Howard H. Collens

Howard H. Collens, as an attorney and counselor, listens to his clients, understands their goals and offers creative, effective solutions to meet their needs. He advises clients in estate planning for estates of every size. Focusing on the unique aspects of each representation, Mr. Collens tailors trusts, wills and powers of attorney to meet the present and changing needs of his clients. Mr. Collens is a trusted counselor for those seeking representation for estate administration. He helps families following the death of a loved one as they navigate the complexities of the probate process or trust administration. He regularly guides his clients through the sale, distribution, of real estate holdings by probate and trust estates. With litigation experience in the probate courts throughout metropolitan Detroit, Mr. Collens is a strong advocate for those involved in contested estates, trusts or other probate cases. With understanding and compassion, Mr. Collens assists individuals and their families in planning for their long-term care needs. He eases the process of applying for and obtaining Medicaid benefits to pay for such care. Since estate recovery is a reality for those receiving long-term care in Michigan, proper titling of real estate is even more important today than ever. Howard H. Collens is a founding member of Collens Estate Law. Mr. Collens focuses his practice on contested and uncontested probate and trust administration, guardianships and conservatorships, estate planning, and elder law. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Elder Law and Disability Rights Section. He is serving in his second stint as a member of the ELDRS’s Council and is a member of the ELDRS’s legislative committee. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Probate and Estate Planning Section. He serves on the PEPS’s Legislative Development and Drafting Committee. He is a member of ICLE’s Elder Law Advisory Board. He has completed ICLE's Probate and Estate Planning Certificate Program. He is a member of the Wayne County Probate Bar Association, Oakland County Bar Association, and the Macomb County Probate Bar Association. He serves as a member of the Board of the Area Agency on Aging 1B -Ageways. He is a trustee of the Royal Oak Civic Foundation. He is a former chair of the Huntington Woods Senior Advisory Committee and former president of the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He has been selected as a Super Lawyer each year from 2019 to 2024 including being recognized as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan in 2023 and 2024. Mr. Collens speaks regularly on topics of fiduciary access to digital assets, remote witnessing and remote notarization, estate planning, and estate administration. Awards and Honors Super Lawyers® Selectees Howard H. Collens included in a Super Lawyers® list Honors Certificate of Completion from the Institute of Continuing Legal Education's Probate and Estate Planning Program Selected to Super Lawyers – Top Rated Estate Planning & Probate Attorney Recognized through peer selection on Leading Lawyers DBusiness Top Lawyers 2021 – Howard H. Collens Named Top Lawyer 2021 Trusts and Estates Re-elected to a second term as Council Member of the Elder Law and Disability Rights Section (ELDRS) of the State Bar of Michigan DBusiness Top Lawyers 2018 – Howard H. Collens Named Top Lawyer 2018 Trusts and Estates DBusiness Top Lawyers 2017 – Howard H. Collens Named Top Lawyer 2017 Trusts and Estates DBusiness Top Lawyers 2016 – Howard H. Collens Named Top Lawyer 2016 Trusts and Estates DBusiness Top Lawyers 2014 – Howard Collens Named Top Lawyer 2014 Trusts & Estates DBusiness Top Lawyers 2013 – Howard Collens Named Top Lawyer 2013 Trust & Estates Elected President of Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce DBusiness Top Lawyers 2012 – Howard Collens Named Top Lawyer 2012 Trusts & Estates Selected to Super Lawyers – Selected as One of Michigan’s Rising Stars 2008 Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce names Howard Collens Ambassador of the Year Other Sources of Feedback About Howard H. Collens Included on the 2026Michigan Super Lawyers list Past Lists 2025 Michigan Super Lawyers list 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers list 2023 Michigan Super Lawyers list 2022 Michigan Super Lawyers list 2021 Michigan Super Lawyers list 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers list 2019 Michigan Super Lawyers list 2008 Michigan Super Lawyers list

• Member
• Attorney and Counselor

• Jackson Area Estate Planning Council Guest Speaker on Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act
• 2014 Fall Elder Law and Disability Rights Conference Do I Have to Read the EULA?

• Board Member, Area Agency on Aging 1B
• Member, Alzheimer’s Association Greater Michigan Chapter Wraparound Collaborative
• Pro Bono Attorney, Lakeshore Legal Aid
• Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE), Elder Law Advisory Board

• Michigan, 1995
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan, 1995

• State Bar of Michigan (Member)
• State Bar of Michigan, Elder Law and Disability Rights Section (Council Member)
• State Bar of Michigan, Legislative Committee of the Elder Law and Disability Rights Section (Member)
• State Bar of Michigan, Probate and Estate Planning Section (Member)
• State Bar of Michigan, Legislation Development and Drafting Committee of the Probate and Estate Planning Section (Member)
• Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) (Elder Law Advisory Board)
• Wayne County Probate Bar Association
• Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce, 2012 - 2014 (Board of Directors and President)
• Huntington Woods Senior Advisory Committee (Former Chair)