On June 3, 2025, the Michigan Poverty Law Program and Crime Victims Legal Assistance Project partnered with DeWaun Robinson and other dedicated leaders of the Flint Juneteenth Collaborative to lead a powerful and practical community training. The training focused on the vital importance of advance planning—educating participants about the best use of tools like wills, powers of attorney, and deeds that protect families, property, and personal agency.
The presenters outlined the real risks of failing to plan, including the imposition of unwanted guardianships that can strip individuals of their autonomy, and the legal and emotional challenges heirs face when a loved one passes without having properly transferred title to real property. Without clear ownership, families are often unable to maintain, sell, or make critical decisions about property, especially homes that hold generational value. Presenters included Robert Donald, Pro Bono Managing Attorney at Lakeshore Legal Aid.
Attendees left empowered with actionable knowledge and resources to help them safeguard their legacy, avoid court entanglements, and ensure that their wishes—and their families—are protected long into the future.
