Aretha Franklin, the “Queen of Soul” died on August 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan, leaving an estate behind to be managed. She purportedly died without a last will and testament, meaning that her four sons would inherit the estate under Michigan’s intestate...
MONROE, MICHIGAN LEGAL BLOG
Why Does Britney Spears Remain Under A Conservatorship?
In 2008, a California judge approved the appointment of a conservator to oversee the estate and financial affairs of pop star Britney Spears after a series of public breakdowns. Originally, the conservators appointed by the court were her father Jamie Spears...
Can You Refuse To Take A Field Sobriety Test In Michigan?
If you are pulled over in your vehicle on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, the police officer may demand that you perform field sobriety tests to demonstrate whether you are actually impaired. In performing these tests, they can either provide some...
How Can You Get A Presidential Pardon?
Roger Stone, a former campaign advisor to Donald Trump, was charged by federal prosecutors with seven felonies (one count of obstruction, five counts of false statements, one count of witness tampering). He was convicted by a jury of all counts on November...
Michigan’s COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Ends July 16, 2020: What Happens Now?
In response to the devastating social and financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-19 on March 23, 2020 ordering that all eviction actions in the State of Michigan are frozen until April 17, 2020. This...
What Are The Penalties For Tampering With An Odometer In Michigan?
Odometer fraud is a serious crime that robs its victims of thousands of dollars in inflated costs for high-mileage vehicles. Even worse, it tends to target a population of low-income people who are the largest market for used cars and trucks. The victims...
Can You Discharge Federal Or State Tax Debt In Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
There are many administrative tactics that taxpayers can use to reduce or eliminate their outstanding tax debt. They can enter into an installment plan with the IRS or the state revenue agency to make payments over an extended period of time to avoid offsets. ...
Michigan Supreme Court Rules Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act Does Not Allow Recovery For Pretrial Detention
On July 23, 2020, the Michigan Supreme Court issued its opinion in Sanford v Michigan, __ Mich __ ; __ NW2d __ (2020)(Docket No. 159636) and ruled that the Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act does not permit an exonerated prisoner to recover for the period...
Michigan Supreme Court Rules Local Governments Can No Longer Keep Profits From Property Tax Foreclosure Sales
On July 17, 2020, the Michigan Supreme Court issued its opinion in Rafaeli, LLC v Oakland County, __ Mich __ ; __ NW2d __ (2020)(Docket No. 156849) and ruled that local governments can no longer retain the surplus proceeds from tax foreclosure sales on real...
Can You Refuse To Take A Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) In Michigan?
If you are pulled over in your vehicle on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, the police officer may demand that you submit to a preliminary breath test (PBT). Unlike the larger and more accurate Datamaster machines at the police station, the PBT is a...
