Top Best Estate Lawyers | 18703 Available

Gerkin & Decker, P.C. is bringing a fresh perspective and a new energy to the practice of law in Livingston County. By combining integrity, knowledge, flexibility and convenience with a commitment to serve, we will create a comfortable experience for our clients and provide the best legal advice for those needing family law, estate and business counsel, and criminal law services.. Hometown Attorneys, Your Partners for Success

I worked in higher education and fundraising for 7 years before going to law school.  During my years in law school, I worked at a private firm and in the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, and worked for the Patients Rights Council, a non-profit organization devoted to protecting the rights of the medically vulnerable.  This sparked my interest in estate planning, elder issues, and end of life medical ethics.. After graduation, I worked as in-house counsel for a biotech software company and started my solo law practice on the side.  Since then, I have left the company, renewed my affiliation with the Patients Rights Council, and expanded my law practice, focusing on serving the personal and business legal needs of the members of our community.

Estate Planning Attorney – Biography. Matthew V. Piwowar is a metro Grand Rapids based Estate Planning Attorney. He is also the principal and founder of Legacy Architects PLLC. His practice focuses on Estate Planning, Trusts and Wills, Planning for Special Needs Children, Business Succession Planning, Long-Term Care Planning, and Probate. He has over 27 years of experience advising on estate planning, business law, mergers & acquisitions, finance, and international law.  While practicing international law he traveled to and advised clients in over 25 countries. Mr. Piwowar was born in Marquette, Michigan, and grew up in West Michigan.  He provides services to his clients statewide, from Grandville and Grand Rapids, south to Three Rivers and Kalamazoo, north to Boyne City and St. Ignace, and east to Ann Arbor.. Experience. Piwowar’s career started in Grand Rapids where he practiced business and tax law. After assisting in the establishment of a Polish Sister City with Grand Rapids, he stayed in Poland for seven years. While there, he assisted with the privatization of government companies and the development of new financial products in Central Europe.. His diverse background includes such transactions as: the sale of a Polish beer brewery, the purchase of a Minnesota software company, the acquisition of staffing companies in Spain, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, India and Indonesia, and the financing of a 40-story office building in Central Europe. He co-developed the first commercial paper program in Poland after the fall of Communism, for an American auto makers’ $40 million offering. While living in Europe, he acted on behalf of two American mutual funds in Central Europe.. He assisted numerous companies open offices and start new businesses in the US and in a variety of countries. As in-house counsel for a Fortune 500 company, Piwowar served as Vice President and Assistant Secretary.  While in that capacity he was responsible for managing all legal services for its 26 country $1 billion international business. In addition, his responsibilities included all foreign and domestic acquisitions. He has been a speaker on such topics as business startups, estate planning, living trusts, and special needs trusts.. Piwowar has extensive experience providing a wide array of legal services including: (i) estate planning, and business succession planning, (ii) living trusts, special needs trusts, and cottage trusts (iii) corporate legal service (iv) mergers and acquisitions, and (v) business plans and startup services.  Especially relevant, Mr. Piwowar has prepared living trusts for hundreds of clients and counseled them through the estate plan design process.  Additionally, he has spoken at numerous workshops teaching the public about estate planning.. Education, Memberships & Publications. Piwowar received his double major Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Social Science, magna cum laude from St. Mary’s College, Orchard Lake, Michigan.  His Juris Doctor degree was earned from the University of Michigan Law School. Subsequently, he received training as an estate planning attorney through the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys Advanced Practice Program.. Mr. Piwowar has authored articles in the Legal Advisor’s Automotive Report.  In addition, he was a co-author of  articles for the International Financial Law Review, and the Banking Yearbook.  After returning to America, he was an adjunct professor at Grand Valley State University for Business Law, and University of Phoenix for History of the U.S. Constitution. Piwowar is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Michigan Forum of Estate Planners, and a full member of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys.

As a client of the Bernal Law Office, you can expect to receive personal and professional attention. When meeting with you, it is my intention to get the facts of your case and to understand your personal preferences for a desired outcome before I offer advice. Every person is just as different from one another as the problems to be solved. For example, two people can have the exact same goal of forming an estate plan, but that doesn't mean that they need the same estate plan. I understand that there are other things to consider, such as assets needing protection, family needs, health, and future goals. You can expect me to take the time to get to know you and your circumstances and to craft a solution that fits your needs whether you have come to me for estate planning, a real estate transaction, bankruptcy, a family law matter, or litigation. My goal as your attorney is to be a qualified advocate working for you.. You can also expect prompt service. I will take the time necessary to responsibly and diligently complete the task without delay. You will be kept informed as to the status of your transaction as it progresses and are encouraged to contact me at anytime with questions that you may have. I am happy to assist you in any way that I can.. Finally, I understand that you work hard for your money because I do also! You will get the most cost-effective service that I can provide. I will do the work that is necessary without inflating the bill. I will present you with the options to solving your problem, provide you with my advice on the best option, communicate cost expectations, and allow you to make an informed decision as to how to proceed. You will be treated with respect and honesty as we work together to solve your legal needs.

