Services
Education
University of Michigan Law School, LL.M., 2016
Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D., 1981
Western Michigan University, B.A. 1977
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Court Admissions
U.S. District Courts
- Western District of Michigan
- Eastern District of Michigan
Named as one of the top 100 estate planning attorneys in the country by Worth magazine in 2005, John Van Slambrouck takes a personal interest in each of his clients.
For more than 20 years, he has been helping clients minimize taxes, increase income, avoid probate and create estate plans that meet their personal estate planning goals and objectives. John also represents trustees and personal representatives by efficiently and cost-effectively guiding them through the legal requirements of trusts and estate administration. He also represents clients in will and trust litigation and assists families with guardianship and conservatorship matters.
Representative Matters
John assisted a family with a significant net worth that wanted to make gifts to their children totaling several million dollars. The problem was that the clients had already used their gift tax credit, which meant that the desired gift would cost the clients millions in taxes. After some creative thinking, John was able to come up with a plan that allowed his clients to transfer several million dollars worth of stock to their children tax free.
Honors
U.S. News & World Report, Best Lawyers in America, Trusts and Estates, 2010-present; Trusts & Estates Litigation, 2011-present; Kalamazoo Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year, 2018, 2021 & 2024; Kalamazoo Trusts & Estates Litigation Lawyer of the Year, 2022
DBusiness Magazine, Top Lawyers, Trusts and Estates, 2023
Grand Rapids Magazine, Top Lawyers, Family Law, 2022
Hour Detroit, Top Lawyers of Michigan, 2015
Michigan Super Lawyers, Estate & Probate, 2014-present
Leading Lawyers, Trusts & Estates, 2013-present
Top 100 Trusts and Estates Attorneys in the U.S., Worth Magazine, 2005
Professional Activities
American Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
State Bar of Michigan, Probate and Estate Planning Section
Kalamazoo County Bar Association, Past Chairman, Probate Practice Committee; Past Member, Legislative Committee; Past Chairman, Professional Responsibility Committee
Western Michigan Planned Giving Group
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
West Michigan Estate Planning Council
Civic, Cultural & Social Activities
American Cancer Society, National Professional Advisors; Planned Giving Committee
Reformed Church of America, Commission on Judicial Business, 2013-present
Park Club, Board of Directors, 2012-present, President, 2013-2014
Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Board of Directors, 2016-2021
Kalamazoo Christian School Foundation, Board of Directors 2002-2016; Board President 2003-2006; Finance Committee Chair 2009-2010
Western Michigan University Foundation, Past Member
Teen Heart, Board of Directors, Past President
Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Kalamazoo 1998
Third Reformed Church, Board Member; Chairman Endowment Committee
Kalamazoo Christian School Association, Former Secretary Board of Directors
South Christian Grade School, Former President Board of Directors
Milwood Little League Baseball, Coach
YMCA Youth Basketball, Coach
The Navigators, Member
National Ski Patrol, Former Member
Speeches
Frequent lecturer on various estate and gift tax planning matters and frequent commentator for the State Bar of Michigan continuing legal education program. A sample of presentations given includes the following:
"Choosing a Trustee - A Critical Decision in Estate Planning," Presented to trust officers, financial advisors, attorneys and CPAs, June 15, 2017
"Estate and Gift Tax Law Update for 2014," Presented to Michigan Bankers Association, January 13, 2014
"The Changing Landscape for LGBT Gift and Estate Tax Planning," Presented to Kalamazoo Community Foundation, January 17, 2014
"Tax Law Update: Estate, Gift, and Charitable Giving," Continuing education conference for certified public accountants, October 3, 2013
"Understanding Estate and Gift Tax: Your Estate Tax Matters," Presented to Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation Board of Directors and select donors, October 2012
"Understanding Estate Planning" presented to Board of Directors and donors, Park Village Pines, May 2013 and May 2012
"Estate and Gift Tax Planning Update for 2012," Presented to Centerpoint Church, November 2012
"Maximizing and Protecting Wealth Through Proper Estate Planning," Presented to Mercantile Bank Board of Directors and select customers, April 2011
"Estate and Gift Tax Law Update," Presented to Board of Directors and select donors of the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, October 2011
"Estate Planning Strategies for Avoiding Probate, Eliminating Estate Taxes, and Maximizing Charitable Giving," Presented to donors and members of 16 various nonprofit organizations, November 8, 1997
"Estate Planning," Consumers Credit Union, South Haven, Michigan, November 17, 1997
"Tax Payer Relief Act of 1997," Institute for Continuing Legal Education, November 12, 1997
"Understanding Estate Planning and Charitable Giving," Third Reformed Church of Kalamazoo, January 14, 1995
"Understanding Estate Planning and Living Trusts," John Hancock Financial Services, Kalamazoo, Michigan, January 10, 1995
"Estate and Gift Tax Planning," Lions Club Cabinet Meeting, October 30, 1994
"Accessing Legal Services," Regional Conference on Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Related Issues, Western Michigan University, October 28, 1994
