Elizabeth L. Luckenbach

Elizabeth Luckenbach is a member in the firm’s Troy office, where she excels in probate and fiduciary litigation, trust and estate administration, estate planning, and special needs planning. With more than 25 years of experience representing fiduciaries and individuals in all aspects of litigation, administration, and planning, Liz works tirelessly to advocate for her clients, treating each of them with the individual attention they deserve. Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® as an “AV/Preeminent Attorney®” because of her professionalism, preparedness, diligence, and skills as an advocate, Liz is respected by both her peers and the judiciary for the common sense and empathy she brings to the courtroom along with her ability to relate to her clients and help them stay focused on achieving their goals.

Liz is a Past President of the Wayne County Probate Bar Association, Past President of the Oakland County Bar Association, an Emeritus Trustee of the Oakland County Bar Foundation, a Life Fellow of the Oakland County Bar Foundation and a Fellow of the State Bar Foundation. In 2024 and 2025, she was ranked by Michigan Super Lawyers® among the top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan and the top 100 Lawyers in Michigan in the area of Estate and Trust Litigation.

• Representing clients in a multifaceted trust, estate, and civil litigation involving multiple trusts in excess of USD $7,000,000 consisting mainly of income-producing real property.
• Serving as a court-appointed special fiduciary of a trust, which consists of two sub-trusts and business interests valued at approximately USD $70,000,000.
• Representing a trustee and defending claims brought by a family member regarding the management of the trust valued at USD $13,000,000.
• Represented trust beneficiaries and related LLCs in litigation involving alleged breaches of fiduciary duties by former co-trustees, and in an arbitration regarding priceless personal property.
• Represented a trustee and personal representative of a trust and estate worth more than USD $260,000,000, where the client was on the receiving end of petitions to remove him as trustee and to surcharge him related to various allegations of breaches of fiduciary duties.

Liz is a frequent speaker on topics in the areas of probate and fiduciary litigation, trust and estate administration, estate planning, and special needs planning. Additionally, she has authored or co-authored the following publications of note:

• “Revocable Trusts: Michigan, Practical Law State Q&A, ”Thomson Reuters (2018-2024)
• “Probate: Michigan, Practical Law State Q&A,” Thomson Reuters (2018-2024)
• “Wills: Michigan, Practical Law State Q&A,” Thomson Reuters (2019-2024)
• “Last Will & Testament Line by Line, A Detailed Look at Last Wills & Testaments and How to Change Them to Meet Your Needs,” Aspatore Books (2009)
• “Inside the Minds: Trust and Estate Law Client Strategies,” Aspatore Books (2008)
• “Advising the Older and Disabled Client,” Institute of Continuing Legal Education (2004)