Attorney Melisa M. W. Mysliwiec - Fraser...

Melisa M. W. Mysliwiec

Shareholder / Grand Rapids, Lansing


Areas of Focus


Education

  • Western Michigan University Cooley Law School (J.D., cum laude, 2006)
  • Grand Valley State University (BS, 2003)

Bar & Court Admissions

  • State Bar of Michigan
Experience
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Melisa compassionately and effectively advises clients and implements individualized and creative planning techniques for her clients in the areas of elder law, Medicaid planning, estate planning, and trust and estate administration.

Melisa is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), a council member of the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of Michigan; chair of the Committee on Special Projects (CSP) of the Probate and Estate Planning Council; managing editor of the State Bar of Michigan's Probate and Estate Planning Journal; a member of the Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s (ICLE's) Elder Law Advisory Board; a board member of the Spartan Stores YMCA, a branch of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids; and former member and chair of the St. John Vianney Catholic School Board School Board for St. John Vianney Catholic School. Melisa is also a regular contributor for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) and writes articles and provides presentations educating the public in the areas of elder law, Medicaid planning, estate planning, and trusts & estates.

Professional Associations
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  • Fellow, The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) (2022-Present) Fellow The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
  • State Bar of Michigan
    • Probate and Estate Planning Section
      • Council Member, (2016-Present)
      • Committee on Special Projects, Chair (2021-Present)
      • Court Rules, Forms, and Procedures Committee, Chair (2017-2021)
      • State Bar and Sections Journal Committee (2012-Present)
      • Citizens Outreach Committee (2012-2017)
      • Real Estate Committee (2012-2017)
      • State Bar and Sections Journal Committee (2012-Present)
      • Section Journal Committee (2008-2012)
      • Amicus Curiae Committee (2008-2012)
    • Elder Law and Disabilities Rights Section
  • Institute of Continuing Legal Education
    • Elder Law Advisory Board (2016-Present)
  • Grand Rapids Bar Association
    • Probate and Estate Planning Section
  • Western Michigan Estate Planning Council
  • St. John Vianney Catholic School Board
    • Vice Chair (2017-2018)
    • Secretary (2016-2017)
    • Chair (2014-2016)
    • Board Member (2012-2018)
  • SpartanNash YMCA, Wyoming, MI
    • Board Member (2016-Present)
Honors & Distinctions
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  • Achieved an AV Preeminent® peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Selected as a Super Lawyers 'Rising Star' for Elder Law (2013-2021)
  • Completed Probate and Estate Planning Certificate Program, Probate and Estate Planning Section, State Bar of Michigan and The Institute of Continuing Legal Education
  • Selected as a '2022 Leading Michigan Lawyer' by Leading Lawyers for Elder Law; first named in 2017
Publications & Presentations
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  • Michigan Probate and Estate Planning Journal
    • Managing Editor (2021-Present)
    • Assistant Editor (2008-2021)
  • Chapter Author, "Getting Started," (2015-Present), Michigan Estate Planning Handbook, Second Edition, The Institute of Continuing Legal Education
  • Chapter Author, “Trustee Reports,” (2022-Present), Trust administration under the Michigan Trust Code, Second Edition, The Institute of Continuing Legal Education
  • Moderator, Litigation Track at The Institute of Continuing Legal Education's 7th Annual Elder Law Institute (September 2022)
  • Presenter, ICLE’s “Trustee’s Duty to Inform and Report to Beneficiaries,” ICLE’s Administration of Trusts under the Michigan Trust Code (December 2021)
  • Presentation "Interactive Long-Term Care Planning Decision Tree," at the Institute for Continuing Legal Education’s Elder Law Certificate Program (September 2021)
  • Presenter/Author, Institute for Continuing Legal Education's Certificate Program for Elder Law (2018)
  • Presentation "Hands-On Medicaid Workshop: Planning Strategies and Divestment," at the Institute for Continuing Legal Education’s Elder Law Institute (September 2018)
  • Presentation "Completing the Medicaid Application: a Hands-On Workshop," at the Institute for Continuing Legal Education’s Elder Law Institute (September 2017)
  • Presenter for Alzheimer's Association's Legal and Financial Update, Greater Michigan Chapter (2016-present)
  • Presenter for Eaton Regional Education Service Agency: Parent Advisory Committee for Special Education, "Social Security Benefits for Children with Disabilities" (March 2016)
  • Chapter Author, "Getting Started," (2015), Michigan Estate Planning Handbook, Second Edition, The Institute of Continuing Legal Education
  • Lecturer for The Institute of Continuing Legal Education: Elder Law Institute, 1st Annual, "Government Benefits A to Z," (September 2015)
  • "Medicaid Update," Ingham County Bar Association, Probate and Trust Law Section (2015)
  • "Taxable Value Uncapping Relating to Transfer of Ownership," Legal Update 2015, Greater Lansing Association of Realtors (May 2015)
  • "Tax Planning: Consider Termination of Late Spouse's Trust," Ingham County Legal News Briefs (April 2014)
  • "Estate Strategies: Settling Personal Injury Claims Involving Minors Parts I and II," Ingham County Legal News (August and September 2013)
  • "Tools available to avoid, limit payment to the Medicaid Estate Recovery Program," Michigan Lawyers Weekly (August 6, 2012)
  • "Estate Strategies: Why Everyone Should Consider Gifting in 2012," Ingham County Legal News (May 10, 2012)
  • "Estate Strategies: Michigan's Medicaid Estate Recovery Program," Ingham County Legal News (January 26, 2012)
  • "Federal Estate Tax Update," Michigan Bar Journal (May 2010), Volume 89, No. 5
  • "Long Term Care and Medicaid," The Grand Rapids Press, Attorney Guide (November 3, 2009)
  • "Michigan's Estate Recovery Law," co-author, Michigan Probate and Estate Planning Journal, Vol. 27, Summer 2008, No. 3
Testimonials & Client Matters
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"Thank you so much for helping us with this. You've been such a blessing through this entire process, and we can't begin to describe how thankful we are for your grace and guidance in handling the estate." - Private Client

"I just saw [a] posting on LinkedIn on your firm receiving a First Tier ranking from US News and World Report [- Best Lawyers]. Congratulations to the Fraser Firm and all of you. I certainly have received a First Tier service with your help on my aunt." - Private Medicaid Planning Client

"Melisa was a great help to us in applying for Medicaid for my dad, whose dementia had progressed to the point of him having to go into a nursing home. She not only got the application approved the first time, but saved my elderly mom thousands of dollars with her knowledge of Irrevocable Trusts and how they work with the Medicaid process." – Private Client

“I’ve worked with a few lawyers over the years, and none have been as easy to work with or as reasonably priced as the team at Fraser Trebilcock Davis & Dunlop. Melisa helped me compile and submit my Father’s Medicaid application, which was a very confusing and emotional process for me. She helped to make sense of everything, and was very patient with me throughout the process. I would highly recommend Fraser Trebilcock for anyone in need of a good lawyer.” – Bob Staser

"[Melisa] is very knowledgeable in Medicaid and estate planning. She has great temperament and ethical standards." – Private Practice Attorney