Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C.

  • Established in 1902
  • Firm Size 97

  • Peer Reviews

    4.7/5.0 (225)
  • Profile Visibility [ i ]
    • #4 in weekly profile views out of 259 Law Firms in Lansing, MI
    • #162 in weekly profile views out of 314,913 total law firms Overall
Attorney Awards
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating
  • Champion Badge Reviewed
About Attorney Awards

Trust & Estate Administration

Trust and estate administration can often be unintentionally challenging due to a variety of reasons such as changing laws, family dynamics, and the estate planning tools selected.

Institutional and individual clients such as business owners, professionals, families, and retirees are among the clients who seek our counsel. The issues our trust and estate administration attorneys regularly handle on behalf of administrators include: 

  • Identification of proper tax-planning techniques
     
  • Discretionary distributions of income or principal to one or more beneficiaries
     
  • Acquisition, disposition and expenditure of assets
     
  • Complex will contests
     
  • Trust administration disputes
     
  • Fiduciary malpractice defense 
     
  • Probate and trust litigation matters
     
  • Preparation of notices, accountings, petitions, and orders for the Court in addition to both estate and income tax returns

Foster Swift attorneys practicing in this area are highly regarded by peers and clients for their legal skills and professionalism.  More than half the group is recognized in Best Lawyers in America and three are members of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, an elite organization of the top estate planning and administration attorneys in the country.

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

Obtained a full refund of assessed penalties on large estate due to professional tax preparer error

Analysis of Decedent's Income Tax Issues whom Failed to File Year Prior

Successfully defended trustee in probate court litigation against a disgruntled sibling's allegations

Drafting of Tax Planning Trusts

People (97)

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Glen Schmiege
Senior Attorney
No Reviews
Lansing, MI

Oil & Gas Law, Administrative & Regulatory Law, Energy, Municipal & Public Entity, Telecommunications View More

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Allison Collins
Associate
No Reviews
Lansing, MI

Administrative & Regulatory Law, Agri-Business, Agricultural Law, Appellate Practice, Criminal Law, Discrimination - Unlawful Harassment, Employment Litigation, Environmental Law, General & Commercial Litigation, Insurance Defense, Mass Tort, Negligence Law View More

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Thomas Dillon
Associate
No Reviews
Grand Rapids, MI

Business & Corporate, Business Law, Employee Benefits, Entity Selection, Organization & Planning, Real Estate Law, Tax Law View More

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Michael Zahrt
Associate
No Reviews
Lansing, MI

Organization & Planning, Agri-Business, Agricultural Law, Business & Corporate, Business Succession Planning, Employee Benefits, Entity Selection, Family Owned Businesses, Federal Taxation, International Taxation, Michigan Tax, Probate & Estate Planning, Startup Entrepreneurial Emerging Development (S.E.E.D), State and Federal Audits and Tax Disputes, Tax Law, Taxation View More

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John Mashni
Associate
No Reviews
Lansing, MI

Business & Corporate, Cybersecurity, Employee Benefits, Federal Taxation, Information Technology Law, Intellectual Property Law, International Taxation, Michigan Tax, Non-Profit Corporate Law, Religious Liberty Law, School Law Services, Startup Entrepreneurial Emerging Development (S.E.E.D), State and Federal Audits and Tax Disputes, Entertainment, Taxation, Technology Law, Comm., Religious Liberty Law, Arts, Comm., Entertainment & Sports, General Practice View More

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Robert Easterly
Associate
No Reviews
Grand Rapids, MI

Alternative Dispute Resolution, Business & Corporate, Criminal Defense, Criminal Law, Family Law, General & Commercial Litigation, Immigration Law, Litigation, Marijuana Law, Marijuana Law, Estate Planning, General Practice View More

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Mark DeLuca
Associate
No Reviews
Lansing, MI

Organization & Planning, Business Law, Business Succession Planning, Entity Selection, Federal Taxation, Probate & Estate Planning, Start Up Entrepreneurial Emerging Development (S.E.E.D), Tax Law, Taxation, Trust & Estate Administration, Trust & Estate Litigation, Trusts & Estates View More

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Taylor Gast
Associate
No Reviews
Lansing, MI

Divestitures, Acquisitions, Business & Corporate, Business Contracts, Business Purchase & Sale, Commercial Law, Contracts, Cybersecurity, Employee Benefits, Entity Selection, General Counsel, Information Technology Law, Intellectual Property Law, Mergers, Property Tax Law, Administrative Law, Real Estate Law, Securities, Startup Entrepreneurial Emerging Development (S.E.E.D), Taxation, Technology & Science View More

Peer Reviews

4.7/5.0 (225 reviews)

  • Legal Knowledge

    4.7/5.0

  • Analytical Capability

    4.7/5.0

  • Judgment

    4.7/5.0

  • Communication

    4.7/5.0

  • Legal Experience

    4.7/5.0

  • 5.0/5.0 Review for Michael Oliva by a Partner on 07/27/14 in Administrative Agency Practice

    I've known Mike for almost 40 years. He's a first-rate lawyer and a first-rate individual.

    Flag review

  • 5.0/5.0 Review for Michael Oliva by a Sole Practitioner on 07/19/14 in Business Law

    An absolutely excellent attorney.

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Peer reviews submitted prior to 2008 are not displayed.

Client Reviews Write a Review

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