We take privacy seriously, both because the law requires it and because the work we do (estate planning, probate, family law) often touches the most sensitive corners of a client's life. This policy explains what information this website collects, how we use it, and the choices you have. If anything here is unclear, please contact us; we would rather answer a question than have you guess.
1. Who this policy applies to
This policy applies to information collected by Michigan Trust & Estate Planning, PLLC (the "firm," "we," "us") through this website at michigantrustandestate.com. It does not cover information you share with us in person, by phone, by mail, through a signed engagement, or through other channels outside this site; those communications are governed by the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, our written engagement letter (where applicable), and applicable law.
Our broader obligation is unchanged regardless of channel: we treat client and prospective-client information as confidential, and we hold it to the standards required of Michigan attorneys.
2. Information we collect
We try to collect only what is genuinely useful to you and to us. The categories below describe the information this website may receive.
Information you submit voluntarily
When you fill out a contact form, request a consultation, or send us an email through a link on this site, we may receive:
- Your name
- Your email address
- Your phone number
- Your address or general location, if you choose to share it
- A description of your matter or question
- Any other information you choose to include
You decide what to share. We ask only what we need in order to respond. Please read Section 5 below before sending detailed or sensitive information.
Information collected automatically
Like most websites, this one may receive standard technical data when you visit, including:
- Your IP address
- Browser type and version
- Device type and operating system
- The pages you visit on this site, the order you visit them, and how long you stay
- Referring website (if any)
- Date and time of access
This data is used to operate the site, diagnose issues, and understand which pages are useful so we can improve them. We do not attempt to identify individual visitors from this technical data.
Cookies and similar technologies
This site may use a small number of cookies and similar technologies for basic functionality and, where applicable, simple analytics (for example, page-view counts). You can disable cookies in your browser settings; some site features may not work as well if you do.
3. How we use your information
We use the information you provide and the technical data the site receives to:
- Respond to your inquiry and schedule a consultation
- Provide legal services if and when we agree to represent you
- Communicate with you about your matter, scheduling, billing, and related logistics
- Maintain accurate records of communications, as required by Michigan attorney professional-conduct rules
- Improve the website and its content
- Comply with legal obligations and respond to lawful requests
We do not use your information for advertising you to third parties, and we do not sell it.
4. Disclosure of information
We do not sell your information. We may share information in limited circumstances, all of them designed to serve you or to comply with law:
- Service providers. Vetted vendors who help us run our practice (for example, secure email hosting, document storage, calendaring, e-signature, accounting). These providers are bound by confidentiality and may use information only to provide their service to us.
- With your consent. If your matter requires us to share information with a third party (for example, opposing counsel, a court, a financial institution, or a co-counsel), we do so only with your authorization.
- As required by law. If we are compelled by subpoena, court order, or other legal process, we comply only after evaluating whether attorney-client privilege, work-product protection, or other privileges apply, and we will tell you when we are permitted to do so.
- To protect rights or safety. In rare circumstances we may share information to prevent fraud, defend our legal rights, or address an imminent threat.
5. Confidentiality and attorney-client privilege
Submitting a form on this website, sending an email through a link on this site, or leaving a voicemail does not create an attorney-client relationship and does not by itself create attorney-client privilege. We will treat your information as confidential under our internal standards, but until you have signed a written engagement letter and we have agreed to represent you, the protections that apply to a formal attorney-client relationship do not yet apply. Please do not send detailed confidential information, time-sensitive materials, or documents you would not want disclosed until we have confirmed that we can represent you.
6. Data security
We use reasonable administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect the information in our possession, including transport encryption for email and forms where supported, access controls, and vendor diligence on service providers. No system is perfectly secure, however, and we cannot guarantee that information transmitted over the internet will be free from unauthorized interception. If we ever experience a data incident affecting Michigan residents, we will respond consistent with Michigan's data security and breach notification laws and any other applicable law.
7. Your choices
You have the following choices regarding the information you share with us through this site:
- Opt out of communications. If you have asked us to follow up and later change your mind, just reply to any of our messages or call us; we will stop reaching out.
- Request access or correction. You can ask what information we have about you and ask that errors be corrected. We will respond within a reasonable time.
- Request deletion. You can ask us to delete information we have collected about you through this site. Where we are not the subject of an active engagement or a record-retention obligation, we will honor reasonable deletion requests.
Michigan does not currently have a comprehensive consumer privacy statute comparable to California's CCPA or Virginia's VCDPA. Even so, we apply these principles as a matter of professional standard, and we extend the rights of access, correction, and deletion to all visitors who ask, regardless of state of residence.
8. Children's privacy
This website is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has submitted information to us, please contact us and we will delete it.
9. Third-party links
This site may contain links to third-party websites (for example, court resources, statutory materials, or news articles). We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. When you leave this site, please review the privacy policy of any site you visit.
10. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or applicable law. When we do, we will revise the "Effective date" at the top of this page. Material changes will be highlighted on this page for a reasonable period after they take effect.
11. Contact us about privacy
If you have questions about this policy or about how we handle your information, please reach out:
Michigan Trust & Estate Planning, PLLC
2145 University Park Dr, Suite 380
Okemos, MI 48864
Phone: (517) 908-3203
Email: info@michigantrustandestate.com
Please also review our Legal Disclaimer, which addresses attorney advertising notices, the limits of information provided on this site, and related matters.