Hi, my name is Julie Jacot. I've been a practicing attorney for 25 years.  For the last 15 years, I have specialized in probate, trust administration, deeds, and estate planning (Wills, Trusts, powers of attorney).. I was born and raised in Genesee Township Michigan where I live today.  I graduated from Kearsley High School before attending the University of Michigan where I obtained a Bachelors of Arts degree.  I graduated cum laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and was 8th in my class.. My professional philosophy is to ensure that my clients are comfortable with me, to explain their legal issue in plain language, and to know that my clients have a good understanding their particular issue when they leave my office.

Mr. Parnell is a founding partner at Lubera & Parnell, P.L.C., where he brings a practical and solutions-oriented approach to a diverse legal practice. Prior to joining Lubera & Parnell, PLC, Mr. Parnell Jr. practiced with his father in their family practice until Mr. Parnell, Sr. retired.. While he started his practice focusing on criminal defense, landlord tenant, and general civil matters; he now concentrates his work in the areas of real property litigation, estate planning, estate administration, probate and trust litigation, and family law. With a strong commitment to personalized service, Mr. Parnell represents individuals, families, and closely held businesses through a wide range of legal challenges and transitions.. Mr. Parnell has extensive experience navigating complex property disputes, guiding clients through the intricacies of trust and estate matters, and advocating effectively in emotionally charged family law proceedings. His thoughtful approach to estate planning ensures that clients’ wishes are clearly documented and carried out, while minimizing potential conflicts and protecting family legacies.. He is a regular presence in the circuit and probate courts of Wayne, Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair Counties, where he has developed a reputation for thorough preparation, strategic thinking, and professional integrity.. In his free time, Mr. Parnell  enjoys boating and is active in a variety of community organizations; including sitting as the Vice Commander of the Grosse Pointe Farms Police Reserve Unit and coaching baseball and travel baseball.. Mr. Parnell’s clients appreciate his responsiveness, attention to detail, and ability to explain complex legal concepts in clear, understandable terms. Whether working with individuals planning for the future or families navigating difficult transitions, he is committed to delivering effective legal solutions tailored to each client’s unique circumstances.

Hakim & Mehanna, PLLC is a full service law firm located in St. Clair Shores, in the heart of Macomb County. The firm is comprised of three experienced attorneys, Maroun J. Hakim, Nijad G. Mehanna, and Alyia Hakim Mehanna. Our specialties include Criminal Defense, Immigration, Family Law, Estate Planning, Civil Litigation, Business Transactions, Social Security Disability and Real Estate. Our primary practice localities are Wayne, Macomb and Oakland Counties.

Born in Richmond, Virginia, on October 13, 1966.  In 1989, Michael graduated with honors from the University of Windsor, Canada, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Political Science.  He later received his Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit and was admitted into the bar in 1992.  Since 1996, he has been a managing partner of Mihelich & Kavanaugh, PLC.

After obtaining my Bachelor Degrees in 2004, I worked in the areas of marketing, residential real estate, and residential construction.  After finishing Law School in 2011 I worked as an Associate Attorney for Dickinson Wright in its Banking & Bankruptcy Group and represented banks during commercial loan transactions and work-outs.  In 2013, I joined Baltus, Kapoor & Associates, PLLC, in Troy, Michigan, where I expanded my practice to include estate planning, real estate, and small business planning.  As a founding Member of La Grasso, Abdo & Silveri, PLLC, I continue to pursue my passion of helping families and individuals achieve their estate planning, real estate, and small business planning goals.

Practice areas:  I am in full-time practice in the field of Elder Law, Estate Planning, and Medicaid benefits.. Birthplace:  I was born in Athens, Greece, but grew up in Wyandotte, Michigan, downriver from Detroit.. Family:  I married in 2007.  Our son was born in early 2010, and our daughter in 2015.. Outside interests:  Since completing the 2003 Michigan Bar exam, I've engaged in many hundreds of performances as a professional musician in and around Detroit, including as a lead guitarist with pianist/vocalist Jarrod Champion and as rhythm guitarist in the swing ensembles of world-renowned Detroit jazz master Wendell Harrison.

Although I have been an attorney for a short period of time, I have worked at Caputo Brosnan P.C. for 21 years as a legal assistant and that experience have proven to be invaluable.