Wealth Transfer and Estate Planning

Many individuals and families wish to transfer their accumulated wealth to the next generation upon their death in an orderly, cost-effective, and tax-efficient manner. The Michigan estate planning and probate lawyers of O'Reilly Rancilio regularly assist clients in developing and implementing strategies with the following objectives:

  • Ensuring that their assets pass to their intended beneficiaries and heirs in an orderly, cost-effective way consistent with their individual wishes
  • Minimizing or eliminating taxes upon transfer
  • Avoiding probate and its costs and delays in transferring wealth developing personalized plans that take into account our clients' unique needs and wishes based upon their family and business circumstances
  • Preserving assets from depletion from the costs and expenses of long-term care or legal disability

The specific services that our attorneys provide in the estate planning and wealth transfer areas include counseling, preparing, establishing, and implementing tools, such as wills, revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, charitable trusts, special needs trusts, powers of attorney, family limited partnerships and family limited liability companies, gifting plans (and associated gift tax returns), and business succession plans based upon our clients' individual situations.

Our Latest News & Articles
Alyssa Ericson Receives 2026 Mission Award of Excellence from Lansing Catholic High School
Congratulations to Alyssa Ericson on her recent recognition by Lansing Catholic High School with its 2026 Mission Award of Excellence! Each year, Lansing Catholic presents four Mission Awards honoring individuals who embody the cornerstones of Lansin… Read More
Donald P. DeNault, Jr. Named to the 2026 Michigan Legal 250 in Education
O’Reilly Rancilio is pleased to announce that Donald P. DeNault, Jr. has been named to the 2026 Michigan Legal 250 by Lawyers Weekly in the Education category. A lifelong Macomb County resident, DeNault has practiced law with O’Reilly Rancilio P.… Read More
A Win for Michigan Consumers: State Supreme Court Narrows a Key Business Exemption
On July 31, 2026, the Michigan Supreme Court made it harder for regulated businesses to escape consumer-protection claims just because their industry is licensed or regulated by the state. Before the Ruling: A Broad Shield for Regulated Businesses Th… Read More
O’Reilly Rancilio Attorneys Named Super Lawyers
Eight O’Reilly Rancilio attorneys have made the peer-selected Super Lawyers lists. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in Michigan are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Nearly 50,000 attorneys… Read More
Michigan Supreme Court Strengthens Protection for Trust Assets Against Creditors
If you have a retirement account or life insurance policy payable to a trust, a recent Michigan Supreme Court decision now provides more protection. The Court ruled that creditors generally cannot reach 401(k) and life insurance proceeds held in a tr… Read More
FinCEN Reporting Requirements Vacated
A 2024 Final Rule from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”), would require that as of March 1, 2026, any non-financed residential real estate transaction where ownership is transferred to an entity or trust, subject to a few except… Read More
Tracey A. Kane Joins O’Reilly Rancilio
O’Reilly Rancilio is pleased to announce that Tracey A. Kane has joined the firm as an associate. Ms. Kane has focused her career on family law. She has successfully represented clients in divorce, child custody, parenting time, paternity, spousal… Read More
O’Reilly Rancilio Attorney Awarded Prestigious Richard Notte Civic Leadership Award
O’Reilly Rancilio attorney Clark A. Andrews was honored by the Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation with the Richard Notte Civic Service Leadership Award at the Foundation’s annual Puttin’ on the Ritz event. Andrews was recognized for his… Read More
New Shareholder - Arvin F. Zora
O’Reilly Rancilio P.C. is pleased to announce that Arvin F. Zora has been named a Shareholder of the Firm. Arvin’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, transactional law, corporate law, closely held businesses, banking & finance, lit… Read More
Eugene R. Hamlin Joins O'Reilly Rancilio
O’Reilly Rancilio is pleased to announce that Eugene R. Hamlin has joined the firm as a shareholder. Mr. Hamlin’s practice focuses on probate administration and litigation as well as estate planning. He also has experience in a variety of legal m… Read More