Sean Jeffrey Nichols

I have a boutique law practice specializing specialize in elder law, estate planning, and probate. As I tell clients, I handle the legal issues that come with aging; whether someone is young, old, or in between. Those three areas of the law are strongly interconnected. I personally believe it is impossible to do one of those areas without doing the other two areas. My practice is boutique because simply put, I personally would not hire a plumber to do electrical wiring, nor hire a cardiologist doctor to do brain surgery. Limiting my practice to elder law, estate planning, and probate ensures that I know as much as possible about those areas and have a large body of work in those areas. My practice has been a boutique practice since I entered practice November of 2011. 

The common legal issues that I handle are wills, trusts, power of attorney, deed work, Medicaid nursing home eligibility, Medicaid planning, Veterans' Aid and Attendance, special needs planning, end of life issues, guardianships, and conservatorships. Some of my elder law, estate planning, and probate cases are also litigation. Litigation is when a lawyer goes to court to fight for his clients' rights. I have litigated against the State of Michigan regarding Medicaid estate recovery and in obtaining Medicaid benefits for my clients. I have litigated defending peoples' estates. I have litigated when my clients are wrongfully denied inheritances due to someone stealing it from them. I have litigated to protect vulnerable seniors from abuse and exploitation. 

My practice came about because my grandmother had a very bad case of Alzheimer's disease. My grandfather was a great man and took incredible care of her. Caring for someone with Alzheimer's, even with great family support like he had, physically wears out the caregiver as the Alzheimer's patient gets sicker. As my grandmother got sicker my grandfather's biggest legal issue was paying for the costs of her care once my grandmother needed a really high level of care.  It was extremely difficult for my grandfather to find a lawyer who specialized in those issues. Frankly, there are not that many of us. His experiences guided me to study elder law and Medicaid in law school. I quickly realized that a lawyer wanting to excel in elder law needed to practice estate planning and probate as well. After graduating from law school I developed my practice based on my grandfather's experiences. I practice the way he would have wanted to practice, with impeccable morals and complete candour to my clients.  

My clients come from every background and walk of life. I have planned for estates, administered estates, and litigated estates ranging from modest ones to those worth multiple millions of dollars, and everything in between. I truly enjoy what I do. It is rewarding to help people with their legal issues. Getting handwritten thank you cards from clients is one of the best feelings a lawyer can have. 

When you consult with me or hire me you will get a frank appraisal of your case or estate plan. I will educate you about the law relating to your case or estate plan. I look forward to working with you.