Andrew R. Byers is an attorney who focuses his practice on estate planning, elder law, and probate. He works with individuals and families to address the legal, financial, and health care planning issues that arise as people age or encounter major life transitions such as preparing for retirement, managing blended families or second marriages, or dealing with serious illnesses. His goal is to help clients maintain their dignity and independence in the event of incapacity, protect their assets from taxes, legal proceedings, and long-term care costs, and preserve a legacy for their beneficiaries. His practice is grounded in a holistic, client-centered approach, using a range of legal strategies to help clients prepare for the future, protect their assets, and maintain control over personal and financial decisions.
Andrew provides comprehensive estate planning services, including the preparation of Wills, Trusts, and powers of attorney. He advises clients—whether middle-aged, approaching retirement, or already retired—on how to plan for incapacity, avoid unnecessary probate, and structure their estate plans to reflect their long-term goals and values.
A key focus of Andrew's practice is long-term care and Medicaid planning. He helps clients and their families develop strategies to qualify for Medicaid while preserving assets for spouses and future generations. This includes advising on the use of various types of Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts, planning for the community spouse, and navigating the Medicaid application process.
In addition to estate and Medicaid planning, Andrew represents clients in probate proceedings and provides guidance to personal representatives and trustees during estate and trust administration. He also assists families with guardianship and conservatorship matters when a loved one is no longer able to make informed decisions.
Whether you are planning ahead or responding to a difficult situation, Andrew can help you navigate the complex legal and financial issues that arise later in life with clarity and practical solutions.
Professional Credentials
- In the private practice of law for 28 years in Oakland County, Michigan.
- Admitted Attorney: all Michigan state courts and the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- Member, State Bar of Michigan
- Member, Probate & Estate Planning and Elder Law Sections of the State Bar of Michigan
- Member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
- Member of Wealth Counsel
- Holds a Certificate of Completion in the areas of Probate and Estate Planning issued by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. The Certificate Program is a systematic training program developed by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the Probate & Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of Michigan.
- Holds Accredited Attorney status by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Education Background
Andrew R. Byers was conferred a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctor degree from the Wayne State University Law School. During law school, he was an assistant editor on the Wayne Law Review, a scholarly journal on Michigan law and other legal topics. In law school, Andrew was awarded the Gushee Writing Award for best student work published in the Wayne Law Review and the American Jurisprudence Award for highest grade obtained in Constitutional Law. To supplement his academic experience, during law school, Andrew worked as a law clerk with a large law firm and was a judicial intern for the Macomb County Circuit Court. Andrew was admitted to the Michigan State Bar in 1996.
Recent Blog Posts
Understanding Care Options for Older Adults in Michigan: Group Homes, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Nursing Homes
What Your Estate Plan Might Be Missing: The Crucial Role of Beneficiary Designations in Michigan
Inheritance, Heirlooms, and the Heart of Michigan Estate Planning
The Role of a Successor Trustee in Your Revocable Living Trust
Michigan's Proposed Higher Medicaid Asset Limit Increase: What You Need to Know
Recommendations
- I found that Andrew Byers was very knowledgeable and efficient on our first family meeting. Unfortunately my husband passed away shortly there after. On our second meeting everything was resolved very quickly. I will not hesitate in recommending Andrew to any friends or family members. July 12, ...
- We were looking for an attorney to guide us through the process of setting up a trust, but didn't know what to expect. Andrew Byers is knowledgeable and thorough in explaining the process and we feel confident that we have our trust set up to meet our future needs. We recommend Andrew to assist a...
- Andrew helped guide us through the long and confusing process of end-of-life legal obstacles for our loved one. His knowledge & professionalism is exceptional, and I will not hesitate to use Andrew again in the future should the need arise. December 1, 2022
- I am not one to leave recommendations, but in this case I feel Mr. Byers deserves all of the positive praise I can share. He was recommended to me by a colleague and the recommendation proved to be a godsend! The Medicaid process is confusing and difficult to navigate without expert assistance. M...
- Andrew Byers was my attorney while we were addressing a particularly complicated estate, even further complicated by COVID restrictions and delays. He was informative and helpful the whole duration. I knew next to nothing about the process and the relevant laws going in. The work was taken care o...
- Dealing with an aging parent has it's difficulties. One of the difficulties my family encountered while dealing with an aging parent was enrollment in Medicaid. After reading reviews on lawyers that handle elder law, our family decided to contact Mr. Byers. Having Mr. Byers handle the enrollment ...
- My family has worked with Andrew Byers for over 10 years. He obtained VA benefits for my mother when she lived in assisted living. When my mother moved into a nursing home he worked with Medicaid for benefits for our mother. He was very professional. We are very pleased with how Andrew handled ou...
- I would definitely recommend attorney Andrew Byers for elder care planning and estate planning. He is thorough and caring, explaining everything so you can understand the next steps. He is a true professional and I have recommended him to other. I am a very satisfied client with peaceful mind as ...
- Andrew was great to work with. He is very thorough and committed to see the process through to the end. He worked with us to complete a trust and veterans assistance for our elderly mother. We very much appreciate all of his efforts, as this was a very hard and trying time for our family. I highl...
- I would highly recommend Andrew Byers for Estate Planning and Probate legal services. Mr. Byers prepared the estate planning documents for both of my parents and assisted with the probate of my father's estate after his passing. Mr. Byers' expertise and professionalism were greatly appreciated. H...
- Our family highly recommends Andrew for estate planning services. December 30, 2020.
- Andrew was truly a blessing. Could not have had a better experience. He cruised us through getting my mother in law approved for medicaid help as she is in a nursing home with dementia. Never could we have done it with out you. When we would hit a bump in the process he was right there guiding th...
- I would definitely recommend Andrew Buyers, for anyone needing Elder Law He gave me a consultation over the phone. He was not pushy whatsoever give me some fantastic advice prior to my commitment to him through our contract. He was very knowledgeable in the process of obtaining Medicaid for my el...
- Mr. Byers developed a plan that was efficient and cost effective .
- Take it from me, if you have a family member that has become dependent on 24 hours of care and need to apply for Medicaid to cover nursing home expenses, you should obtain an experienced lawyer familiar with elder law. After obtaining Mr. Byers to handle the Medicaid application, it was a great r...
- My father had a terminal illness. Mr. Byers met with my father and quickly identified his estate planning needs and the need for durable and healthcare powers of attorney. He maintained appropriate confidentiality with my father while keeping me up to date that progress was being made getting the...
- My entire family has worked with Andrew Byers for the past several years. He is very knowledgeable in matters regarding elder law. He has helped us with trusts, Medicaid applications, Probate questions and obtaining Employer Identification Numbers for deceased parents. He responds very promptly a...
- I'm recommending Andrew Byers to any who wants an attorney that you can trust with any situation you might need help with. Trustworthy and professional is what Andrew is about, he has been our attorney for various situations for over 10 years. I would tell anyone call Andrew if you want someone y...
- Andrew has handled family business for many years, he put in order my mother's long term care and financial program, he also put living trust together for two of my brothers. I live in LA and was in need of Andrew's service to clear a real property issue in Michigan based on the living trust of o...
- Andrew was easy to work with and very knowledgeable. Felt confident with decisions we made by way of his direction.
- Great and job well done.
- You always kept me informed, and up to date on my case. You promptly returned my phone calls. You had concern about the outcome of my case.
- Mr. Byers and AmyJo are wonderful. They were able to process my father's medicaid application quickly and accurately. Mr. Byers also was able to protect my elderly mother from losing her independence. Thank you for helping our family during a stressful and difficult situation.