Direct, personalized representation at every stage of the probate and estate planning process.
Biography
Sally is the founder and President of Babbitt Legal Group, PC a Michigan based law firm focusing on issues relating to death and incapacity. As an attorney, mediator, author, speaker, and media host & guest, Sally works with clients facing legal challenges involving wills, trusts, power of attorney documents, guardianship, conservatorships, and other probate matters in both a preventative/planning role as well as in an advocacy role in probate litigation.
With over 21 years' experience Sally has tried many cases, prepared many estate plans, spoken and taught on multiple occasions, appeared on radio, TV, and podcasts as both a co-host as well as a guest, written a variety of articles and recently published a book called, "When the Gloves Come Off: Why America's Families Are Fighting in Court."
Education
JD Thomas M. Cooley Law School
• May 2000
• Lansing, MI
A.B. Albion College May 1986
• Albion, MI
• Major in Economics & Management with focus on Accounting
Post Graduate Certificate San Diego State University Global Campus December, 2020
Forensic Psychology
Certificate: Institute of Continuing Legal Education – Renew annually
• Probate and Estate Planning
Certificate: Institute of Continuing Legal Education – Renew as required
• Mediation for Domestic Relations Cases
Certificate: Institute of Continuing Legal Education – Renew as required
• Mediation for General Civil Cases
Honors and Awards
2022: 517 Magazine – 2022
• Featured in article entitled “Pod People”
2017: Capital Area Women’s Lifestyle Magazine – 2017
• Featured in Section of “local Women”
2017: American Cancer Society – 2017
• Selected as one of nine area women to represent the “Power in Purple Campaign
2015: Michigan Lawyers Weekly – 2015
• Interviewed for Article entitled, “Staying out of trouble: Solos have ways to spot, deal with problem clients”
2009: Lawyer’s Weekly Top 20 Up & Coming Lawyers – 2009
• Received award for Top 20 Up & coming Lawyers in Michigan
Teaching Experience
2017 Resolution Services Center of Mid-Michigan – 2017
• Trainer for Mediating Probate Litigation Cases for Certificate Candidates
2016 National Business Institute – 2016
• Presenter/Instructor for Estate Planning for Owners of Oil & Gas Rights
2015 & 2016 American Agricultural Law Association Symposium – 2015 and 2016
• Taught succession planning for Agricultural Clients
2005 & 2006 Thomas M. Cooley Law School – 2005 and 2006
• Adjunct Instructor: Law Office Management
2004 & 2005 Baker College of Owosso – 2004 and 2005
• Adjunct Instructor: General Education
• Taught Study Skills and Writing
Publications
Books
• When the Gloves Come Off: Why America’s Families are Fighting Each Other in Court. 2022,
Bookbaby Publications; ISBN 978-1-66782-582-3
Journal Publications
• The Growing Need for the Use of Independent Trustees , Ingham County Bar Association Briefs, January, 2021
• Farmers Face Unique Challenges in Estate Planning, Michigan Farm Bureau Farm News, January 20, 2015
• Monday Profile: Sally Babbitt. Ingham County Legal News, February 9, 2015. (featured)
• Enhanced Knowledge in Contested Probate Matters Can Prove Helpful, Ingham County Legal News, April 16, 2015.
• What Do Family Farms and Family Cottages Have in Common?, State Bar of Michigan Agricultural Law Section website, August, 2015
• Schumacher Enlightens Section Members on Oil and Gas Leases, Ingham County Bar Association Briefs, 2014
• Blended Families Bring Special Issues to Estate Planning, Ingham County Bar Association Briefs, October 2014
• 2013 Elder Law and Disability Rights Section Fall Conference Delivers Again, State Bar of Michigan Elder Law and Disability Rights Section Newsletter 2013
• Critical Cases to Watch: Township of Richmond v Rondigo, LLC, State Bar of Michigan Agricultural Law Section website, July 2013
Professional Work Experience
Babbitt Legal Group, PC 2016 to present
• Founder and President
• Legal Services including probate and estate planning, probate litigation, fiduciary services, expert witness testimony, and mediation services.
