Howard H. Collens
Top rated Estate Planning & Probate attorney in Huntington Woods, Michigan
Collens Estate Law
Practice Areas: Estate Planning & Probate, Estate & Trust Litigation, Elder Law; view more
Licensed in Michigan since: 1995
Education: University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2019 - 2024 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2008 Call today:
248-929-9773
Virtual Appointments Collens Estate Law
26075 Woodward AveSuite 200
Huntington Woods, MI 48070 Visit website
Details
At Collens Estate Law in Huntington Woods, Michigan, Howard H. Collens, functioning as both attorney and counselor, takes the time to listen to his clients, grasps their aspirations and delivers inventive, tailored solutions to fulfill their requirements. His practice areas involve:
- Estate planning
- Elder law
- Guardianships and conservatorships
- Patient advocate designations and living wills
- Powers of attorney
- Trusts
- Wills
- Nursing home patient advocacy
- Probate and estate administration
- Trust administration
- Special needs trust planning and administration
- Long-term care/nursing home and Medicaid planning
In his fiduciary role, Mr. Collens adeptly handles responsibilities related to guardianship, conservatorship, trusteeship and acting as a personal representative. He excels in crafting tailored estate plans for a diverse clientele, ensuring that trusts, wills and powers of attorney evolve to meet his clients' changing needs.
As a trusted advisor in estate administration, Mr. Collens assists his clients during challenging times by navigating the complexities of legal processes following the loss of a loved one. He is skilled in managing the sale and distribution of real estate through probate and trust estates and is an experienced litigator in probate courts across metropolitan Detroit, vigorously advocating for clients involved in disputes over estates, trusts and other related legal matters.
Mr. Collens combines empathy and understanding to help individuals and families plan for long-term care contingencies. He simplifies the Medicaid application process to cover care needs. In Michigan, where estate recovery poses a significant concern for long-term care recipients, he emphasizes the importance of proper real estate titling.
After receiving a B.A. with honors in English from the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor, in 1991, Mr. Collens earned his J.D. in 1994 from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Detroit, Michigan. The following year, he was licensed to practice law in Michigan. Additionally, he has concluded a certificate of completion from the Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s (ICLE) Probate and Estate Planning Program.
A respected figure in the legal community, Mr. Collens is an active associate of the State Bar of Michigan’s Probate and Estate Planning Section (including the Legislation Development and Drafting Committee) and the Legislative Committee of the Elder Law and Disability Rights Section. He also maintains affiliations with the Wayne County Probate Bar Association. His leadership roles include serving as a council member for the Elder Law and Disability Rights Section of the State Bar of Michigan.
Mr. Collens was instrumental in creating Michigan's Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act, demonstrating his dedication to enhancing legal frameworks. He co-chaired the Joint Committee of the ELDRS and Probate and Estate Planning Sections of the State Bar to develop executive orders and legislation for remote witnessing and remote notarization. He continues as an advocate to pass permanent law regarding remote witnessing and remote notarization in Michigan.
His recognition as a Leading Lawyer and by DBusiness Magazine repeatedly affirms his prominence in his field. Beyond his practice, he is a passionate educator, frequently speaking at ICLE, where he also contributes to the Elder Law Advisory Board.
Practice areas
Estate Planning & Probate, Estate & Trust Litigation, Elder LawFocus areas
Estate Planning, Guardianships & Conservatorships, Living Wills, Power of Attorney, Probate & Estate Administration, Trusts, Will Contests, Wills
- 40% Estate Planning & Probate
- 40% Estate & Trust Litigation
- 20% Elder Law
First Admitted: 1995, Michigan
Professional Webpage: https://collensestatelaw.com/howard-h-collens/
- ICLE Legislative Update Co-Author, 2023
- ICLE Legislative Update Co-Author, 2022
- ICLE Legislative Update Co-Author, 2021
- ICLE Remote Witnessing and Remote Notarization Co-Presenter, 2020
- Elder Law and Disability Rights Section's Co-Chair of the Joint Workgroup with Probate and Estate Planning Section focusing on remote witnessing and expanded remote notarization, 2020
- ICLE Legislative Update Co-Author, 2020
- ICLE Legislative Update Co-Author, 2019
- ICLE Legislative Update Co-Author, 2018
- State Bar of Michigan, Legislative Committee of the Elder Law and Disability Rights Section, Member
- Michigan, 1995
- State Bar of Michigan, Probate and Estate Planning Section, Member
- Legislation Development and Drafting Committee of the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of Michigan, Member
- State Bar of Michigan, Elder Law and Disability Rights Sections, Member
- State Bar of Michigan, Member
- Wayne County Probate Bar Association
- Macomb County Probate Bar Association Member
- Oakland County Bar Association Member
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan, 1995
- Area Agency on Aging 1B, Board Member
- Royal Oak Civic Foundation Trustee
- Senior and Caregiver Resource Network, Secretary, Former Vice President
- Greater Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce, President, 2012
- Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE), Elder Law Advisory Board
- Congregation Shir Tikvah in Troy, Former 2nd Vice President
- Lakeshore Legal Aid, Pro Bono Attorney
- Alzheimer’s Association Greater Michigan Chapter Wraparound Collaborative, Member
- Huntington Woods Senior Advisory Committee, Chair
- Huntington Woods Men's Club, Volunteer
- Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce, Past President
- Boys and Girls Club of Oakland and Macomb Counties, Volunteer
- Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
- Trusts and Estates, dBusiness Top Lawyer, 2020
- Certificate of Completion from the Institute of Continuing Legal Education's Probate and Estate Planning Program
- Institute of Continuing Legal Education's Probate and Estate Planning Program, Certificate of Completion
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, B.A., Honors: With Honors, Major: English, 1991
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Compassionate in a client's time of need. Insightful and creative problem solver.”
“Howard is excellent with clients in difficult situations.”
“Howard Collens is extremely knowledgeable in the area of Probate matters, and Probate Litigation. I have worked with Howard Collens on a number of complex Probate Litigation matters, and I have been very impressed with Howard's expertise in this area of the Law. I believe that Howard Collens is well qualified to be named to the Michigan Super Lawyers List for 2020. ”
“Howard has been a fantastic attorney and mentor. Although we practice in different practice areas, he has provided me with practical advice about being a lawyer and running a law firm. I have referred a number of clients to him for estate planning services and received positive feedback. He is very active in the legal community.”
“Howard is a wonderful estate planning lawyer.”
“I have known Howard Collens both as a mentor and as an individual to whom I refer estate planning cases. He is an incredibly professional and knowledgeable attorney. In addition, he is a kind and compassionate attorney who is very active in the local community. When I first opened my firm and joined the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce, he reached out to me and immediately offered to serve as a mentor. I have frequently called him for guidance with practice management and development. I plan to hire Howard, personally, next time I need to update my estate plan.”
“He his extremely thorough and knowledgeable.”
“Howard is compassionate counselor who is an effective advocate for his clients.”
Office location for Howard H. Collens
26075 Woodward Ave
Suite 200
Huntington Woods, MI 48070
Phone: 248-929-9773
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2019 - 2024
- Rising Stars: 2008
