Richard S. Mroczka

Probate, Estate and Elder Law

• Guardianships
• Healthcare Power of Attorney
• Joint Survivorship
• Living Wills
• Power of Attorney
• Probate
• Trusts
• Wills

Why did you become an attorney?

While in college I was in the criminal justice program and, in order to graduate, we were required to participate in an internship program. One of my classmates' father was a practicing attorney in Detroit, Michigan and he offered me the opportunity to work in his office to fulfill my internship obligation. It was my first experience of any kind in a law office and I fell in love with it! The rest is history.  

What experiences (work and personal) help you to be a better attorney?

From a personal standpoint, I think my upbringing has played a key role. I grew up in a "blue collar" family in Warren, Michigan. Family, friends, honesty, loyalty and hard work were always most important. On a professional level, I have worked with thousands of people from all walks of life, all ages and with all different life experiences.

What made you choose your primary specialty focus of law?

After doing various types of litigation for my first 8-9 years of practice I realized that I didn't want that type of work to define my entire career. I was offered an opportunity to take client referrals from a large local financial establishmant and I took that opportunity. It opened my eyes to the gratifying area of estate planning - I really enjoy working with people in that setting and I discovered just how facinating the estate planning/estate administration world really is!

Describe your personal interest and hobbies.

My wife, Ellen, and I are avid golfers. We enjoy travelling - especially with friends - and of course getting together with family.

Free Initial Consultation?

Initial Consultation is free.
 

Typical Retainer Fees

$3,000 for hourly billed legal services, i.c. Trust Administration, Probate Administration, Guardianships, Conservatorships

Fixed-Price Services and Fees

Base pricing for Single Trust -  Complete Estate Plan - $1,200

Base Pricing for Married Couple Trust  - Complete Estate Plan - $1,500

Fees by Hourly Rate

Trust Administration, Probate Administration, Guardianships & Conversatorships - $3,000 retainer.

Attorney time and Legal Assistant time billed in 15 minute increments.  Attorney hourly rate:  $225 per hour Legal Assistant hourly rate:  $95.00 per hour

Degrees

Court Admissions

• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Certifications

• The Institute of Continuing Legal Education - Probate and Estate Planning Certificate Program

Bar Association Memberships

• Macomb County Bar Association
• State Bar of Michigan
• Macomb County Probate Bar Association
• Polish American Legal Society
• American Bar Association

Significant Cases

Although the vast majority of cases that we lawyers handle are not reported in the newspaper or on the local news they are all significant because while the public at large may not be interested in a particular client's legal matter, to the individual client it is their "world" that is being impacted in one way or another. I take great pride in knowing that I have assisted hundreds of clients and their families in preparing for the "unknown" that the future has in store for them.

Accomplishments

After attending Grand Valley State University on a football scholarship I then attended the Detroit College of Law at night while working as a law clerk at a large local law firm during the day. I have since represented hundreds of people in southeast Michigan - in fact, I have almost 9,000 closed client files!

Previous Employment

!986 - 1990.  I was a law clerk at a large plaintiffs personal injury law firm

1991 - 1999.  I was an associate attorney at a small, general practice law firm in Sterling Heights, Michigan

 1999 - Present.  I am the owner of the Law Offices of Richard S. Mroczka, PLLC