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...
Month: July 2020
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...
Michigan Court Of Appeals Rules Absentee Ballots Received After Election Day Are Not Counted (Even If Timely Postmarked)
On July 14, 2020, the Michigan Court of Appeals decided that absentee ballots received by the city or township clerk after Election Day will not be counted, even if the ballot was postmarked on or before the date that the polls closed. In League of Women Voters...
What Is The Process For A Judicial Foreclosure In Michigan?
The foreclosure process can be a scary time for homeowners because it is hard to know what to expect. There are two types of foreclosures: judicial foreclosure (processed and supervised by the court) and foreclosure by advertisement (no court involvement). ...
Michigan Court Of Appeals Reverses Termination Of Parental Rights Due To DHHS’s Failure To Make Reasonable Efforts Towards Reunifying The Family
The Michigan Court of Appeals released its opinion regarding In re Doering, unpublished per curiam opinion of the Court of Appeals decided July 16, 2020 (Docket No. 351631) and reversed a Monroe County trial judge’s decision to terminate a father’s parental...
When Does A Minor Child Need A Conservator In Michigan?
It seems strange that a child would come into a substantial sum of money at a tender age. However, the passing of a parent or family member might result in a life insurance policy payout or a large inheritance. Since children do not have the maturity or...
