Individual Services – Estate planning, probate, and family law

• Top Five Reasons Why You Should Have an Estate Plan

  January 19, 2022

  Did you make a New Year’s Resolution this year? Only about half of Americans keep some of their New Year’s Resolutions, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t set goals for yourself in the new year. One important and achievable goal is to get your estate planning in order. Here are five reasons to have an […]

• State of the Estate Tax

  December 20, 2021

  If you’ve followed along this year, it has been quite the saga of events in Washington, D.C. regarding the future of the estate and gift tax.  Despite all the proposals that floated through both chambers of Congress and President Biden’s proposals, the estate tax is ending the year right where we started – with just […]

• Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Issues New Order

  October 12, 2020

  On October 9, 2020, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued a new order implementing a number of statewide mandates in response to COVID-19. The order took immediate effect and remains in effect until October 30, 2020. The order establishes a number of limitations on how many people may attend a gathering, […]

• Estate Planning During the Pandemic

  August 24, 2020

  The pandemic has triggered an increased need to have proper estate planning.  As we continue to limit and restrict activity to contain the spread of the COVID-19, creating and executing a proper estate plan is still possible to protect you and your family should you become ill, quarantined, or hospitalized. While the pandemic has changed […]

• What Taxes Are Associated With an Inheritance?

  August 11, 2020

  There are three general types of tax: Estate tax is a tax imposed on the value of the estate of a deceased person before distribution to the heirs Inheritance tax is a tax imposed on a person who inherits property or money Gift tax is a tax imposed on the transfer of money or property to another person […]

• Protect Your College Student with an Estate Plan

  August 3, 2020

  A typical college-bound student’s packing list will include various “essential items” such as a mini-fridge, laptop computer, cell phone, clothes, and shower shoes.  An estate plan is probably the most “essential” item that will protect your college student and provide you peace of mind. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents have expressed concern […]

• Enter the Rainbow: Supreme Court Rules That Title VII Protects LGBTQ Workers

  June 16, 2020

  Monday, the Supreme Court in the case of Bostock v Clayton County Georgia put a spotlight on the rainbow that symbolizes the LGBTQ community by ruling that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act covers sexual orientation and gender identity. This puts an end to a deep split amongst the Federal Courts regarding the issue […]

• Executive Order (EO-64) prohibits discrimination in allocation of medical resources

  May 5, 2020

  Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order requiring hospitals to develop protocols to guide medical decision making in circumstances where demand for critical medical resources exceeds supply during the COVID-19 pandemic.  EO-64 further requires that the protocols prohibit “medical decision-making based on social stigma or stereotypes” regarding a long list of categories.  The preamble of […]

• Manufacturing Disinfectants 101: An Introduction to Regulatory Requirements

  May 4, 2020

  Since the COVID-19 outbreak, there has been a rush to enter the disinfectant industry to seize upon the significant need but short supply of disinfectant products. Because the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and individual states regulate disinfectants as pesticides, so many entering this market for the first time are quickly discovering the complicated steps […]

• Executive Order (EO-61) Fails to Clarify Scope of Immunity for Health Care Providers

  April 27, 2020

  On April 26, 2020, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a new executive order (EO-61) expanding certain provisions of a previously issued executive order (EO-30) which addressed immunity of health care providers.  As outlined in the prior alert, Executive Order Provides Immunity to Health Care Providers, EO-30 included a provision extending immunity from liability to “licensed […]