About Douglas
Douglas McPhail is an attorney based in Michigan who concentrates on estate planning and elder law. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Mass Communications from Taylor University in 1984 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 1988. Those academic foundations inform his approach to the legal issues that affect families and older adults.
After completing law school, McPhail began practicing in Michigan. Over time he developed a practice that addresses the legal needs that arise as people plan for incapacity, the transfer of assets, and long-term care. He handles the documents and court processes that help families manage transitions. His work has involved drafting wills and trusts, advising on powers of attorney and health care directives, and guiding clients through probate and guardianship matters.
Clients and colleagues describe his methodical handling of files and attention to detail. He places emphasis on clear explanations and practical options. That approach can reduce confusion at stressful moments. He often works with families to outline multi-step plans that consider tax implications, beneficiary designations, and the interaction between private planning tools and public benefits programs.
McPhail maintains professional ties beyond his practice. He is a current member of WealthCounsel, an organization that provides resources and continuing education for estate planning practitioners. He also holds other professional memberships that connect him to local and statewide lawyer communities in Michigan.
In the office he balances document preparation with strategy sessions. He spends time listening to clients’ goals and then translating those goals into legal instruments. He prepares revocable and irrevocable trusts, special needs planning documents, and directives intended to streamline decision-making if a client cannot speak for themselves. When estate administration becomes necessary, he assists executors and trustees through the required filings and duties.
He has kept his practice centered in Michigan state courts and agencies, which shapes how he advises on Medicaid eligibility and long-term care options. His practice reflects the procedural and regulatory realities that families face when aging or coping with incapacity. He currently practices estate planning and elder law in Michigan.
