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

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Andrew Vredenburg
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Grand Rapids, MI

Entity Selection, Organization & Planning, Commercial Litigation, Trade Secret & Noncompete Contracts, Environmental Law, Real Estate Development, Real Estate Law, Construction Law, Mergers & Acquisitions, Strategic Transactions & Alliances, Litigation, Business Law View More

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Jean Schtokal
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Lansing, MI

International Business & Trade, Business & Corporate, Business Contracts, Business Law, General Counsel, Energy, Oil & Gas Law, Agricultural Law, International Law, International Law View More

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Matt Hrebec
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Lansing, MI

General Counsel, Securities Law, Business & Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions, Strategic Transactions & Alliances, Financial Institution Law, Employee Benefits, Corporate Finance, Governance & Securities, Business Contracts, Business Law, Taxation View More

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Thomas TerMaat
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Grand Rapids, MI

Insurance Defense, Commercial Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, General Litigation, No-Fault Litigation, Transportation Law, Negligence Law, Litigation View More

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Stephen I. Jurmu
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Grand Rapids, MI , 
Lansing, MI
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Employee Benefits, Federal Taxation, Business Law, ERISA, Employer Services, Executive Compensation, International Taxation, Michigan Tax View More

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Brian Goodenough
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Lansing, MI

Employer Services, General & Commercial Litigation, Government Law, Insurance Defense, Municipal Law, Workers Compensation Law, Zoning & Land Use View More

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Thomas Meagher
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Lansing, MI

Appellate Practice, Employer Services, General & Commercial Litigation, Government Law, Labor & Employment Law, Real Property Law, Zoning & Land Use, Business, Contracts & Agreements View More

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Todd Hoppe
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Grand Rapids, MI

Hospitality & Liquor Law, Strategic Transactions & Alliances, Agri-Business, Agricultural Law, Aviation Law, Business Succession Planning, Entity Selection, Family Owned Businesses, Federal Taxation, Food, General Counsel, International Taxation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Real Estate, Michigan Tax, Non-Profit Corporate Law, Probate & Estate Planning, Securities Law, State and Federal Audits and Tax Disputes 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.

    Flag review
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