Lasky Fifarek, PC 2014-2015
• Of Counsel
• Legal Services including probate and estate planning, probate litigation, fiduciary services, expert witness testimony, and mediation services.
Chalgian & Tripp Law Offices, PLLC 2011-2014
• Attorney
• Legal Services including probate and estate planning and probate litigation.
PNC Bank Wealth Management 2010-2011
• Relationship Manager
• Served as team coordinator and lead client recruitment for high income/high net-worth clients
Law Office of Sally D. VanDenBerg 2000-2010
• Founder and Attorney
• Formed and developed solo practice with legal services including family law, estate planning and probate, probate litigation, and mediation services.
Speaking Engagements
• 2022 Delta Kiwanis Club, keynote speaker on contested probate matters and my book.
• 2022 Delta Rotary Club, keynote speaker on contested probate matters and my book.
• 2021 Holt Rotary Club, keynote speaker on estates, trusts, probate issues
• 2020 Michigan House Judiciary Committee, testified before the committee regarding a proposed amendment to the Estates and Protected Individuals Code
2019 Eaton Rapids Business and Professional Women, keynote speaker on the issues of estate planning and probate
• 2019 Albion College Planning Giving Department, spoke to department regarding best methods of obtaining planned gifts for the college
• 2018 Anatomy of an Agricultural Client, Ingham County Bar Association Probate and Trust Section meeting keynote speaker
• 2017 Expert Witness, provided expert witness testimony in jury trial regarding trust administration issues in Shiawassee County Probate Court
• 2017 Summary of probate litigation cases, Ingham County Bar Association Probate and Trust section meeting keynote speaker
• 2016 Michigan Farm Bureau “Take Roots Conference”, presenter at conference regarding special issues for agricultural clients in succession planning
Bar And Community Service And Pro Bono Work
Resolution Services Center of Mid-Michigan
Volunteer mediator to present
Resolution Services Center of Former Board Member, Vice-President, and Treasurer
Multiple Yrs.
St. Luke Lutheran Church
Multiple Yrs.
Board Member
Ingham County Bar Association Probate & Trust Section 2017-2022
Co-chair of the section
Greater Lansing Estate Planning Council
Multiple Yrs.
Board Member and President
State Bar of Michigan Agricultural Law Section Publications
Chair 2016
Women Lawyers Association of Mid-Michigan, Board Member
2015
Ingham County Bar Association and Eaton County Bar Association
Member for multiple years
Pro Bono Litigation and Estate Planning Work
Various cases through present
Media Activities
Wakeup with Mike Austin on WILS 1320 AM and Legal Analyst.
Mid-Michigan Pet Expert Show on WILS 1320 AM
Guest and occasional co-host through present
Life Studies Podcast
Co-creator and co-host 2021-2022
Fox 47 Morning Blend
Monthly guest 2016-present
Cases of Interest
In re: Miller Osborne Perry, 299 Mich App 515 (2013)
Staff attorney on case, involving the question of whether a petition to determine “cause” would trigger a terror clause.
In re: Mark Moon Estate (unpublished January 27, 2011, COA #294176)
Trial attorney for case that generated two appeals, both of which affirmed the trial court’s decision that a partnership had been formed between a father and son who farmed together even without formal documents and filings.
