Overview
Estate Planning Attorney
Marilyn is an attorney on the Estate Planning Practice Team. Her practice includes estate planning, estate and trust administration, estate taxation and charitable giving. She was elected by her peers to be a fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
For more information, please contact Marilyn Lankfer at 616/336-6817 or mlankfer@varnumlaw.com
Leadership
Honors & Recognitions
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, fellow
Best Lawyers in America® since 1993
Best Lawyers in America®, Women in the Law Spring Business Edition, Trusts and Estates, 2017
Grand Rapids Community Foundation Philanthropic Leadership Award
Grand Rapids Magazine, Top 10 Lawyers in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Magazine's Top Lawyers, Trusts and Estates, 2019 and 2020
Leading Lawyers, Trust, Will & Estate Planning Law
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Women in the Law, 2012
Michigan Super Lawyers® since 2005
Michigan Super Lawyers®, Top 50 Women, 2009
Michigan Super Lawyers®, Top 100, 2009
YWCA, TRIBUTE - Professions Award
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association
Grand Rapids Bar Association
Inforum
Michigan Estate Planning and Probate Council, 2003 - 2010; past treasurer
Michigan Uniform Trust Code Committee, one of the drafters of Michigan’s new Trust Code
Michigan Women Lawyers Association Western Michigan Estate Planning Council, past officer
State Bar of Michigan
Community Involvement
Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Board of Trustees, past chair
Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Professional Advisory Committee and LGBT Fund Advisory Committee
Leadership Grand Rapids
News & Publications
News
Publications
Practice Areas
Education
University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., cum laude, 1978
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
M.A. and B.A., with high distinction
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Court Admissions
- All Michigan state courts