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!

• 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. Can I acquire a Michigan property for back taxes before probate?

March 29, 2025

A: 'Control' is such a non-specific word.

Can you PAY the back taxes to the County/State before then? Yes, but the Estate will retain the right to redeem meaning you won't get the property, you'll only get your money (plus interest) back.

Can you BUY the property from the nephew? No, that requires probate first.

I'd urge you to consult with a local attorney to review all your options and don't just 'pay' someone something expecting it to work out OK.

Good luck.

Q. Do I need to post a notice to creditors if no probate and no assets left?

March 27, 2025

A: MUST you do so? No.

But it is still a good idea because it effectively reduces any statute of limitations to the ‘non-probate claims period’ which is drastically shorter than the general limits.

The wording is slightly different than the ‘probate’ notice but similar. I’d suggest it is worth the small cost to find a local licensed attorney to help draft and publish the notice as they can insure it is done and published correctly and at the best cost.

Q. Can I pursue a legal claim for father’s death due to alleged negligence by his wife in Michigan?

March 17, 2025

A: Nothing you state raises huge red flags. People with dementia often act just as you describe and loved ones often can't intervene easily to avoid unpleasant outcomes. That said, if you question the veracity of these claims, my FIRST step would be to ask 9-1-1 for verification of the call for an ambulance. They will document if he refused transport, and whether or not they were called. If they match the claims, your case just got REALLY hard to prove.

That said, they MAY require a subpoena to release that information which you can get if you are the personal representative of the Estate, but that requires filing an estate with Probate in the county where he resided. That is not an inexpensive process and will lead to specific required expenditures and reporting to the Court, so I would STRONGLY urge you to consult with a local attorney before taking such steps to assess the costs, and more importantly to review 1) if there are financial damages such that filing an estate otherwise not needed is appropriate and 2) if your suspicions rise to the level of actual 'negligence' if true and whether or not they are a proximate cause of the death if they are AND FURTHER if you can prove the suspicions. Remember YOU would have the burden of proof so it is up to you to prove the case, and 'suspicions' aren't enough. ... Read More