Michael Licari

Paralegal: Beth Scheirer beth@b-blegal.com

Michael is an experienced planner, litigator, and problem solver. He represents clients in all matters related to estate and asset protection planning, probate, estates, trusts, elder law, Medicaid planning, guardianships, business transactions, and real estate. He also serves as a Guardian Ad Litem in probate matters and serves as a professional fiduciary as a Personal Representative (Executor) in an estate, Trustee, or Attorney in Fact under a Power of Attorney.

His practice touches on all stages of life. From the initial planning and protection stage during life - estate planning, real estate transactions, business succession, and legacy preservation, to the mid to late life stage - elder law issues, Medicaid planning, guardianships, and fiduciary services, to the end-of-life stage - trust and estate administration, non-probate transfers.

No matter the stage or circumstances, he approaches things with care and compassion. Many clients come to him to make some of the most difficult decisions during some of the most difficult times in their lives. He listens and takes the time to understand.   

The reality is, even the best laid plans can cause disputes and disagreements. Sometimes plans change. Sometimes people change. Sometimes circumstances change. Michael is an experienced litigator in more technical and complex probate, estate, and trust disputes. He is often involved in will and trust contests, guardianship disputes, and fiduciary litigation.

Sometimes litigation is necessary, but sometimes it isn’t. Michael believes that good legal advice isn’t just telling clients what they want to hear but being honest and direct about what they need to hear.

Prior to joining Bonahoom & Bobilya, LLC, Michael practiced at another Fort Wayne law firm and focused on General Insurance Defense, Medical Malpractice Defense, Employment Law, Employment Discrimination, Education Law, Civil Rights, Estate Planning, and Estate Administration.

In addition to helping clients, Michael enjoys spending time with family and friends, including his wife, Ashley, and their five children, Connor, Gianna, Eleanor, Dominic, and Bennett. He is a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Fort Wayne.

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Education

• Aquinas College (Grand Rapids, Michigan), B.A., Political Science and Business Administration (2010)
  
• Valparaiso University School of Law, J.D., (2013)
  

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Practice Areas

• General and Complex Probate, Estate & Trust Administrations
• Will Contests, Trust Contests
• Probate, Estate & Trust Litigation
• Guardianships
• Guardian Ad Litem
• Personal Representative, Trustee, and Power of Attorney Fiduciary Services
• General Litigation/Complex Civil Litigation
• Estate, Business Succession, and Asset Protection Planning
• Medicaid, Asset Protection, and Long-Term Care Planning
• Elder Law
• Business Transactional and Business Succession Planning
• Real Estate Transactions and Disputes

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Professional Associations & Memberships

• Super Lawyers - Rising Stars distinction for Probate and Trust Litigation - 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.
• Indiana State Bar Association
  • Indiana State Bar Association Leadership Development Academy Graduate (2024)
• Allen County Bar Association
  • Probate, Trust & Tax Section
  • Civil Litigation Section
• Fort Wayne Estate Planning Council
• Michigan Bar Association

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State Bar and Court Admissions

• Indiana
• U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana
• Michigan