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Douglas G. Chalgian

Litigation Attorney at East Lansing, MI

4.1   13 reviews
  • Licensed for 27 years
    State MI
    Acquired 1996
    Status
    Active in Good Standing No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About Douglas

Learn Douglas’s areas of practice.

Attorney Douglas G. Chalgian of Chalgian & Tripp Law Offices, is both certified in elder law by the National Elder Law Foundation and a Fellow with the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. He has served as Chair of both the Probate and Estate Planning and Elder Law and Disability Sections of the State Bar.  Mr. Chalgian previously served on the Commission on Services to the Aging. He was one of about a dozen attorneys on the Michigan Trust Code Drafting Committee, and has been selected three times as one of the top 100 lawyers in Michigan by Super Lawyers Magazine. Mr.Chalgian writes and speaks regularly on the topics of estate planning, elder law, and probate court litigation.

Contact Douglas

Douglas G. Chalgian
1019 Trowbridge Rd
East Lansing, MI, 48823

Reviews

4.1 / 5.0
  13 customer reviews
5 Star
 
77%
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1 Star
 
23%
Posted by Paul | June 6, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Very knowledgeable on Elder Law
Doug Chalgian and his staff knows, and is compassionate about Elder Law. It’s very true that death can bring out the worst in a family. Doug Chalgian represented our defense against my mothers trust vs my siblings. I would not want to be across the table from Atty Chalgian. Thank you Chalgian and Tripp- very professional and knowledgeable.
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Posted by anonymous | August 21, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Exceptional
Our lawyer and his staff were very friendly, but always acted in a professional manner. The service and advice we received and needed was very calming and helped relieve some of the stress associated with this situation. Thank you!
Posted by Susan | May 16, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Tenacious and Professional
Mr. Chalgian represented my family in a very difficult and emotional hearing. I cannot say enough to express our appreciation of his support, guidance, and professionalism. I would highly recommend Mr. Chalgian.
Posted by Daniel | May 9, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Outstanding lawyer
Mr. Chalgian did an excellent job in otherwise complicated and sensitive custodial case. Very well prepared. He kept us well informed and abreast of all matters during this rather lengthy hearing. Highly recommend him and we thank him from the bottom of our hearts.
Posted by Linda | March 4, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
I can't thank you enough, Attorney Doug Chalgian
When my sister kidnapped our mother and took her to another state, I needed a good lawyer quickly. I am forever grateful I found Doug Chalgian. He responded immediately to this "emergency" hearing giving my sister conservator and guardianship authority in opposition to mom's will. He continued to represent me assertively, knowledgeably, kindly and successfully through trial. He is my hero always!
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Posted by Gary | January 19, 2018
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
Best in the business
Mr. Chalgian is knowledgeable and helpful in all areas of elder law. His firm is well established and stable. He is family minded and truly cares for his clients. He is well regarded in the community and by his peers.
Posted by Matt McCaul | January 17, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Gordon & Joan McCaul Trust
Judge Harter was the initial advising attorney. His expertise was the first successful movement the Trust experienced, thus moving it proactively forward. Attorney Taylor was the next evolution once the Trust moved towards litigation. She was extremely personal, yet combined with an unprecedented level of professionalism. Attorney Lane is now handling the administrative portion, and is also a very personable active listener, and acknowledges the clients needs. In a whole Attorney Chalgian's team has offered prompt exact legal assistance, which has thwarted the complainant's attorney's actions. This team has balanced the scale, and in comparison has done it with impeccable professionalism.
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Posted by Lisa | November 21, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Review of Douglas G. Chalgian
In my experience, Mr. Chalgian is an extremely experienced and thorough attorney. I was continually impressed with his knowledge of elder law. He and his staff regularly kept me apprised of developments in our case, and were accessible if I had questions. I would highly recommend Mr. Chalgian.
Posted by Paul | November 14, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Estate Planning Client since 2014
I first meet Doug in 2014 at a speaking event and was impressed by his integrity. He was also impressed with his knowledge of the law, but it was Doug's integrity that ultimately led me to make an appointment. I thought to myself....I have to meet with this guy.
Posted by June | August 16, 2011
Mr. Chalgian is the best Lawyer to handle estate & probate needs.
I had a matter that was complicated and very difficult..it took a long time to resolve it until I hired Mr. Chalgian. It was out of town in another county and I appreciated him taking my case..He was excellent in court...I was very impressed and pleased.
Posted by Thomas | March 5, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Poor
If I could have given negative stars I would have. $18,000+ in legal fees. And my situation was actually worsened with their "assistance".
Posted by James Nastally | March 1, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Saddened and dissapointewd professional and moral ethics
The firm of Chalgian & Tripp severely misguided our family in our parents nursing home medicaid application and process. They argued with DHS over medicaid law for over a year, created a huge debt, told us the entire time that they would win the case. After over $100,000.00 in nursing home debt accumulated, they lost all their appeals and left our family with the debt. A very, very disappointing experience, especially while caring for 2 aging parents at the same time. So saddened by their professional and moral ethics.......will tell everyone I come in contact about this experience.
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Response from Douglas Chalgian June 4, 2017
I never met this person. He worked primarily with a lawyer that left the firm years ago. Obviously I take responsibility for anyone who interacts with our firm, and would do anything reasonable to address their concerns. We have worked with thousands of families on long term care planning. You can go to our website at mielderlaw.com and read reviews from other families who do not feel this way.
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Posted by anonymous | August 24, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
The Chalgian Firm Quit on Me
Atty Chalgian represented me for over three years in a complex, protracted probate legal matter. This was my first involvement in a legal matter, and I am not a Michigan resident. I am not a trained trust professional. I hired an attorney to represent me to the best of their ability. Atty Chalgian was successful in the first ruling by the probate judge. He was very good at attacking based on emotion, but not so much based on the law. We then went to the appeals court and he got stomped. The actions that I took based on direction from Atty Chalgian directly resulted in the appellate court ruling against us. (I later had an attorney who specialized in dealing with the Michigan appeals court review the preparation for the first appeal, and they were clearly unimpressed with the effort put forth. As a point of reference, this attorney was successful with a second appeal that was later filed). Despite all our best efforts, the other party continued to push the issue and refused to settle. When it was clear that this was not going to be an easy win, Atty Chalgian started to distance himself from the day-to-day issues and handed items off to a new attorney who has just passed the bar. I then started to receive invoices that included unauthorized legal services. (We are talking about $5K in legal fees that I challenged, which represented about 5% of all legal fees billed. All other invoices where paid quickly.) When I challenged those charges, I received no responses. When I continued to push the issue, Atty Chalgian QUIT! He went to the probate judge and asked to be removed from the case, and his request was granted. This was late in the legal proceedings after he had collected six figures in legal fees. I then had to hire new counsel and pay to have them learn years of case history. Fortunately, I was able to find a competent attorney's to represent me through the remaining legal process. To summarize, the Chalgian law firm did not provide the representation that I would expect from a firm that represent themselves as leaders in the area of probate law. I received incorrect legal advice, they did a poor job in preparing for an appeal, Atty Chalgian dumped the case on a junior attorney, and then they Quit! Atty. Chalgian's representation cost me six figures, and then I was his with over $50K in costs from the Michigan probate court. If this is what you are looking for, the the Chalgian law firm is the law firm for you. I am still contemplating a malpractice action against the firm. For remaining probate-related actions, I used Atty. Sally Babbitt. For a subsequent appeal, I used Atty. Liisa Speaker. I strongly recommend both of them if you need assistance.
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Response from Douglas Chalgian June 4, 2017
This “anonymous” client came to me with a mess. I thought we did a good job to get it cleaned up the best we could. Not everyone is going to be happy. You can go to our website at mielderlaw.com and read reviews from other families who do not feel this way. These websites are frustrating. I guess I need to ask happy clients to post reviews – has it really come to that? Interesting that this is posted years after the fact and promotes the practice a former employee.
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Cost

