My Story and Services

With nearly 20 years of experience, I take a thoughtful approach towards identifying opportunities while helping my clients navigate the trends with confidence. By leveraging the resources of Morgan Stanley, my clients are able to gain access to an industry leading investment platform, comprehensive lending resources, and a wide range of subject matter experts.

From planning a child’s education and buying a first home to saving for retirement and transferring wealth to the next generation, I’m proud to have been able to help my clients prepare for these monumental milestones.

If you’re looking for guidance on how to maneuver the intricacies of your financial life, please feel free to reach out. I look forward to being able to have a conversation around helping you prepare for a successful future.
Services Include
Securities Agent: IL, NC, WA, PA, WI, VA, TX, TN, OK, OH, NY, MI, MD, MA, IN, GA, FL, CA, AZ, KY; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

KEEPING YOU CONNECTED

My investment strategy leverages modern wealth tools and cutting-edge technology. By providing you with the digital resources you need for today’s world of modern wealth, I can help you come one step closer to achieving your financial goals.
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    Morgan Stanley Online
    Beyond viewing your account balance and activity, Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) has a suite of features that allow you to manage your everyday finances from paying bills and sending money to transferring funds and authorizing transactions with eAuthorizations.
    View Account
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    Spending and Budgeting Tool
    Track spending habits, categorize expenses and create budgets across your Morgan Stanley and external financial accounts with our Spending and Budgeting Tool.
    Tool Access
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    Total Wealth View
    View all your external financial accounts directly in Morgan Stanley Online or the mobile app. By linking your accounts, you’ll benefit from more informed wealth planning, secure data access and convenient connectivity.
    Access Total Wealth View
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    Digital Vault
    Digital Vault allows for easy sharing and convenient access to your most important documents from wills and deeds to financial statements and tax fillings. Easily manage your encrypted financial records all in one place.
    Vault Access
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    eDelivery
    eDelivery provides you with the ability to view statements and other documents electronically in lieu of paper. Clients who are registered in Morgan Stanley Online may enroll in eDelivery.
    Enroll in eDelivery
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    Goals Planning System
    Our Goals Planning System is built on Morgan Stanley's intellectual capital and capabilities, to provide our clients with comprehensive investing and planning solutions for their individual goals.
    Learn More
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    Morgan Stanley Mobile App
    Securely access your Morgan Stanley account from virtually anywhere. Simply download it on your mobile device and use your Morgan Stanley Online username and password to log in. From there you will have a resource of MSO on the go.
    Learn More

Upcoming Firm Events

We hope you will join us for this upcoming event.

U.S. Policy Pulse: Trump 2.0 and the Markets

DATE: February 25, 2025 at 4:15 p.m. ET

Join Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Chief Investment Officer, Lisa Shalett, on Tuesday, February 25, for a conversation with Chief Economic Strategist and Global Head of Thematic and Macro Investing, Ellen Zentner, and Head of U.S. Public Policy, Monica Guerra, on the top policy and regulatory actions that could impact investors in the months ahead.

CRC4192005 02/2025
Online

INVESTMENT INSIGHT FROM MY DESK TO YOURS

As a Financial Advisor, I make it a priority to not only help my clients stay up to date with their strategies but also with the market at large. Check here regularly to stay in the know with market news and content from my practice.
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    Thoughts on the Market
    Each week, Chief Cross-Asset Strategist Andrew Sheets, or a member of his team, offers perspective on the forces shaping the markets as well as insights on investment opportunities and risk across global asset classes.
    Listen to the Latest Episode
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    On The Markets Research Report
    Detailed market commentary from Morgan Stanley's thought leaders on topics such as global equities, fixed income, monetary policy and more.
    Read the Latest Report
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    GIC Weekly Research Report
    The Global Investment Committee's Lisa Shalett headlines this weekly look at markets, asset class performance and fixed income.
    Read the Latest Report

Location

35055 W 12 Mile Rd.
Ste 101
Farmington Hills, MI 48331
US
Direct:
(248) 848-8014(248) 848-8014

Meet My Team

About Joseph A. Michael

Joseph A. Michael is a Senior Vice President at Morgan Stanley. With nearly 20 years of experience, Joe takes a holistic approach towards his service model by providing assistance in a variety of areas to help clients navigate the sometimes-complex areas of their financial lives. What drives him is not just building trusting relationships but going beyond the pale to create effective solutions and prepare clients for their future endeavors. Joe firmly believes an effective strategy should not only consider your financial goals but also incorporate the personal ambitions that remain a priority in your life.

A graduate of Wayne State University, Joe began his career in the industry as a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch. Before joining Morgan Stanley, Joe was a Financial Advisor at J.P. Morgan in Farmington Hills for 18 years.

A Grosse Pointe native, Joe is passionate about traveling to experience new cultures and countries, participating in athletics (particularly golf and exercising), and spending time with his friends and family.
Securities Agent: IL, NC, WA, PA, WI, VA, TX, TN, OK, OH, NY, MI, MD, MA, IN, GA, FL, CA, AZ, KY; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

Investing

Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
  • Asset Management
  • Wealth Planning
  • Traditional Investments
  • Alternative Investments
  • Impact Investing
2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth
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2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth

Global growth is likely to be around 3% in 2025 and 2026, as tariff and immigration policies begin to slow the U.S. economy late next year, and China's underperformance restrains emerging markets.

Retirement

Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
  • 401(k) Rollovers
  • IRA Plans
  • Retirement income strategies
  • Retirement plan participants
  • Annuities
4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts
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4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts

Discover how planning for required minimum distributions from retirement accounts can help you fund future needs and support loved ones.

Family

Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
  • Estate Planning Strategies
  • 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Trust Services
Are You Prepared for Tax Day?
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Are You Prepared for Tax Day?

The countdown to Tax Day has begun. Here are some strategies to consider as the deadline approaches.

Financial Wellness

Enhancing Financial Wellness enables your workforce to do their best work. Companies that invest in financial wellness have an opportunity to:
  • Reduce employee stress,
  • Improve retention and engagement, and
  • Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce
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The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce

In the face of turbulent markets, the word “resilience” may be top of mind. Broadly speaking, resilience is the ability to “bounce back” when encountering life’s inevitable challenges.

Philanthropy

Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
  • Endowments
  • Foundations
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Impact Investing
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 
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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 

There’s more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here’s one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Joseph Michael today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
1Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

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2When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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3Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.

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4Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.

Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

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Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.

Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.

The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.

The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.

*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney.  The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.

Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)