State Rep. Doug Wozniak, R-Shelby Township, celebrated the House passage of his bills that modernize and streamline Michigan’s probate and trust laws, providing greater clarity, flexibility, and consistency for fiduciaries and families.

House Bill 4033, the Unitrust Act, modernizes trust administration by allowing fiduciaries to convert income trusts to unitrusts and use updated distribution methods that reflect current estate planning practices. HB 4034 amends the Uniform Statutory Rule Against Perpetuities to clarify technical rules around nonvested property interests and powers of appointment.

“This legislation brings Michigan in line with national best practices,” said Wozniak. “Together, these bills ensure that our trust laws are clear, predictable, and responsive to the needs of both fiduciaries and families.”

The Uniform Law Commission, which Wozniak serves on, recommended the changes incorporated into his legislation. It includes the ability to base payouts on rolling averages, set ceilings and floors on distributions, and vary rates based on market data. These updates aim to reduce volatility and better reflect modern estate planning needs.

“As a law attorney, I know how important it is to keep our estate laws current,” said Wozniak. “These bills give peace of mind to families and empowers trustees with the clarity and flexibility they need to handle long-term trusts and sensitive probate matters.”