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Estate Planning
Plan. Protect. Prosper.
Grand Rapids Estate Planning Firm
Personalized Estate Planning for Grand Rapids Families & Business Owners
Without an estate plan, Michigan law decides who receives your assets, not you. At Inhulsen Law, we’ve helped Grand Rapids individuals, families, and business owners take control of that decision since 2006. John Inhulsen leads every client relationship personally, bringing a background in business litigation that most estate planning attorneys don’t have. That means he’s already thinking about the legal and financial risks that could surface in your plan before they become problems.
John has been selected to Michigan Super Lawyers every year from 2013 through 2025 and recognized in Best Lawyers in America since 2019. In 2024, Grand Rapids Kids readers named him Best Attorney for Wills and Trusts. These aren’t just accolades. They reflect a consistent record of serving Grand Rapids families with estate plans designed to hold up when it matters. We offer a complimentary consultation to get started.
Ready to protect your family’s future? Call (616) 345-2810 or contact us online to schedule your complimentary consultation.
Estate Planning Services We Offer in Grand Rapids
Michigan Estate Planning: What the Law Requires You to Know
Estate planning rules vary by state, and Michigan’s probate procedures, statutory requirements, and incapacity laws have real consequences for families who haven’t planned carefully. Working with a Grand Rapids estate attorney who understands these rules helps keep your documents valid, enforceable, and structured to reflect what you intend.
A few Michigan-specific realities every plan should address:
- The Michigan probate process can be time-consuming and public without proper planning. A revocable living trust is one tool that can help assets pass to beneficiaries outside of probate court.
- Certain assets, including retirement accounts and life insurance, transfer by beneficiary designation rather than through your will. These must be coordinated with your overall plan to avoid unintended outcomes.
- If you become incapacitated without a durable power of attorney or advance healthcare directive in place, a court may need to appoint a guardian or conservator to manage your affairs.
- Estate and trust administration in Michigan must follow specific statutory procedures, and errors in execution or document preparation can create delays and additional costs for your family.
- Michigan intestate succession law governs who inherits when someone dies without a valid will. The outcome may not reflect what that person would have wanted.
A well-drafted estate plan can help keep assets moving efficiently, limit court involvement, and reduce the administrative burden on your family. We also recommend reviewing your plan after major life events: marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a move, business growth, or a significant change in financial circumstances.
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“Creative & Honest Approach”
“- Joshua S.If you are looking for an attorney who will truly help you build the life you deserve, then look no further Inhulsen Law. As an attorney who has the opportunity to collaborate with John, I can attest to his depth of knowledge as well as his commitment to excellence. Whether you need assistance with the complexities of business formation and planning or building and estate plan to protect the future of your family, John will apply a creative and honest approach that will make you instantly realize you made the right choice hiring Inhulsen Law.
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“Highly Recommend”
“- Scott L.As a lawyer, I have had the privilege of collaborating with Attorney John Inhulsen, and his professionalism and expertise are truly exceptional. John's deep understanding of the law, combined with his unwavering commitment to his clients, sets him apart in our field. He approaches each case with meticulous attention to detail and a strategic mindset that consistently leads to favorable outcomes. His integrity and dedication make him not just a formidable attorney but also a trusted colleague. I highly recommend John to anyone seeking top-notch legal representation.
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“Highly Recommend”
“- Kristi B.John was an incredible asset to my partners and I as we worked through an operating agreement to get our business off the ground. He helped me truly understand some very complex documents, and navigate some touchy and trying conversations. The combination of John’s book smarts and emotional intelligence is what makes him an outstanding attorney and person. I’m so thankful for John’s guidance, and highly recommend choosing him to be in your corner!
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“Excellent”
“- Jason B.We can’t say enough great things about John and his team. They know their stuff and they're a joy to meet with. They have a knack for taking complex considerations, making those make sense, and helping to map out clear next steps. Bottom line: excellent partners to have in your corner.
