1What Happened
The Michigan Legislature passed two bills this session that modify requirements for durable powers of attorney and certain trust documents. Under the updated provisions, specific language around agent authority has been clarified, and witnessing requirements for certain documents have been amended. The changes are effective for documents executed after the bills' signing date. Existing documents are not automatically invalidated but may benefit from review.
2The Detroit Angle
In Metro Detroit, multi-generational households are common — adult children serving as agents for aging parents, grandparents with assets tied to homes in Detroit, Dearborn, or Southfield. When estate document language doesn't meet current Michigan standards, families discover the gap at the worst possible moment: during a health crisis or after a death. For Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb county residents, a simple document review now can prevent a costly probate situation later.
3Janine's Take
This is exactly why I tell every client that estate planning isn't a one-time event. Laws change, families change, assets change. If your power of attorney or trust documents are more than two or three years old, it's worth having them reviewed by an estate attorney — and making sure your beneficiary designations on all accounts still match your wishes. Our estate planning guide covers the essentials every Michigan retiree should have in place.
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