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Where There’s a Will, There’s Not Always a Way… 

February 22, 2026

Estate planning attorney Jehan Crump-Gibson addresses a widespread misunderstanding about Wills and probate court that has been perpetuated through social media and public forums. Contrary to popular belief promoted by non-experts, having a Last Will and Testament does not prevent assets from going through probate court; instead, a Will merely serves as instructions for the court to follow when distributing assets held solely in the deceased person's name. The article explains that Wills cannot override beneficiary designations and that assets without joint owners or designated beneficiaries must still pass through the time-consuming and public probate process.

Who is affected

  • Individuals who have created or are planning to create Wills under the assumption they will avoid probate court
  • Beneficiaries and heirs waiting to receive assets from deceased loved ones
  • People following estate planning advice from non-experts on social media platforms (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube)
  • "Mama Debbie" and her children (used as illustrative examples)
  • Clients of Great Lakes Legal Group PLLC
  • Residents of Michigan seeking estate planning services

What action is being taken

  • Attorney Jehan Crump-Gibson is educating the public about the misconceptions surrounding Wills and probate court through this article
  • Great Lakes Legal Group PLLC is serving clients throughout Michigan and in federal courts
  • Crump-Gibson is serving as Faculty for the National Business Institute and the Institute of Continuing Legal Education on related matters
  • She is working as a legal analyst with Fox2 Detroit's The Noon

Why it matters

  • This matters because widespread misinformation about estate planning can lead to significant unintended consequences for families. When people believe their Will alone will protect their loved ones from probate court, they may fail to take the proper steps needed to actually avoid the time-consuming, public, and potentially costly probate process. This can result in delays for grieving families trying to access assets, unexpected court involvement, and situations where assets don't go to intended beneficiaries (such as when beneficiary designations override Will instructions). Proper understanding of these distinctions helps people make informed decisions about whether they need a Trust or other estate planning tools to achieve their actual goals of protecting their families and ensuring smooth asset transfers.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle

Where There’s a Will, There’s Not Always a Way…