PRACTICE

John focuses his practice in estate planning, probate and trust litigation and administration, and Medicaid law. His services range from drafting simple wills to creating estate plans for high net worth clients with taxable estates and complex business and real property issues. He also advises elderly clients (or their representatives) when planning or attempting to qualify for Medicaid.

Though estate planning and related areas of law encompass a significant portion of John’s practice, he also represents individuals and entities in areas including commercial and residential real estate, construction law, business law, telecommunications law, and civil defense.

EDUCATION

Western New England College School of Law, JD

Albion College, BA, Philosophy, cum laude

ADMISSIONS

State Bar of Michigan

United States District Court, Western District of Michigan

United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Real Property, Probate, and Trust Section – American Bar Association

Probate and Estate Planning Section – State Bar of Michigan

Elder Law Section – State Bar of Michigan

Legal Aid and Defenders Association

Legal Aid of Western Michigan

Grand Rapids Bar Association

Ottawa County Bar Association

Lake Michigan Estate Planning Council

Grand Haven Chamber of Commerce

Grand Haven Area Young Professionals

CERTIFICATES/AWARDS

Certificate of Completion in the areas of probate and estate planning, issued by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of Michigan

CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Estate Planning

PERSONAL

John is a native of Suttons Bay, Michigan, where he grew up on a cherry farm. Though West Michigan is now home for John, he often makes his way back north to visit family, take in the picturesque sites (akin to those of Grand Haven), and even do a little work on the family farm. John was recently married in September. He and his wife currently reside in Grand Rapids.