Jonathan J. David

As an experienced estate planning, probate and trust administration, business, and real estate lawyer, Jonathan (Jay) David focuses on providing high quality legal representation to help his clients achieve their objectives. He understands the importance of responding to a client's needs quickly and efficiently and will begin working for a client immediately upon being retained. His practice areas include:

• Estate (and Lifetime) Planning: Providing advice on and preparing a wide variety of lifetime and estate planning related documents including Wills, Trusts (Revocable, Irrevocable and Pet Trusts) Durable Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements, and Trust funding documents.
• Probate and Trust Administration: Representing personal representatives in the administration of a decedent's probate estate and trustees in the administration of a decedent's trust.
• Business Entity Selection, Organization and Planning: Helping clients determine the right type of legal entity and structure for their business and preparing the formation documents. 
• General Business: Serving as general counsel to businesses, which includes, advising on the governance, management and ongoing operations of the business entity, succession planning, as well as preparing contracts, buy sell agreements, applications for beer, wine and liquor licenses, and documents for merger and acquisition transactions.
• Commercial and Residential Real Estate: Preparing purchase agreements, conveyancing documents, mortgage and security documents, leases, and other real estate-related documents for both residential and commercial real estate. 

His clients include:

• Dentists and dental practices
• Restaurants
• Retail businesses
• Real Estate professionals
• Health care professionals
• Automobile and boat dealerships
• Manufacturing companies.

In addition to his practice, Jay is a published author on estate planning issues. He regularly contributes a question-and-answer column through a nationally syndicated news service for senior publications. 

In response to questions such as, "How can probate be avoided?", "How can I protect my pets?" and "How can I protect my family if something happens to me?", Jay wrote an e-book, Estate Planning: You Have to Start in Order to Finish. This e-book is free and available for download below.

A lifelong Grand Rapids resident, Jay is a writer, a voracious reader, a runner and a sports enthusiast. He is married to a dog and animal lover, and they have two adult children.

Best Lawyers in America® - Trusts and Estates, 2024-2025

Legal Affiliations:

• Grand Rapids Bar Association
• Justice Foundation of West Michigan
• State Bar of Michigan

Industry & Professional Associations:

• West Michigan Estate Planning Council, Past Board Member
• RunGR.com, Past Board Member
• ALS of West Michigan., Past Board Member