By default, parties to litigation in the United States are generally responsible for their own attorneys’ fees and expenses under the “American Rule”, unless specific authority is granted by statute, court rule or agreement to assess them against the other...
Month: October 2022
What Are The Tax Consequences Of Receiving An Inherited IRA?
When someone inherits an individual retirement account (IRA) from a deceased person, they find themselves at the crossroads of making tax planning decisions where the wrong move can lead to expensive consequences. The options available to the beneficiary of...
Former Southfield City Clerk Pleads Guilty To Violations of Election Law And Resigns Office
On Thursday, October 20, 2022, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that embattled Southfield City Clerk Sherikia Hawkins resigned from office after pleading no contest to a felony count of misconduct in office. During the 2018 general election in Southfield,...
What Is The Correct Way For A Testator To Sign A Last Will And Testament In Michigan?
In Michigan, a valid last will and testament requires all of the following: It must be in writing. MCL 700.2502(1)(a). It must be signed by the testator or in the testator’s name by some other individual in the testator’s conscious presence and by the...
What Is A “Lion Cub” Deed?
A controversial topic in Michigan estate planning is the use of a “lion cub” deed as a method to transfer property to others while accomplishing three major goals simultaneously: probate avoidance, property tax uncapping, and minimizing Medicaid divestment...
How Does A Personal Protection Order Affect Your Right To Possess Or Use Firearms In Michigan?
In Michigan, a person can petition the circuit court to enter a personal protection order against another person restraining him or her from coming into contact with or entering the premises where the petitioner is located. If a valid personal protection order...
What Vehicles Are Authorized To Use Crossovers On Limited Access Highways In Michigan?
When driving on an interstate highway in Michigan such as I-75 or I-94, you may have noticed crossovers between the lanes of traffic going in opposite directions with a sign indicating “AUTHORIZED VEHICLES ONLY”. What vehicles are authorized under the Michigan...
What Should You Do If You Find A Dead Body In Michigan?
Most episodes of Law & Order begin with regular New York citizens going about their business when they discover a deceased person on the street, in an alley or even in a building hallway. Suddenly, they are witnesses in a homicide investigation and are...
What Defenses Are Available To Defeat DUI Charges In Michigan?
There is a common misconception among many people (and even some lawyers) that DUI charges in Michigan are unbeatable. It’s not hard to see why. Police officers at a traffic stop usually have the driver undergo a series of field sobriety tests before making...
