James Steward |

Steward Sheridan Attorneys At Law

James Steward | Steward Sheridan Attorneys At Law

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Mr. Steward has over 35 years’ experience in handling probate and estate planning issues. He is certified as an Elder Law attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation (as accredited by the American Bar Association). He was the first Certified Elder Law Attorney in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and the second attorney in the State of Michigan to be certified as an Elder Law attorney. He is the past Chair of the State Bar of Michigan Probate and Estate Planning Section Council, and also a past member of the Elder Law and Disability Rights Section Council. He continues to serve on several committees for both of those organizations. His practice emphasis is on Elder Law, which deals with such matters as Estate Planning (including both revocable and irrevocable Trusts), nursing home issues, Medicaid applications, asset protection (including special needs Trusts), Estate and Gift Tax planning, probate administration, Trust administration and guardianship/conservatorship questions. However, he also handles estate planning for younger clients, including those with young children. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Probate and Trust Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, and is a past chairperson of the State Bar Awards Committee, having served three years in that capacity. He is also a past President of the Marquette County Bar Association. He was one of the original members of the Commission on Aging for the City of Negaunee, and served on that Commission for 12 years (and was elected chairperson several times). He also served on the Marquette County Commission on Aging for six years.

In 2019 Attorneys James Steward and Angela Hentkowski, both of Steward & Sheridan, PLC, obtained a decision from the Michigan Supreme Court overruling a Medicaid policy adopted by Michigan in 2014. This victory helps couples obtain Medicaid coverage when one spouse requires nursing home care. Attorneys Steward & Hentkowski have both been included on the annual Michigan Super Lawyers listings for many years (such selection is through peer nomination & evaluation, plus independent research by the Super Lawyers rating criteria).