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Contact for Details

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Partner
  • Chalgian & Tripp Law Offices, PLLC
  • 2002 - Present

Associations

  • American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
  • Fellow
  • 2010 - Present
  • National Elder Law Foundation
  • Certified Elder Law Attorney
  • N/A
  • State Bar of Michigan, Probate and Estate Planning Section
  • Former Chair
  • N/A
  • Hospice of Lansing and Ionia
  • Past Member, Board of Directors
  • N/A
  • National Alliance of Set Aside Professionals
  • Member
  • N/A
  • Alzheimer's Association State Council
  • Member
  • N/A
  • State Bar of Michigan, Elder Law and Disability Rights Section
  • Former Chair
  • N/A
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Best Lawyer
  • Best Lawyers in America
  • 2017
  • Best Lawyer
  • Best Lawyers in America
  • 2016
  • Super Lawyer
  • Super Lawyers Magazine
  • 2016
  • Super Lawyer
  • Super Lawyers Magazine
  • 2015
  • Best Lawyer
  • Best Lawyers in America
  • 2015
  • Best Lawyer
  • Best Lawyers in America
  • 2014
  • Super Lawyer
  • Michigan Super Lawyers
  • 2013
  • Lansing Best Lawyers Elder Law Lawyer of the Year
  • Best Lawyers in America
  • 2012
  • Super Lawyer
  • Super Lawyers Magazine
  • 2011
  • Super Lawyer
  • Super Lawyers Magazine
  • 2010
  • Super Lawyer
  • Super Lawyers Magazine
  • 2009
  • Top 100 Attorneys in Michigan
  • Super Lawyers Magazine
  • 2009
  • Top 100 Attorneys in Michigan
  • Super Lawyers Magazine
  • 2008
  • Super Lawyer
  • Super Lawyers Magazine
  • 2008
  • Super Lawyer
  • Super Lawyers Magazine
  • 2007
  • Best Lawyer
  • Best Lawyers in America
  • N/A
View all awards

Attorney endorsements

Received (2)
Given (4)
Endorse Douglas
Estate planning Attorney | May 10
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"Doug is a dedicated, bright and personable lawyer. I do not work in his community, but I know his reputation is excellent and his contacts are national. I highly recommend him."
Probate Attorney | Feb 04
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I endorse this lawyer. Doug is an excellent probate litigator. He has a keen insight that is the marking of a born litigator. And he works very, very hard. He obviously cares a great deal about his work. When he serves on a law-related committee or board, he does not merely show up to say "present." He contributes. And his contributions are valuable because he does his research and comes prepared. Doug gives his very best to what he does, period. He is both a talented attorney and a valuable colleague."
Administrative law
Elder law

Avvo Contributions

This attorney hasn't created any legal answers in Q&A or legal guides recently on Avvo.

East Lansing Litigation Lawyer Douglas G. Chalgian
Douglas G. Chalgian
Litigation Attorney
East Lansing, MI
Licensed for 27 years