SerpApi.Org
Great Lakes Family Probate & Estates PLLC is opening a new office in downtown Caseville to expand access to estate planning and probate services for Huron County residents at every stage of life.
Firm founder and attorney Kimberly Crank Browning explained that after visiting Caseville her entire life, she was inspired to open a firm specifically to serve the residents who call Huron County home.
"Caseville isn't just a place for people to visit in the summer," she said. "It's home to families, retirees, business owners, property owners, and everyone deserves to have experienced legal counsel close to home."
The firm specializes in estate planning, elder law and probate, offering services including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, Medicaid planning, guardianships, probate litigation and related legal guidance.
"What we do is help families and individuals through all transitions of life," Crank Browning said.
She explained that their services can help young adults establish powers of attorney, homeowners protect their property, families prepare for long-term care and loved ones navigate probate and trust administration after a death.
Through working with clients over many years, Crank Browning emphasized that relationship-building is what sets Great Lakes Family Probate & Estates apart, something she said is much harder to do when you're not based in the community you serve.
"We might meet someone when they're young, and as they get married, prepare a prenuptial agreement, draft their will, and later have children and want to establish a trust, they'll already know where to go," Crank Browning said. "They're not going to have to travel a long distance."
In coming to the Caseville area, Crank Browning said she hopes to address common misconceptions about who estate planning is for, what it accomplishes and how plans should be updated as life changes.
"People sometimes think a trust is just for the wealthy or that because they created a will 20 years ago, everything is still good," she said. "I think what people don't understand is that as their lives change, their documents may need to be updated or at least reviewed."
She also emphasized that estate planning is not just for the wealthy or the elderly, stressing that "Everyone needs an estate plan."
"At age 18, everyone needs a power of attorney because accidents happen," Crank Browning said. "If a young adult is in an automobile accident and can't make decisions for themselves, or is in the hospital recovering, someone needs to be able to access their accounts and make sure their bills are being paid. Without those documents, family members could be forced to go through probate court to obtain a guardianship or conservatorship."
To help people get a better understanding of estate planning and the services they may need, Crank Browning said Great Lakes Family Probate & Estates offers free one-hour consultations in person, over the phone or via video call.
"Somebody might have a couple questions about their trust and want me to review it to see if it's something that is appropriate for whatever their needs are at that time," Crank Browning said. "Making informed decisions is key for a lot of people, so I would like to make sure that people are aware that this is a resource for them to use."
Building on that sentiment, Crank Browning explained opening the new office was not just about growth.
"It's about making our services more accessible to the families in Huron County and the surrounding communities."
The new office, located at 6727 Main St. in the former Independent Bank building, will hold a grand opening Aug. 7. There will be a professional open house from 9 to 11 a.m. and then a public open house from 1 to 4 p.m.
Once open, the firm's office hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with Saturday morning hours available by appointment.
For more information, visit glfpe.com.
