. If no descendants exist, the parents, followed by siblings, nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives, will inherit the estate. Assets may go to the grandparents and their descendants if none of these relatives exist.

• Can you avoid probate in Westland?

  Yes, you can avoid probate in Westland. You can create a living trust to transfer assets to a trustee who can distribute them to beneficiaries without court involvement. You can also opt for joint ownership with a right of survivorship for properties, payable-on-death designations for bank accounts, and transfer-on-death registrations for securities and vehicles.

• How is a personal representative appointed in Westland?

  A personal representative in Westland is usually named in the decedent’s will. If there is no named personal representative in the will or there is no will, the probate court will appoint one to handle the decedent’s estate based on priority, such as the surviving spouse or a child over 18 years of age. Once appointed, the personal representative will be in charge of managing and distributing the decedent’s estate to the beneficiaries and heirs.

• What makes a will invalid in Westland?

  In Westland, modifying the statutory will form by adding or removing words can render it invalid. To make changes to a specific portion of the will, it is advisable to revoke the existing will entirely and create a new one. If your will is not properly filled out and signed, and there are no witnesses during the signing, it will also be rendered invalid.