Mike joined Ferguson Widmayer & Clark PC in 2015 as an estate planning attorney whose practice focuses primarily on Trust and Estate Planning and Administration, Medicaid, and elder law. Prior to that Mike worked as an associate attorney at Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge in its Grand Rapids, Michigan office. In Grand Rapids, Mike gained valuable experience by using his degree in human resources to advise small business owners on entity formation, general business law and employment matters, contracts, and general litigation. Over time, Mike gravitated towards estate planning and elder law, where he can develop long term relationships with his clients and assist them in identifying and achieving their goals in all stages of life — and help them plan to avoid problems before they arise.

As an estate planner, Mike helps individuals, families, and business owners plan and prepare for all of life’s events. He helps clients prepare for marriage, the birth of a child, temporary illness or injury, and end of life decisions. He thoroughly enjoys getting to know his clients, their families, and their businesses, and developing plans that address and carry out their specific intentions and alleviate their concerns.

Often times it becomes necessary to plan and/or qualify for Medicaid or other assistance when the level of care unexpectedly increases beyond a family’s ability to pay. Mike helps families navigate through this process to ensure that loved ones receive a high quality of life and care and, at the same time, if possible or appropriate, to reduce the financial impact on the family. Mike also advises and assists families in the administration of estates and trusts after the death or incapacity of a loved one, and has represented clients in the probate litigation that can result.

Mike is a veteran of the United States Army and the Michigan National Guard, where he served as a paratrooper in the infantry and as a crew chief and helicopter repairer on Black Hawk Helicopters. After separating from service, Mike went to college and then law school. After graduating from Oakland University with a B.S. in Human Resources Development, and then Wayne State University Law School, Mike met his wife Stephanie while studying for the bar exam. They now have one young daughter and two dogs.

Published Works

  • A Glance at Gun Trusts (Co-Author Nicholas Reister), Michigan Probate and Estate Planning Journal (Vol. 33, Winter, 1987)

Honors and Awards

  • Michigan Super Lawyers, Rising Star, Estate Planning and Probate Attorney, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • American Bar Association
    Real Property and Trusts and Estates Section
    Taxation Section
  • State Bar of Michigan
    Probate and Estate Planning Section
    Disability Rights and Elder Law Section
  • Washtenaw County Estate Planning Council, 2015 - Present
  • Washtenaw County Bar Association
    Tax Law Section
    Probate and Estate Planning Section
  • Western Michigan Estate Planning Council, 2014-2015