Welcome to The Probate Lawyer Family Feud Blog. I am Andrew W. Mayoras, an attorney in the Metro-Detroit area who has been specializing in probate litigation, an interesting and challenging field of law, for about 11 years. I am a partner in Barron, Rosenberg, Mayoras & Mayoras, P.C., in Troy (Oakland County), Michigan. I head a division of the law firm called The Center for Probate Litigation. I graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1995.
But what exactly is a "probate litigation" attorney you ask? Good question! "Probate Litigation" consists of legal disputes about issues related to aging, disability and death. It involves court battles over those still alive, such as guardianships and conservatorships, as well as legal fights over powers of attorney, patient advocate designations, and living wills. It also includes legal challenges when someone has passed on, including cases involving wills, trusts, estates, asset disputes, joint bank accounts, gifts, and anything else that families can fight about when a loved one dies.
At my law firm, we often call these "family feuds", because they often involve family infighting -- but not always! Many probate litigation cases center around families trying to protect loved ones, or recover property or money from an outsider, such as a caregiver, financial planner, insurance or annuity salesman, or "significant other". These situations often involve some form of financial exploitation.
In this blog, I will educate and entertain about probate litigation topics, through discussions of legal issues and interesting national interest stories and cases. Most people have read about Anna Nicole Smith and her many legal challenges (both before and after she died). She is not alone: the families of Britney Spears, Heath Ledger, James Brown, Leona Helmsley, and many other celebrities have similar tales. Plus, there are dozens of other fascinating stories that few people know about. Aside from being intriging, these true case stories serve as a great way to educate people about what they and their families can do to protect themselves -- and their legacies -- so their families don't end up the same way.
While I practice law only in Michigan, the advice I will share can help people in every state, with some exceptions here and there. Of course, the information provided in this blog is not intended to substitute for legal advice, and no one should rely on this for his or her own particular situation. Instead, if you find yourself in the middle of a probate litigation mess, or you want to make sure your family doesn't end up in one, you need to talk to a qualified attorney in your state. I am glad to help those with problems in the State of Michigan. I also have access to a network of attorneys in other states, so I can assist those looking for legal help elsewhere.
Posted by: Probate attorney Andrew W. Mayoras, co-founder and shareholder of The Center for Probate Litigation and The Center for Elder Law of Troy, Michigan, which concentrate in probate litigation, estate planning, and elder law, among other areas. You can reach him by phone at 248-641-7070 or email at [email protected].