Kenneth V Zichi

Helping Livingston County residents navigate the legal system for 30 years. I focus on Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning and Probate, with a significant portion of my practice also concerning Real Estate and general civil litigation. If you have questions or issues with your home, a cabin up north, or want to insure your family is cared for after you are gone, I'd be happy to meet with you, perhaps bust some myths, and certainly insure YOUR and your family's needs are met. Call for an appointment today!

Elder Law

Estate Planning

Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills

Real Estate Law

Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law

Insurance Claims

Bad Faith Insurance, Business Insurance, Disability Insurance, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Motor Vehicle Insurance, Property Insurance

Landlord Tenant

Evictions, Housing Discrimination, Landlord Rights, Rent Control, Tenants' Rights

Family Law

Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Same Sex Family Law

• Free Consultation
  Telephone [(810) 299-5222] or office conferences, 20 minutes or less. Longer conferences may incur a minimal fee.
• Contingent Fees

Michigan

Since 1986

Owner

Kenneth V . Zichi J.D.

1991 - Current

Mayor

City of Williamston (Michigan)

2000 - 2010

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

J.D.

1983 - 1986

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

A.B. | History / Communications

1977 - 1981

Honors: LS&A Honors College 1977-1979

State Bar of Michigan

Member

1986 - Current

estate and probate section Michigan bar

member

1986 - Current

Law and Media committee - State Bar of Michigan

member

2010 - 2015

Newsroom Seminar, WNEM TV/AM - Saginaw MI

March 15, 2013

State Bar of Michigan - Law & Media committee

An hour-long seminar addressing some of the common practical and substantive difficulties journalists encounter in covering the legal system in Michigan.

Q. Is a land contract legally binding in MI if owner dies or is incapacitated? Does it have to be entered into their will?

June 27, 2022

A: You don't 'enter' a land contract 'into a will'. And a codicil is usually the 'worst of all possible worlds' to avoid a will challenge. And finally, preparing a legal document for someone else potentially constitutes the practice of law which, if you aren't a licensed attorney, is a misdemeanor in Michigan. PLEASE seek local legal representation from a licensed attorney. There are lots of ways to assure the land contract will be legally binding and cannot be challenged. Trying to "DIY" it is conversely an almost sure way to get things challenged and make things work out badly. Local legal representation from a licensed attorney shouldn't be expensive to avoid problems in the future, but if you insist of trying to be 'penny wise' about this you'll very likely end up spending more in the long run to undo problems later.

Q. A year almost and nothing done and I’m still getting damage done every time with heavy rains

June 13, 2022

A: I concur your best results will be with a local real estate attorney in your corner. But be prepared to provide that lawyer with facts like a copy of the judgment, who 'they' are and why YOU can't just install the culvert and charge them the cost (I assume because they did something to block the flow of water on property they control not you, but again, make the facts explicit!) Getting upset about this won't help, but you DO need to take action to enforce the judgment be that a motion to compel or a motion for them to be held in contempt etc. There are multiple ways to go about this, but the best response is unclear without a detailed analysis of the situation! Get that local legal help ASAP.

Q. In Michigan. For a small probate estate do you have to list value for old bed sheets and towels and costume jewelry?

June 3, 2022

A: Do these items have significant value or will they be an issue in how the estate is divided? At most ‘misc. personal/household goods’ is probably fine but … there are probably lots of other pitfalls that you’re not considering. I’d strongly recommend you consult with a local licensed attorney to get real advice here. You don’t want to run afoul of the court inadvertently.