SHAREHOLDER
Cynthia Umphrey helps families and business owners make significant personal and professional life decisions. Ms. Umphrey calls upon over 20 years of experience in estate planning, post-death administration, business structuring and business exit planning to guide you through life’s most important choices.
Estate Planning & Post-Death Administration: Ms. Umphrey walks her clients through the entire estate planning process with care. Some concerns she will help you resolve include: how to set aside money and assets for your family, who should make decisions for you if you are incapacitated, and who should care for your children if you are unable to do so. She will ensure your future plans are followed as much as possible without court interference. She is well versed in the many and often detailed matters that need to be addressed after a death and handles highly complex federal estate tax and post-death business and family distribution matters.
Business Planning: Ms. Umphrey understands that business owners are faced with day-to-day questions as well as major quandaries. She handles everything from troubleshooting on employee or collections issues to engaging in strategic planning and protecting your family and business in the event of a death. Ms. Umphrey works proactively to create a plan that puts you in the best possible legal and financial position now and in the future.
Cynthia Umphrey has been selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 in the fields of Trusts and Estates and Closely Held Companies and Business Law. Ms. Umphrey has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® since 2024. Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® is based on comprehensive peer-review surveys, which this year, comprised of more than 16.1 million confidential evaluations by top attorneys.
DBusiness Magazine recognized Ms. Umphrey as a 2025 DBusiness Top Lawyer for her work in Trusts and Estates as well as Corporate Law.
Ms. Umphrey is a frequent lecturer for The Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Lorman Education Services, the National Business Institute and other organizations. The Detroit Legal News, the Oakland Legal Press and Bottom Line Business Publications have published or quoted her articles and she has appeared on the Business Reality Network.
Income Tax Alert for Landlords; Commentator, Winter 2019
Refocusing Your Estate Plan Under the New Tax Act; Commentator, Winter 2018
Exciting News in Creditor Protection; Commentator, Spring 2017
Asset protection – LLCs best practices; Commentator, Summer 2012
Business owners must relinquish some control to reach new level of success; Commentator, Winter 2011
Good news for businesses seeking simple creditor protection; Commentator, Spring 2011
Excellent Leaders Can Set Vision, Be Strong Enough to Admit Mistakes; Crain’s Detroit Business, June 2009
Starting My Exit Planning Early; Octane: The Entrepreneurs’ Organization Magazine, June 2009
Has The Economy Changed Your Perspective on Retirement?; Crain’s Detroit Business, May 2009
Adjust Your Strategic Business Plan for Success; Crain’s Detroit Business, April 2009
Secrets to Business Survival; Commentator, Summer 2008
Life Insurance: It Can Create a Windfall Before You Die; Commentator, Fall 2007
Retain Valuable Employees with “Golden Handcuffs”; Commentator, Spring 2006
PRACTICE AREAS
