At Grand Traverse Estate Planning, we provide trusted guidance in estate planning and probate services. Serving Traverse City and the surrounding areas, our dedicated team is here to ensure your wishes are honored and your peace of mind is protected.
About Grand Traverse Estate Planning
At Grand Traverse Estate Planning, we help individuals and families prepare for the future with thoughtful, personalized estate plans. Every client is unique, and we take the time to understand your goals, values, and family dynamics. Our responsive, client-focused team provides clear guidance and education throughout the process, so you feel informed and confident in every decision. Whether planning ahead or navigating the unexpected, we’re here to protect your assets and support your loved ones.
Our Services
01.
Estate Planning
Our estate planning services help you manage and distribute assets according to your wishes—during your life and after. We guide you through creating key documents like wills, trusts, and durable powers of attorney, and assist with post-death planning to ensure smooth administration. We prioritize education so you fully understand your plan and feel confident your legacy is protected.
02.
Probate Services
Navigating probate can be complex and emotionally challenging. We offer compassionate, expert guidance to executors and beneficiaries—handling everything from court filings to asset distribution—while ensuring full compliance with Michigan law. Our goal is to ease your burden with clear communication and reliable support.
03.
Trust Administration
We assist with preparing and recording property deeds to ensure your real estate is titled correctly in alignment with your estate plan. Whether transferring ownership into a trust, adding or removing names, or ensuring a smooth transition upon death, our deed services help protect your assets and avoid probate complications.
04.
Other Services
We provide strategic business planning services, helping you choose the right legal structure—such as an LLC or corporation—to protect your assets and support long-term success. In addition, we work closely with financial advisors to ensure your estate plan and financial goals are fully aligned. This collaborative approach creates a cohesive strategy for managing your business and personal assets, both now and for future generations.
Meet Your Attorney
Joseph J. Garavaglia, J.D.
Founder, Grand Traverse Estate Planning
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Joseph Garavaglia brings a unique blend of legal, environmental, and personal experience to his estate planning practice. A native of the Detroit area, Joe holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Lake Superior State University, a Master of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Michigan, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
Before entering the legal field, Joe worked in environmental consulting, focusing on regulatory compliance for large industrial manufacturers. His work frequently brought him to Lansing and Washington D.C., where he collaborated with government agencies on environmental policy.
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While attending law school at night and working full-time, Joe discovered a desire to connect more personally with the people he served. This led him to focus exclusively on estate planning and probate law. He joined a boutique estate planning firm where he managed all probate hearings in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, guiding families through the complexities of post-death administration and helping grow the firm’s probate department.
In 2018, Joe joined Estate Planning Solutions PLLC, further deepening his expertise. In 2025, after relocating to Traverse City with his family, he founded Grand Traverse Estate Planning to serve the needs of Northern Michigan residents with a personalized, client-focused approach.
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Joe is a member of the Probate and Estate Planning sections of the Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland County Bar Associations.
Communities We Serve
Serving Traverse City and Surrounding Areas - we can come to you!
At Grand Traverse Estate Planning, we proudly serve clients in Traverse City and throughout Northern Michigan, including the surrounding cities and counties:
Counties:
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Grand Traverse County
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Leelanau County
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Benzie County
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Antrim County
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Kalkaska County
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Wexford County
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Charlevoix County
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Manistee County
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Cities & Towns:
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Traverse City
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Suttons Bay
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Elk Rapids
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Kingsley
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Interlochen
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Lake Ann
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Glen Arbor
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Empire
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Frankfort
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Cadillac
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Kalkaska
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Bellaire
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Charlevoix
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Petoskey
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Manistee
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And more...
