MARK D. HOFSTEE

Mark assists clients and their families in developing and implementing plans to insure that they are taken care of if they become disabled and to provide for the orderly distribution of their estate upon their deaths. Trusts, Wills, Powers of Attorney and Patient Advocates are typically parts of most plans. Mark also assists clients in providing for their children who have special needs and with planning the transfer of their businesses.

More and more couples and families are seeking legal advice about how to preserve their family's assets when one of them needs to enter long-term care. Mark helps families navigate the complex and ever-changing Medicaid rules in order to qualify the long-term care patient for Medicaid and preserve the assets for the spouse who remains at home. Simply because one spouse needs long-term care does not mean that the other spouse needs to become destitute.

When individuals pass on leaving assets in their name alone, the Probate Court must be used to transfer the assets. Probate is a complex process with many requirements and deadlines. Mark helps his clients navigate the probate process to insure the estate is administered efficiently and according to the deceased's wishes.

Under Michigan law, the appointment of a guardian or conservator gives an individual the authority to act and make decisions on another person's behalf. Generally speaking, the guardian is tasked with handling the personal issues of the individual while the conservator handles the financial matters. Because guardianship and conservatorship take away an individual's rights and freedoms, they are very serious legal steps that must be handled with expert competence and care.

Mark has been involved in the organization and establishment of numerous businesses throughout the state of Michigan. From the small, closely held family business to the multi-level corporation, Mark counsels his business clients on changes in the law and advises them on their ongoing operations. In addition to the role of advisor, he also represents clients in buying and selling businesses, mergers and restructuring.

Mark assists clients with all types of real estate transactions. Whether it is a simple land contract of a vacant home or a purchase of a commercial building with several tenants, he works diligently to make sure that all aspects of the sale are complete and accurate from the preparation of an offer to purchase through the closing of the sale.

Mark has a very broad and extensive collections practice. He represents several lending institutions, banks and credit unions with their delinquent accounts and also provides practical and affordable solutions to businesses regarding managing accounts receivables. He is one of only a few attorneys in the west Michigan area who practices mortgage foreclosures. Mark utilizes various tools for collection including garnishments, writs of execution, levies and liens.