Funerals and Tax Forms: Estate Planning Issues for Surviving Spouses
Going through the grief process is not the only difficult work that has to be done after the death of a spouse. Indeed, following this significant loss, handling the estate [...]
Michigan Business Courts: A New Approach to Litigation
Business litigation is changing in Michigan. Public Act 333 officially requires Michigan circuit courts that have three or more judges to establish specialized business court dockets. Those courts with less [...]
Don’t Let Your Drafting be Drafty
In my experience most attorneys fancy themselves as capable, even good, writers. Sadly, in my experience, many of them are wrong (or, at least, they don’t have or don’t spend [...]
Real Property Tax Appeals: What You Need to Know
Municipalities are sending out notices of real property tax assessments for 2015. For residential properties, there are very tight time frames for appeals to your local Board of Review (usually [...]
Does Law School Need to Change?
Are there changes afoot in law school education? Most assuredly. Law school enrollment is down dramatically. Administrators of law schools and firms that recruit a large number of the newly [...]
Is Relief on the Way for the FAA’s Outdated Drone Rules?
The word "drone" usually conjures up images of large unmanned planes hammering terrorists in their redoubts in Afghanistan. However, most drones are much smaller (and more benign) than that; in [...]
Protecting Your Vacant Commercial Property
Owners of vacant commercial real estate have two major issues on their hands. First, they are often interested in selling their property, if it is economically feasible. The second issue [...]
Environmental Concerns Flow from the Pacific Northwest to Michigan: Brake Pads and Pacific Salmon
Compare the two brake pads. Copper flecks are visible in the upper one. Photo courtesy of Washington Dept. of Ecology Environmental concerns are rarely local anymore. This is certainly the [...]
Banking Funds Garnishment Ruling
Good news for our banking clients: We recently secured a favorable opinion when the Court of Appeals found that the placing of funds in a bank account as a trustee [...]
Following the Trail of Wolf Legislation
The state of wolves in America varies by state. Certainly, Michigan has been at the center of the fray with not one, but two ballot initiatives for voters to weigh [...]
The State of Fracking in Various States
Who controls the regulation of hydraulic fracturing, known informally as “fracking”? This notion is being challenged in Michigan and other locations, too. It appears that state law is preeminent in [...]
“Main Street Fairness” Law Enacted in Michigan
Governor Rick Snyder signed legislation (to take effect October 1, 2015) designed to require online sellers of tangible goods to Michigan residents to collect the state’s sales tax, partially closing [...]
Good Tax News Just Passed by Michigan Legislature for Farmers, Fisheries
The Michigan Legislature and Governor are providing healthy tax cuts to promote the expansion of indoor farming and indoor fishery industries in Michigan. The Legislature passed changes to existing property [...]
Automotive News from Beyond our Borders
The automotive world is bigger than just Detroit. American cars and trucks are sold worldwide and other nations’ products compete with American ones, both here and abroad. Some global automotive [...]
January: Resolve to Revise Your Employee Handbook
You probably have a flotilla of New Year’s Resolutions in your head, both personal and professional. January is also a good time to review a variety of human resources issues, [...]
A Guide to the IRS Social Media Tools
The Internal Revenue Service is trying to stay current by utilizing social media. The reason: to inculcate improved customer service and to aid in increased tax compliance. Taxpayers can tap [...]
Last Minute Charitable Giving
As 2014 draws to a close, you can still squeak in some last-minute charitable giving, just in time to be able to deduct them on your 2014 income tax return. [...]
Best Practices for Preventing Boorish Behavior at the Holiday Party
Are you planning an office holiday party? Office parties are a great way to reward employees, create collegial bonding and boost morale. But office parties can also create unintended consequences [...]
Drones, Real Estate and the Law
photo by Mike Stocker/Sun Sentinel/MCT Drones have been in the news on the military front. But drones are being used at home in decidedly non-military ways. Many businesses [...]
Cranberries: Their Potential Impact on the Environment
If you just sat down to a delicious Thanksgiving dinner replete with turkey and some sort of cranberry accompaniment, you might be feeling quite satisfied with your food choices. Cranberries, [...]
