David Mammel | Troy Estate Planning Lawyer

My father passed away from cancer just before my 21st birthday in 1987. As a physician in his own professional corporation, he worked hard and, alongside my mother, raised a family of four with hopes of growing old together.

Prior to his death, Dad and Mom worked with an estate planning attorney, preparing a plan that would give my mother the same level of access to the family finances after Dad passed away. Sadly, while the plan was in place, it was never carried out by the attorney. When Mom needed access to funds or information, she had to call the attorney – who was generally unresponsive, often waiting weeks to return calls.

As a result, Mom’s mourning of Dad’s death was compounded by the financial frustration arising from an attorney who didn’t care to return her calls. Eventually, Mom fired him and retained a gentleman who resolved the frustrations and anxieties through a caring, organized approach.

This is why I have dedicated my legal career of more than 20 years to doing things the right way for my clients – doing things with care, compassion, organization, and drive.

I understand that my estate planning clients have diverse goals and needs for their families, loved ones, favored charities, and themselves. Creating the plan isn’t just a matter of preparing a set of documents. It requires helping my clients define their needs and goals so that they can be properly carried out in their plan. It requires implementing the plan to ensure the assets are properly funded into their trusts, for wealth preservation and family financial security, while avoiding probate court. This approach limits the stress of estate administration once loved ones have passed away.

Over the years, I have guided numerous clients through estate administration outside of probate court with a trust, or in a probate court, when necessary. I work with my clients to ensure we address everything through a systemized approach designed to be efficient and thorough.

In probate court, I have handled the estates of those who have passed away, and have been appointed a Special Fiduciary at the Oakland Country Probate Court to address problems which arise in guardianships and conservatorships in cases involving those with physical/mental limitations.

While counseling clients through business matters, I employ the same caring, organized approach to establish corporations and limited liability companies, to draft agreements and to handle transactions so that my client’s financial endeavors are given proper protection by the law and organization to achieve success. For those deals involving real estate, I have guided my clients through anything from purchases or sales of homes to business acquisitions of large buildings.

Of course, sometimes estates, businesses, and real estate matters end up with disputes. While it is my aim to help clients avoid the cost of litigation, sometimes that cost can’t be avoided when legal rights can only be effectively enforced through lawsuits and court intervention. When my clients have been forced to proceed to court during my career, I have successfully represented them as plaintiffs, petitioners, defendants, or respondents through dispositive motions granted by the courts and jury verdicts in favor of my clients at trial.

Regardless of whether their matter involves their personal estate, their business, their real estate or a lawsuit, my clients all agree: I will work hard to employ my knowledge, resources, and experience to achieve the best results for them—because I care.