Ever since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co., 272 U.S. 365 (1926) that zoning ordinances were not an unreasonable extension of a municipality’s police power, nearly every state has passed an enabling act giving cities,...
Property Law
What Is The Liability Of Home Inspectors In Michigan?
In a typical real estate sale agreement where a buyer makes an offer to purchase a home from a seller, the buyer is often afforded the customary right of inspection. A buyer will often retain a home inspector that will assist in making an informed decision...
Can You Legally Own Lunar Rocks In The United States?
Space memorabilia is a consistently solid market and there is no shortage of collectors interested in NASA artifacts. This usually consists of autographed photographs, blueprints, tapes, astronaut equipment or even physical pieces of the spacecraft...
What Real Estate Transactions Are Subject To The Seller Disclosure Act In Michigan?
Michigan law requires a seller of residential property to fill out a standardized form disclosing what he or she personally knows about the home, including any past issues and current imperfections. This form must be completed and returned to the buyer or buyer's...
How Do Michigan Probate Courts Handle Disputed Property Ownership In Estate Administration?
Whether or not an item of personal property belongs to a decedent's estate is not always an easy determination. When it comes to real property or a vehicle, it is easy to determine legal ownership by simply looking at the title or deed (assuming that the real estate...
Can I Use My Private Property As Tax-Exempt Burial Grounds For Family Members?
After death, there are many options that families can select for the disposal of the loved one's remains. The most popular choices are burial in a public cemetery and cremation. More exotic options include cryogenic freezing of the body, burial at sea or even sending...
What Are The Rights And Responsibilities Of Joint Bank Account Owners To Each Other?
Imagine two people owning a house as joint tenants. Both parties can enter and exit the premises as they please. Both parties have an undivided interest in the property and have access to every corner of the parcel. Finally, if one of the parties should die, the...
Does The State Of Michigan Have Your Unclaimed Property?
You may not realize it, but the Michigan Department of Treasury may be holding unclaimed money that belongs to you. Over the years, there may have been uncashed checks, dormant bank accounts or safe deposit box contents held by businesses that you had forgotten about....
What Are My Rights As A Joint-Tenant Property Owner In Michigan?
In Michigan, there are three ways that multiple persons can be owners of real estate:Tenancy in Common: Each person owns a specific interest in the property (e.g. four owners own 25% each) and that person is free to sell or convey that interest to any other third...
What Is Michigan’s Real Estate Transfer Tax?
Michigan imposes a tax upon the seller or grantor of the following instruments recorded at the county register of deeds:Contracts for the sale or exchange of real estate or any interest therein (or any combination of sales or exchanges) or any assignment or transfer...