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What a Completed Estate Plan Actually Does for You
Estate planning gives you control that Michigan’s default rules won’t. Without a plan, state intestate succession law determines who receives your assets. With one, you decide who inherits, how much, and under what conditions. That distinction matters most when the stakes are highest.
- Asset control: You determine who receives your assets, how they receive them, and when. This helps prevent unintended beneficiaries and helps ensure your wishes are carried out.
- Protecting minor children and special needs dependents: Trust structures can control how and when funds are distributed to minor children or beneficiaries with special needs, rather than delivering assets in a lump sum at an arbitrary age.
- Incapacity planning: Powers of attorney and advance healthcare directives authorize trusted individuals to manage your financial and medical affairs if you become incapacitated. Without these documents, a court proceeding may be required.
- Reducing family conflict: A clear, legally binding plan reduces the risk of disputes among family members by explicitly documenting your intentions.
- Probate and cost reduction: A well-crafted estate plan can help your heirs avoid the lengthy, public Michigan probate process and may reduce administrative costs and tax exposure for your estate.
- Business continuity: Business owners can establish a succession plan within their estate plan so the business can continue operating after death or incapacity.
Knowing your affairs are in order brings real confidence. Let us help you build a plan that reflects your goals and is designed to hold up when your family needs it most.
How the Estate Planning Process Works at Inhulsen Law
Many people delay estate planning because they don’t know what to expect. At Inhulsen Law, we keep the process straightforward and walk you through each stage clearly.
- Step 1 – Initial Consultation: We discuss your goals, assets, family structure, and any concerns about taxes, long-term care, or asset protection.
- Step 2 – Strategy Development: Based on your objectives, we design a customized estate plan that may include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives.
- Step 3 – Drafting and Review: We prepare your documents and walk you through each provision so you fully understand how your plan works.
- Step 4 – Execution and Implementation: We execute your documents in accordance with Michigan law and assist with funding trusts and updating beneficiary designations.
- Step 5 – Ongoing Support and Updates: Life changes, and your estate plan should keep pace. We remain available to update your plan as your circumstances evolve.
We treat estate planning as an ongoing relationship, not a one-time transaction. That approach reflects how John Inhulsen works: personally involved from the first conversation through every update that follows.
Estate Planning Is for Everyone, Not Just the Wealthy
A common misconception is that estate planning is reserved for the very wealthy or for people approaching retirement. That’s not accurate. Anyone who wants control over their assets, their healthcare decisions, and who cares for their children has a reason to plan.
Plans range from a straightforward will and durable power of attorney to layered strategies involving multiple trusts, business succession arrangements, and substantial investment portfolios. What determines the right approach isn’t wealth. It’s the complexity of your situation and your goals. A medical emergency can happen at any age, and incapacity documents matter just as much at 35 as they do at 65. Whether your estate consists of a home and a bank account or a mix of real estate, business holdings, and investment accounts, a tailored plan puts you in control of the outcome.
Why Grand Rapids Clients Choose John Inhulsen for Estate Planning
John Inhulsen has practiced as a Grand Rapids estate planning attorney since 2006, and his practice reflects something most estate attorneys don’t bring to the table: direct experience in business litigation. That background means he approaches every estate plan with an eye toward the legal and financial risks that often go unaddressed until they become disputes. For families and business owners who want a plan built with long-term durability in mind, that distinction matters.
The credentials reflect a consistent record. John has been selected to Michigan Super Lawyers every year from 2013 through 2025, recognized in Best Lawyers in America since 2019, named a Top Lawyer by Grand Rapids Magazine, and chosen as Best Attorney for Wills and Trusts by Grand Rapids Kids readers in 2024. These recognitions come from peers and clients alike.
We prioritize clear communication and a personal, approachable experience at every stage. Inhulsen Law integrates business and estate planning for entrepreneurs who need both sides of that equation handled by one attorney who understands how they connect. We offer a complimentary consultation so you can ask questions and understand your options before making any decisions.
Take the next step with a trusted Grand Rapids estate planning attorney. Contact Inhulsen Law today to schedule your complimentary consultation.