Jeffrey J. Michalowski - Sterling Heights, MI
Jeffrey J. Michalowski is a founding partner at Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz and Associates, P.C. in Sterling Heights, Michigan. With more than twenty-five years of legal experience, attorney Michalowski specializes in elder law, asset protection, Medicaid and nursing home planning, estate planning, probate administration, and disability insurance claims throughout Macomb and Oakland counties.
Experienced Elder Law and Estate Planning Advocacy in Sterling Heights
Safeguarding family assets and preparing for aging requires strategic planning and compassionate guidance. When seniors face nursing home expenses or families encounter probate court rules, having a trusted advocate is paramount. Attorney Jeffrey J. Michalowski provides comprehensive legal counsel to individuals, retirees, and families across Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, and Southeast Michigan. As a founding partner of Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz and Associates, P.C., Jeff brings a solutions-oriented approach to preserving life savings and ensuring seamless legacy transitions.
A native of Sterling Heights, Jeffrey J. Michalowski earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School. Jeff co-founded Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz and Associates, P.C. in 2006 alongside partner Phillip S. Serafini, growing the firm into a cornerstone practice. Holding a 10 out of 10 rating from Justia and active membership in the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Macomb County Bar Association, Jeff is widely respected for his legal skill, transparent communication, and commitment to client well-being.
Elder Law, Medicaid, and Nursing Home Asset Protection
With monthly nursing home costs regularly exceeding several thousand dollars, long-term care expenses can rapidly deplete a lifetime of family savings. Attorney Michalowski provides proactive planning and urgent crisis intervention to protect family wealth:
- Medicaid Qualification Planning: Guiding families through complex Michigan Department of Health and Human Services regulations to secure Medicaid benefits while preserving exempt assets.
- Asset Protection Trusts: Structuring irrevocable trusts that shield the primary family residence, farmland, and liquid assets from long-term healthcare exposure.
- Crisis Spend-Down Solutions: Utilizing legal spend-down strategies, caregiver contracts, and allowable asset transfers to protect the healthy spouse from financial hardship.
- Guardianship and Conservatorship: Representing families in probate court to establish protective guardianship and financial conservatorship when an elderly relative faces cognitive decline.
Comprehensive Wills, Living Trusts, and Estate Administration
Estate planning empowers individuals to dictate how their medical decisions are made and how their assets pass to future generations. When families need to find an attorney to organize their affairs, Jeffrey J. Michalowski provides tailored legal instruments:
- Revocable Living Trusts: Establishing private trust structures that enable estate assets to bypass time-consuming and public Michigan probate proceedings.
- Last Will and Testament: Drafting clear testamentary instruments designating beneficiaries, naming personal representatives, and appointing guardians for minor children.
- Powers of Attorney and Healthcare Directives: Appointing trusted agents through durable financial powers of attorney and patient advocate designations to handle affairs during incapacitation.
- Probate and Trust Administration: Guiding personal representatives and trustees through estate inventories, creditor claims resolution, and final asset distributions.
Disability Claims and Personal Injury Support
Beyond estate planning and elder law, attorney Michalowski assists individuals whose private disability benefits have been wrongfully denied or terminated by insurance companies. Supported by the litigation team at Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz and Associates, P.C., the firm also represents accident victims in motor vehicle collisions and premises liability claims.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Jeffrey J. Michalowski
Whether you need to hire a lawyer to safeguard a senior family member assets, create a living trust, or resolve a probate dispute in Macomb County, Jeffrey J. Michalowski is here to help. Contact the Sterling Heights office today to schedule a free initial consultation and protect what matters most.
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Location & Access
Primary Address
Located along the busy industrial and commercial Mound Road corridor in Sterling Heights, just south of M-59 (Hall Road).
Building Location
The office is situated in the Independence Square commercial complex, an attractive one-story contemporary professional office building constructed in 2002.
Parking Details
Ample, free surface parking is available directly in front of the building's entrance, providing convenient and dedicated customer parking.
Public Transit
Served by SMART Route 510 (Van Dyke); nearest stop is at Van Dyke & Hall Rd.
Accessibility / Suite Access
Enter the main professional entrance of the Independence Square building facing Mound Road. The law office is located directly inside on the ground level in Suite 100.