Irrevocable Trusts Plan. Protect. Prosper.

Irrevocable Trust Attorney in Grand Rapids

Custom Irrevocable Trust Planning for Families & Business Owners

An irrevocable trust is one that generally can’t be altered or revoked after it is created. When you transfer assets into one, you give up direct ownership, and that trade-off is the point: assets held in an irrevocable trust are typically outside your taxable estate and shielded from your creditors. For Grand Rapids residents weighing Medicaid planning, estate tax exposure, or protecting an inheritance for the next generation, an irrevocable trust can accomplish what a revocable living trust can’t.

At Inhulsen Law, we’ve been preparing custom irrevocable trusts for Grand Rapids clients since 2006. John Inhulsen’s recognition by Best Lawyers in America reflects a practice built on careful drafting and practical counsel. His background in commercial law shapes how we approach trust planning: we think about asset exposure, creditor risk, and long-term structure the way a litigator does, not just as a document drafter.

Schedule a complimentary initial consultation to find out whether an irrevocable trust fits your goals. Call us at (616) 345-2810 or reach out through our online contact form.

Types of Irrevocable Trusts & What Each One Does

Irrevocable trusts aren’t a single instrument. Several distinct structures exist under Michigan law, each designed for a specific planning purpose. Knowing which type applies to your situation is the first step toward deciding whether this tool belongs in your estate plan.

Special Needs Trusts

A special needs trust holds assets for a beneficiary who receives means-tested government benefits such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income. If that individual owned the assets outright, they would lose program eligibility. Structured correctly, the trust can supplement those benefits without displacing them.

Medicaid Planning Trusts

Sometimes called a Medicaid asset protection trust, this structure can allow you to qualify for Medicaid long-term care benefits without first spending down all of your assets on care costs. Timing is critical. Michigan follows the federal five-year lookback rule, meaning assets transferred into the trust must move well in advance of anticipated care needs for the transfer to protect those assets from Medicaid spend-down.

Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts

An irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) removes life insurance proceeds from your taxable estate. Because the policy is owned by the trust rather than by you, the death benefit can pass to your heirs without being counted toward estate tax liability, depending on how the trust is structured and funded.

Spendthrift Trusts

A spendthrift trust protects assets for beneficiaries who are still developing sound money-management habits. Creditors of the beneficiary generally can’t reach assets held in a properly structured spendthrift trust, and the trustee controls distributions according to the trust terms.

Charitable Trusts

Charitable lead trusts and charitable remainder trusts can reduce estate tax liability while directing benefits to both loved ones and the causes that matter to you. These structures require precise drafting to satisfy both tax and charitable intent requirements.

Michigan-Specific Rules That Affect Irrevocable Trust Planning

Michigan’s approach to asset protection trusts has an important nuance. Historically, Michigan common law didn’t permit self-settled asset protection trusts, meaning you couldn’t create a trust for your own benefit and shield those assets from creditors. That changed with the Michigan Qualified Dispositions in Trust Act, which now allows a form of self-settled domestic asset protection trust. However, these trusts carry meaningful requirements: the trust must be irrevocable, must use a Michigan-based trustee, and the transferor must sign an affidavit confirming the transfer isn’t intended to defraud creditors. Creditor protections also don’t fully vest until two years after the transfer. For many families, the more straightforward path to asset protection remains structuring a trust for the benefit of another party, such as a spouse or children, rather than for yourself.

Once an irrevocable trust is in place, the trustee operates under the Michigan Trust Code, which imposes duties of loyalty, impartial administration, and ongoing communication with beneficiaries. Vague or ambiguous trust language is one of the most common sources of trust disputes, and precise drafting from the outset can reduce that risk and help the trust carry out your intent.

Continue Reading Read Less

Here When You Need Us

Call us at (616) 345-2810 or fill out the form below to get started.

First Name
Please enter your first name.
Last Name
Please enter your last name.
Cell
Please enter your phone number.

This isn't a valid phone number.
Email
Please enter your email address.

This isn't a valid email address.
How can we help you?
Please make a selection.
Anything else we should know to better understand how we can help?
Please enter a message.
By submitting, you agree to receive text messages from Inhulsen Law at the number provided, including those related to your inquiry, follow-ups, and review requests, via automated technology. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency may vary. Reply STOP to cancel or HELP for assistance. Acceptable Use Policy

Our Clients Say It Best

“The knowledge and professionalism were invaluable.”
“I have been very impressed with Inhulsen law services. The knowledge and professionalism were invaluable. John explained everything clearly and kept me informed throughout the process. I was very pleased with the successful outcome and learned so much from him. I would highly recommend this place!”

