Probate Litigation Lawyers in Detroit

Guiding You Through Contested Estates & Trusts

After a loss, disagreements over a will, trust, or estate can quickly turn an already difficult time into a source of stress and uncertainty. Family members may question whether documents reflect true wishes or whether an executor or trustee is acting fairly. If you are facing this kind of conflict, you may need a probate litigation attorney to protect your interests.

At Hubbard Snitchler & Parzianello, we help families and business owners navigate probate disputes in the Detroit area with clear advice and steady guidance. Our attorneys handle contested estates and trusts, including matters that involve family businesses, complex investments, or property in multiple states. We work to help you understand your options and make informed decisions.

Our firm is based in Detroit, and clients work directly with our experienced partners. We combine a strong background in estate, business, and corporate law with a relationship-driven approach, so you are never left guessing about what is happening in your case or why.

Take the first step toward resolving your case with a skilled probate litigation attorney. Reach out or call (313) 546-9685 now to set up your consultation.

Why Work With Our Probate Team

When a probate dispute affects your family or a closely held business, you need more than a general explanation of the law. You need a team that understands how legal decisions will play out in real life. At Hubbard Snitchler & Parzianello, you work directly with seasoned partners who take the time to learn your goals, your family dynamics, and the financial realities involved.

Our firm is a comprehensive Detroit law practice with experience in estate planning, business law, securities law, and corporate litigation matters. Many contested estates involve questions about business ownership, buy-sell agreements, investment accounts, or compensation arrangements. Because we regularly advise on these issues, we can view your probate dispute in context instead of as a stand-alone courtroom problem.

We also place a high value on responsive, interactive communication. Probate conflicts often move in stages, from early questions about a will or trust to formal court filings and negotiation. Our attorneys explain what is happening, what comes next, and how each step fits into the overall strategy. You are encouraged to ask questions, and we strive to provide clear, direct answers in everyday language.

Our presence in Michigan and parts of Florida is helpful for families with property or seasonal residences in both states. If a deceased loved one split time between Detroit and a Florida community, or held assets in both places, the estate may touch courts in more than one jurisdiction. We are familiar with the additional coordination that these situations can require.

Understanding Probate Disputes in Michigan

Probate litigation refers to court proceedings that arise when people disagree about how an estate or trust should be handled. This might involve a challenge to a will, questions about the validity of a trust, or claims that an executor or trustee is not fulfilling duties. In Michigan, many of these disputes are handled in the probate courts, including the Wayne County Probate Court for matters that fall within its authority.

Conflicts can surface in many ways. An adult child might be surprised by a late-in-life change that significantly alters inheritances. A surviving spouse may believe that a will does not reflect long-standing plans. Beneficiaries may be concerned about how an executor, personal representative, or trustee is collecting assets, paying claims, or providing information. Sometimes, a family member believes that another person pressured the deceased into signing documents that do not reflect genuine wishes.

Michigan probate law provides procedures for raising these concerns, but the rules and deadlines can be technical. The court generally expects clear factual allegations, supporting documents, and legal arguments. Cases may move from an initial filing to conferences or hearings, and some proceed to more extensive discovery and trial. Throughout this process, the Wayne County Probate Court aims to apply Michigan law to determine what documents control and whether fiduciaries are meeting obligations.

Every dispute is fact-specific. Our role is to review the documents, family history, and asset structure, then help you evaluate both the strength of potential claims and the practical impact of each path forward. We discuss not only what is legally possible, but also how various outcomes might affect relationships, taxes, and any ongoing business interests.

Steps To Take In A Probate Dispute

When questions arise about a will, trust, or the way an estate is being handled, it can be tempting to confront relatives immediately or to sign something just to move on. Before taking action, it is helpful to pause and get a clearer picture of the situation. Time limits may apply under Michigan law, so it is important to be thoughtful but not passive.

Here are some practical steps you can take if you suspect a probate problem:

• Gather key documents such as any wills, trust agreements, beneficiary designations, and recent account statements, if you have access to them.
• Write down a timeline of important events, including when documents were signed, health changes, and any conversations that raised concerns.
• Avoid heated exchanges with other heirs or beneficiaries, and refrain from posting about the dispute on social media.
• Do not sign waivers, releases, or consents related to the estate or trust without understanding their effect.
• Contact our firm to discuss what you are seeing and to learn what options may be available.

When you reach out to a probate attorney, we will typically begin by reviewing whatever information you can reasonably collect. We understand that many clients have partial records or mixed recollections, especially when they are also grieving. Our attorneys work with you to sort through the facts, identify open questions, and outline potential next steps. The goal is to move you from uncertainty to a clearer plan of action.

How Our Attorneys Handle Probate Cases

Contested probate and trust matters often involve a mix of legal, financial, and personal issues. Our approach starts with a careful review of the documents and the family and business context. During an initial evaluation, we look at the will or trust language, any amendments, beneficiary designations, and information about major assets, including ownership interests in companies or real estate.

We then talk with you about what you hope to achieve. Some clients want to challenge a document they believe is invalid. Others want to hold an executor or trustee accountable for how they are managing assets or communicating. Still others may be responding to a claim brought against them. Once we understand your priorities, we explain possible paths, such as informal negotiation, mediation, or formal litigation in the Wayne County Probate Court or other Michigan probate courts.

Because our practice includes business, corporate, and securities work, we are well-positioned to address disputes that involve closely held companies, family-owned shops, or interests in larger enterprises. Many families in and around Detroit have ties to the automotive or manufacturing sectors. Questions about valuation, control, or succession in these businesses can become central issues in a probate dispute. We draw on our broader business knowledge when advising you about these aspects.

Throughout a case, we focus on communication. We update you on filings, hearings, and negotiations, and we explain why each step matters. Our goal is to give you a realistic view of potential outcomes so you can make informed choices, rather than feeling pulled along by the process. When the dispute is resolved, we often work with clients on follow-up planning, such as updating their own estate documents or addressing ownership structures, to reduce the risk of future conflict.

Common Probate Litigation Issues We See

Every family and estate is unique, but certain patterns appear frequently in probate litigation. Recognizing these patterns can help you see that you are not alone and that your situation is something we have likely encountered in some form. Our attorneys handle a wide range of disputes that arise during or after the administration of an estate or trust.

One common issue is a will contest. This may involve claims that the person who signed the will lacked mental capacity at the time, that another person exerted undue influence, or that the document does not meet Michigan’s formal requirements. Another frequent area of conflict involves trusts, including disputes over whether a trust was properly created, whether amendments are valid, or whether a trustee is following the terms and acting in the best interests of beneficiaries.

We also see conflicts involving fiduciary conduct. Beneficiaries may believe that an executor, personal representative, or trustee is not providing adequate information, is favoring some beneficiaries over others, or is mishandling investments or property. In some estates, especially those linked to family-owned businesses in the Detroit area, there may be disagreement over how to value and distribute company interests or who should control the business after an owner’s death.

In addition, estates that touch both Michigan and Florida can present questions such as where to open probate, how to handle ancillary proceedings, and which court’s orders control particular assets. Our firm’s presence in both Michigan and parts of Florida allows us to take these cross-state issues into account as we help you plan a strategy. In each case, we work to tailor our approach to the mix of legal claims, financial stakes, and family relationships involved.

Get the help you need from an experienced probate litigation lawyer. Fill out our online form without delay.