What is Dower (Or Why Does My Wife Have to Sign the Deed?)

Real Estate

Michigan remains one of the few states in the country to retain, for married women, what are called “dower” rights.  Dower is defined as the wife’s right, under common law, upon her husband’s death, to a life estate in one-third (1/3) of the land her husband owned in...

Tenancy By the Entireties Property: Bankruptcy, Probate and Collection Issues

Bankruptcy

Michigan remains one of only few states that continue to recognize the ability of a husband and wife together to own property as tenants by the entireties.  In fact, if persons  are husband and wife and are married at the time they took title to a parcel of real...

Tax Uncapping: What is it and Why You Should Care

Real Estate

Let’s start with a little history.  Back in 1994, as part of general tax reform, the voters of the State of Michigan enacted various legislation (called Proposal A), that amended the state constitution to increase the state sales tax and reduced (for the time being)...

Naming a funeral representative (and why you might need one)

Probate & Estate Administration

One of the best hitters of all time was Ted Williams. When he passed away in July, 2002, his children fought over the disposition of his remains. (He wound up beheaded and his head was cryogenically frozen in the hope that sometime in the future a cure will be found...

Digital Assets: When You Are Gone Are They Gone Too?

Probate & Estate Administration

Most people today have some type of digital or on-line account where they store a variety of information including photos, bank, brokerage and related financial accounts, Pay Pal accounts, and the like. For security reasons, this information is usually password...