- Trainer for Mediating Probate Litigation Cases for Certificate Candidates, 2017 Resolution Services Center of Mid-Michigan
- Presenter/Instructor for Estate Planning for Owners of Oil & Gas Rights , 2016 National Business Institute
- Taught succession planning for Agricultural Clients, 2015 & 2016 American Agricultural Law Association Symposium
- Adjunct Instructor: Law Office Management, 2005 & 2006 Thomas M. Cooley Law School
- Adjunct Instructor: General Education, Taught Study Skills and Writing, 2004 & 2005 Baker College of Owosso
- 2022 Delta Kiwanis Club, Keynote Speaker on Contested Probate Matters and My Book
- 2022 Delta Rotary Club, Keynote Speaker on Contested Probate Matters and My Book
- 2021 Holt Rotary Club, Keynote Speaker on Estates, Trusts, Probate Issues
- 2020 Michigan House Judiciary Committee, Testified Before the Committee Regarding a Proposed Amendment to the Estates and Protected Individuals Code
- 2019 Eaton Rapids Business and Professional Women, Keynote Speaker on the Issues of Estate Planning and Probate
- 2019 Albion College, Planning Giving Department, Spoke to Department Regarding Best Methods of Obtaining Planned Gifts for the College
- 2018 Anatomy of an Agricultural Client, Ingham County Bar Association Probate and Trust Section Meeting Keynote Speaker
- 2017 Expert Key Witness, Provided Expert Witness Testimony in Jury Trial Regarding Trust Administration Issues in Shiawassee County Probate Court
- 2017 Summary of Probate Litigation Cases, Ingham County Bar Association Probate and Trust Section Meeting Keynote Speaker
- 2016 Michigan Farm Bureau, "Take Roots Conference", Presenter at Conference Regarding Special Issues for Agricultural Clients in Succession Planning
- Greater Lansing Estate Planning and Probate Council, President
- Resolution Services Center of Central Michigan, Board Member, Past Treasurer, and Volunteer Mediator
- St. Luke Lutheran Church, Board Member
- Eaton Rapids Medical Center Foundation, Board Member
- American Cancer Society’s Power in Purple Campaign
- Ingham County Bar Association Probate & Trust Section, Co-Chair of the Section, 2017 - 2022
- State Bar of Michigan Agricultural Law Section, Publications Chair, 2016
- Women Lawyers Association of Mid-Michigan, Board Member, 2015
- Ingham County Bar Association and Eaton County Bar Association, Member for Multiple Years
- Pro-Bono Litigation and Estate Planning Work, Various Cases through Present
- When the Gloves Come Off: Why America's Families are Fighting Each Other in Court. 2022, Bookbaby Publications; ISBN 978-1-66782-52-3
- The Growing Need for the Use of Independent Trustees, Ingham County Bar Association Briefs, January, 2021
- Farmers Face Unique Challenges in Estate Planning, Michigan Farm Bureau Farm News, January 20, 2015
- Monday Profile: Sally Babbitt, Ingham County Legal News, February 9, 2015
- Enhanced Knowledge in Contested Probate Matters Can Prove Helpful, Ingham County Legal News, April 16, 2015
- What Do Family Farms and Family Cottages Have in Common?, State Bar of Michigan Agricultural Law Section website. August , 2015
- Schumacher Enlightens Section members on Oil and Gas Leases, Ingham County Bar Association Briefs, 2014
- Blended Families Bring Special Issues to Estate Planning, Ingham County Bar Association Briefs, October 2014
- 2013 Elder Law and Disability Rights Section Fall Conference Delivers Again, State Bar of Michigan Elder Law and Disability Rights Section Newsletter 2013
- Critical Cases to Watch: Township of Richmond v. Rondigo, LLC, State Bar of Michigan Agricultural Law Section website. July 2013
- Mid-Michigan Pet Expert Show on WILS 1320 AM - Guest and co-host through present
- Life Studies Podcast, co-creator and co-host, 2021 - 2022
- Fox 47 Morning Blend, monthly guest, 2016 - Present
- Served as Video Host for a Legislative video for the Citizens for Prison Reform non-profit, April, 2023
- Wakeup with Mike Austin on WILS 1320 AM and Legal Analyst.
Certified Legal Specialties
- Institute of Continuing Legal Education Probate and Estate Planning
- Institute of Continuing Legal Education Mediation for Domestic Relations Cases
- Institute of Continuing Legal Education Mediation for General Civil Cases
Practice Areas
- Estate Planning & Administration
- Probate Litigation
- Trustee Services
- Business Planning
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Honors
- Featured in 2022 517 Magazine "Pod People" Article
- Featured in 2017 Capital Area Women's Lifestyle Magazine "local Women"
- Selected as one of nine area women to represent 2017 American Cancer Society "Power in Purple Campaign"
- Interviewed for 2015 Michigan Lawyers Weekly Article "Staying out of trouble: Solos have ways to spot, deal with problem clients"
- 2009 Lawyer's Weekly Top 20 Up & Coming Lawyers