Michael David Shelton

Mike is a managing shareholder who joined Ferguson Widmayer & Clark PC in 2015. Mike focuses his practice on estate planning, trust and estate and administration, wealth and tax planning for high-net-worth clients, and elder law. Prior to joining Ferguson Widmayer & Clark, Mike advised small business owners on entity formation, general business law and employment matters, contracts, and general litigation. Over time he gravitated towards estate planning, wealth and tax planning, and elder law, because he enjoys developing long-term relationships with his clients and assisting them in identifying and achieving their goals in all stages of life. As an estate planner, he helps individuals, families, and business owners plan and prepare for all lifes events. Mike enjoys assisting clients prepare for marriage, starting a family, temporary illness or injury, and end of life decisions. Mike often advises clients and other attorneys on matters involving inherited retirement accounts; reducing gift tax, estate tax, and generation skipping transfer tax exposure; and related property tax and income tax issues. In addition to more complex tax matters, Mike helps clients navigate through the later stages of life to ensure that clients or their loved ones receive a high quality of life and care, while at the same time, if possible or appropriate, reducing the financial impact on the family. 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, he graduated from Oakland University with a B. S. in Human Resources Development in 2008, magna cum laude, and then from Wayne State University Law School in 2011, cum laude. Mike met his wife Stephanie while studying for the bar exam. They have a lovely daughter and enjoy spending their free time with their extended family. Published Works Chapter in Trust Administration Under the Michigan Trust Code (Administering Retirement Accounts Payable to the Trust) (Institute of Continuing Legal Education 2017) 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, 2014-2016 & 2018-2021 Professional Associations and Memberships Michigan Bar Association Probate and Estate Planning Council, 2022-present Chair of Legislative Monitoring and Analysis Committee, 2022-present Member of Uniform Power of Attorney Act Ad-Hoc Committee, 2021-present American Bar Association Real Property and Trusts and Estates Section, 2015-present Taxation Section, 2015-2022 Homes for Generations Program, Pro Bono Attorney Washtenaw County Estate Planning Council, 2015-present Washtenaw County Bar Association, 2015-present Probate and Estate Planning Section Western Michigan Estate Planning Council, 2014-2015