- Lourdes B.
“Look no further Inhulsen Law!”
“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.”

- Joshua S.
“Fantastic firm”
“Fantastic firm, very personable and receptive to what you’re looking for. Listened to my mom and I for her estate planning. Angela was also very attentive to our needs. Have a life long partnership. Thank you both!”

- Salty Dog
“You should work with Inhulsen Law.”
“My wife and I had a very positive experience working with Inhulsen Law to update our Will and to put our assets into Living Trusts. The process is very thorough and they take a no-pressure approach to understanding your needs and will give you multiple options, explaining the benefits of each. They use a model where no question is a bad question and will break down what can seem like a complicated process into an easy to understand format. They take a very personal approach to getting to know you and your needs and we never felt rushed, pressured, or confused throughout the whole process. If you want an Attorney who values their clients seeking a long term relationship with you, you should work with Inhulsen Law.”

- Curt W.
“I had an excellent experience working with John”
“I had an excellent experience working with John on our estate planning. He took the time to explain everything clearly, answered all of our questions, and made what initially felt overwhelming into a smooth and stress-free process. We truly appreciated his attention to detail, professionalism, and ability to tailor the plan to our family’s specific needs. We now feel confident knowing everything is in order. We highly recommend John Inhulsen to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and caring estate planning attorney.”

- Becky L.
“I definitely recommend him and his services!”
“I had John draw up my will and was so impressed with how knowledgeable and kind he and his staff were. The process was thoroughly explained and it is a huge relief to have things settled for my kids. I definitely recommend him and his services!”

- Heidi H.
“Answer to prayer!”
“Answer to prayer! My husband and I finally decided it was time to put a Trust and Will in place. It was unnerving to think about estate planning because we did not know who to talk to, where to start or what to expect. Thankfully, after searching the internet for a law firm, we discovered Inhulsen Law. We were more than impressed with the outstanding reviews! Setting up an appointment with John was simple and quick. The entire process was explained to us in an uncomplicated way. In our first meeting with John it was apparent to us that he has a genuine interest in building relationships with people and helping them obtain their goals. John's character is stellar and his knowledge of the law is extensive. It feels good to have a law firm you can trust and someone like John you can reach out to and feel confident he will point you in the right direction.”

- Lori A.
“John's professionalism is first tier.”
“Recently John Inhulsen took time out of his day to call me when I encountered a legal matter over my head. John talked me through it and made me feel so much better about what I was facing. John's professionalism is first tier. Obviously, he knows and understands the legal world, all aspects. I recommend his team highly.”

- Ted L.

View All Reviews

Irrevocable Trusts Within a Complete Estate Plan

An irrevocable trust rarely stands alone. For Grand Rapids families, it typically works alongside a revocable living trust, beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance policies, and sometimes a will. When any of those elements are misaligned, the estate plan can produce results the grantor never intended. We review how each component interacts before recommending a structure.

For business owners, the coordination requirement goes further. A trust holding business interests must align with buy-sell agreements and business ownership documents. A trust that conflicts with those instruments can create complications for the business itself, not just the estate. John Inhulsen’s litigation background means he anticipates those pressure points and structures irrevocable trusts proactively, before a dispute arises rather than after. We work with individuals and business owners throughout Grand Rapids to integrate irrevocable trust planning with business succession so that trust assets and business interests work together rather than at cross purposes.

Talk to an Irrevocable Trust Attorney in Grand Rapids

The right trust structure depends on your assets, your family, and your long-term goals. A complimentary initial consultation gives you a clear picture of whether an irrevocable trust fits your plan and, if so, which structure makes sense. Contact Inhulsen Law at (616) 345-2810 or use our online form to schedule your consultation.

Funding an Irrevocable Trust: Why the Document Is Only the First Step

A signed trust agreement does nothing on its own. An irrevocable trust must be properly funded, meaning assets must actually be transferred into the trust’s name, or those assets remain part of your estate and may not receive the protection the trust was designed to provide.

Funding typically involves recording a new deed for real property, retitling financial accounts into the name of the trust, and transferring any applicable business interests. Each step is deliberate. Because transfers into an irrevocable trust are generally permanent, confirming that the right assets are going into the right structure before funding isn’t just advisable, it’s essential.

Once funded, the trustee carries an ongoing fiduciary duty to manage and distribute trust assets strictly in accordance with the trust terms and for the benefit of the named beneficiaries. At Inhulsen Law, we guide clients through the funding process and coordinate beneficiary designations so the trust can operate as designed from day one.

Continue Reading Read Less

Let’s Start the Conversation

Our team is dedicated to providing personalized legal guidance to help you achieve peace of mind.

Schedule a Consult