Many families in Macomb and Oakland County think estate planning is just about having a will. It is an easy assumption to make. A will feels like something you can write, sign, and tuck away until it is needed. But that is only one small part of the picture. The truth is, leaving a strong plan behind means more than putting some wishes on paper.
A good estate plan helps your family avoid stress, delays, and conflicts during some of the hardest days they will face. That is especially important when you have young children who depend on you. As an estate planning lawyer in Macomb and Oakland County, we have seen many families miss key steps because they simply did not know what to expect. Here are some things people often get wrong—and how to think about them a little differently.
Thinking a Will Is Enough
A will is a helpful tool, but many families are surprised by how limited it really is. A will has to go through probate court before anything can happen. That process can be long and emotional, filled with paperwork and delays. If the directions in the will are unclear or incomplete, things can get even harder.
People often assume a will avoids probate. It does not. If the goal is to make things quicker and more private for your loved ones, a will might not go far enough. For that, many families rely on tools like a revocable living trust. A trust can move assets more smoothly and skip many of the steps that slow probate down.
We have seen families caught off guard when they realized a will was not as helpful as they expected. A complete plan often includes both a will and a trust, set up properly and updated over time.
Forgetting to Plan for Kids and Guardianship
Protecting children is one of the most important parts of estate planning. Yet, many parents only name a guardian in their will and stop there, thinking it is enough. In some cases, that might work. But in others, it might not be enough protection.
If guardianship plans are not clearly written and legally sound, the court may step in. That creates delays, confusion, or disagreements—things no parent wants during an emergency. Some parents also forget to name backup guardians, which can create gaps if the first choice is not available.
The best time to pick a guardian is before there is any sign of urgency. Thinking ahead gives you the chance to talk with the people you trust, explain your wishes, and make sure you are all on the same page. That kind of planning brings a lot of peace of mind, especially for families with young kids.
Ignoring Updates as Life Changes
Life is not still. Families grow, move, or face changes in relationships. When that happens, estate plans need to grow too. One of the most common mistakes we see is someone writing a will years ago and never looking at it again. That can leave behind gaps or outdated instructions.
Think about all the ways life can shift. Maybe you have had another child or bought new property. Maybe someone named in the plan has passed away or moved far away. Those changes can make older plans confusing or outdated.
Setting aside time every few years to review your documents helps a lot. We often recommend doing it before the holidays begin—it is a quieter point in the year, and a good moment to tie up loose ends. Working with an estate planning lawyer in Macomb and Oakland County during these reviews helps flag early warning signs before anything ever goes wrong.
Not Communicating with Family Members
Many families keep their estate plans private, not wanting to make others uncomfortable. But keeping family members in the dark often backfires later. When no one knows who is in charge or where to find important documents, confusion takes over—sometimes turning into conflict.
You do not need to walk everyone through every detail. But it helps to talk about the basics. Let people know where the paperwork is kept. If someone is named to handle things—like being a trustee or guardian—tell them. That way, they are not caught off guard if their role becomes active in a crisis.
Conversations like this do not always feel easy, but they go a long way in keeping relationships strong and instructions clear. With younger kids in the house, it is also good to keep things age-appropriate. A quick talk like "We are choosing helpers just in case we ever cannot be here" can offer comfort and clarity.
Expecting Online Forms to Cover Everything
It is easy to think a downloadable form or online tool can finish your estate planning in one afternoon. But many of those shortcuts leave out pieces that matter later. Michigan laws around wills, trusts, and probate are not the same as everywhere else. What works in one state will not always work here.
Online forms tend to miss the details that matter locally. That can create problems when a plan is needed, especially if the forms were not signed properly or include unclear instructions. We have seen people rely on documents that looked official but did not match local court expectations.
Every decision in your plan involves people, not just paperwork. Choosing someone to manage the estate or care for your children is not something a form can do well on its own. The best way to make those choices stick—and be respected—is to set them up with help from someone who knows both the law and your family’s needs.
Kata Law PLLC regularly assists families in reviewing existing forms, converting do-it-yourself documents to Michigan standards, and making sure each plan is legally sound for Macomb and Oakland County courts.
Helping Your Family Avoid Mistakes Before They Happen
Planning ahead is not about expecting the worst. It is about offering your family support, even when you are not there. A complete plan helps reduce the chances of stress, conflict, or confusion down the line.
In Macomb and Oakland County, we have seen how simple mistakes can lead to avoidable problems. But we have also seen how a little attention early on can make life easier for everyone involved. Clear plans, open conversations, and regular check-ins help your family stay focused on what really matters—their love for one another and the memories you have shared.
A good estate plan does not wait for things to fall apart. It gets ahead of the common problems before they show up. With the right steps taken now, your family can feel steady, organized, and cared for—long before anything unexpected happens.
Talking with an estate planning lawyer in Macomb and Oakland County can help your family make confident decisions and avoid unnecessary stress. At Kata Law PLLC, we work closely with parents to create clear, lasting plans that actually work when life takes an unexpected turn.
