Best Lawyers in Michigan, United States for Trusts and Estates

Joan Skrzyniarz, a member in Dickinson Wright’s Nashville and Troy offices, focuses her practice on Trusts, estate planning, and probate law. She has served as counsel to personal representatives, trustees, and beneficiaries in probate, trust administration, and litigation and has advised individuals and families about guardianship and conservatorship matters.

Tom’s practice includes design and implementation of sophisticated estate plans, active administration of trust accounts, settlement of decedent’s estates, estate taxation, and charitable gift planning. He advises many of Varnum's family business owners and is a member of our Family Business Team. Tom currently serves as the Firm's Executive Partner, one of our two Managing Partners. Previously, he served five years as the chair of the Firm's Estate Planning, Tax, and Employee Ben...

Laura E. Radle is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Trusts and Estates. Laura E., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Laura E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Alan May is a shareholder who is sought after for his experience in guardianships and conservatorships. He has written and lectured extensively and has taught classes at Wayne State University and Oakland University on these topics. He was selected for inclusion in the 2007-2019 issues of Michigan Super Lawyers magazine featuring the top 5% of attorneys in Michigan and has been called by courts as an expert witness on issues of fees and by both plaintiffs and defendants as an expert witness i...

Mr. Curoe concentrates his practice primarily in representing high net worth individuals in estate planning, tax matters and business ventures. He specializes in helping wealthy individuals and business owners protect their assets, grow their businesses, and preserve a legacy for their families and charitable interests. Mr. Curoe also represents financial institutions and individual trustees on trust administration and litigation matters. He is the chair of Bodman's High Net Worth Practice Gr...

Elizabeth Luckenbach is a member in the firm’s Troy office, where she specializes in probate and fiduciary litigation, trust and estate administration, estate planning, and special needs planning. With more than 20 years of experience representing fiduciaries and individuals in all aspects of litigation, administration, and planning, Liz works tirelessly to advocate for her clients, treating each of them with the individual attention they deserve. Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® as an ...

Neil P. Jansen received his bachelor's degrees in Political Science and International Studies from Michigan State University in 1984 and his law degree from Wayne State University in 1988, where he was a member of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court team and Chancellor of the Moot Court Program. Neil practices in the areas of civil and real estate litigation, probate litigation, estate planning and eminent domain. He is a member of the Grand Rapids and American Bar Associations,...

William C. Lentine is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. William C., who practices law in Southfield, Michigan, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ralph A. Castelli Jr. is an attorney with Kemp Klein in Troy, Michigan . His practice focuses on Corporate Law , Real Estate Law , and Trusts and Estates , with an emphasis on advising businesses and individuals on planning, transactions, and long‑term business and ownership strategies. Mr. Castelli works with closely held and family-owned businesses on a wide range of corporate matters, including business planning and structuring, exit planning , shareholder and partner separations, and comp...

Kara Ferrara is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Kara, who practices law in Troy, Michigan, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kara is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Julius H. Giarmarco, J.D., LL.M., is chair of the firm's Trusts and Estates Practice Group. Julius received his law degree from Wayne State University, and his master of laws from New York University. He is licensed to practice law in both Michigan and New York. Julius' primary practice areas include estate planning, business succession planning, wealth transfer planning, and life insurance applications. He is a former instructor in both the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Certified Fina...

J. Thomas MacFarlane works extensively with individuals on estate planning, tax planning and probate matters and with businesses on succession planning and corporate restructuring. Thomas counsels clients on the various wealth preservation strategies which are available to high net worth individuals. He is also frequently asked to represent beneficiaries or fiduciaries in complex estate contests and trust disputes. Tom has represented clients in all aspects of corporate law and has counseled ...

Linsey Gleason is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Linsey, who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Linsey is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Neil specializes in business, estate and gift tax planning, estate planning, probate, business succession planning, and real estate law, representing numerous individuals and businesses with their planning and business issues since 1984. Neil is a member of the estate planning, probate, real property, and business and taxation sections of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan, and the Grand Rapids Bar Association. Neil is a member of the Western Michigan Estate Planning Coun...

Aaron H. Sherbin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Trusts and Estates. Aaron H., who practices law in Southfield, Michigan, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Aaron H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeff’s practice focuses on business law, real estate, and estate planning. He works with many small- and medium-sized companies and handles all of their legal issues, including business transactions, financing, contracts, licensing matters, and real estate transactions. Jeff has special expertise in commercial real estate development and financing and in the ownership, management and transfer of family cottages, farms and vacation properties. He also represents clients in the agricultur...