Individual Services – Estate planning, probate, and family law

• Executive Order Provides Immunity to Health Care Providers During COVID-19

  April 10, 2020

  A measure of relief has been afforded to health care providers on the frontlines of the battle in the COVID-19 pandemic.  On March 29, 2020 the Governor issued Executive Order 2020-30 (“EO-30”) containing a number of provisions designed to support and enhance the ability of health care providers to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.  One […]

• Court of Appeals Holds That Radiology Technician is Not Capable of Committing Malpractice

  April 8, 2020

  Whether a claim sounds in ordinary negligence or medical malpractice can have a significant impact on the viability of a plaintiff’s claim and the scope of damages available in the action. For a claim to sound in malpractice, the defendant must be an individual or entity capable of committing professional negligence as defined in MCL […]

• IRS People First Initiative Temporarily Adjusts Tax Compliance Programs

  April 6, 2020

  The Internal Revenue Service announced The People First Initiative (IRS Notice 2020-59) which seeks to provide relief on a variety of issues ranging from easing payment guidelines to postponing compliance actions as a response to financial hardships caused by COVID-19. The temporary changes include postponing certain payments related to Installment Agreements and Offers in Compromise, […]

• Critical Estate Planning Documents During COVID-19

  April 6, 2020

  Estate Planning Remains Important and Possible During COVID-19 As you take accurate precautions to mitigate COVID-19 to protect not only yourself but also your family, there are critical estate planning documents that will assist you and your family to navigate health and family issues should you become ill, quarantined, or hospitalized. These documents can be […]

• DOL Issues Additional Guidance on Families First Coronavirus Response Act

  March 30, 2020

  The DOL issued its first guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) last week that provided helpful information about paid sick leave and the expanded FMLA leave. Since then, the DOL has added significantly more information to its guidance, which clarifies several very important issues regarding the implementation of the FFCRA. Below we […]

• Agency Rulemaking in the Wake of COVID-19: How to Prepare

  March 27, 2020

  To say the regulated community’s situation is fluid during the time of COVID-19 would be an understatement. Questions swirl regarding compliance obligations, contract enforcement, agency enforcement, and more. At best, there is an inconsistent patchwork of agency responses. What will happen once the dust begins to settle? What will the new regulatory landscape look like? […]

• IRS RESPONSE TO COVID-19

  March 25, 2020

  IRS Notice 2020-18, which supersedes a more restrictive Notice 2020-17, provides taxpayers with relief concerning income tax filings and payments otherwise due on April 15, 2020.  For taxpayers with a due date for filing Federal income tax returns and making Federal income tax payments on April 15, 2020, the due date is automatically postponed until […]

• How Does Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order Impact Family Law?

  March 24, 2020

  Yesterday, Michigan families were preparing to comply and adapt to Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-21 (“Stay Home, Stay Safe”).  The Michigan Supreme Court issued a Statement, and the State Bar of Michigan also issued an Advisory regarding the impact on divorce and family law.  To assist you in understanding how you are impacted, we have […]

• Administering a Special Needs Trust

  March 22, 2020

  When a special needs trust is needed, careful consideration should be given so beneficiaries who also are receiving government benefits are not impacted by an inheritance. A special needs trust provides for the beneficiary’s discretionary needs in a manner that is intended to avoid disqualification from government benefit programs.  So, properly administering a special needs […]

• Workplace Issues Prompted By The COVID-19 Pandemic

  March 12, 2020

  The current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has prompted extraordinary public and governmental response, and with it, many practical questions for employers.  We are not medical doctors, and there is an abundance of advice available on-line about common-sense measures employers and employees can and should take to reduce the chance of exposure.  We also know that the […]