What Are Dower Rights? Dating back centuries, dower rights existed to give women (who couldn’t own property when the rights were first employed) the right to one-third of their deceased husband’s real estate. The original intent behind dower rights was to ensure married women had the means to support themselves and any children after the…
Michigan has just taken a big step toward modernizing its trust laws. With the recent passage of the Qualified Dispositions in Trusts Act, Michigan is now one of a small group of states that allows individuals to create what is known as a “domestic asset protection trust” (DAPT), which is a flexible tool for transferring and…
Effective January 1, 2017, the Michigan minimum wage increased from $8.50 to $8.90 per hour. This change is the third of four scheduled increases that are part of the 2014 legislation to raise the state’s wage floor for most adults working in hourly positions (excluding tipped positions) in places with two or more employees age…
Author: George E. Powell Election season is upon us, and consequently, the heavily debated Proposal 3 will finally be up for vote. Unless you have missed the litany of yard-signage and continuous local media coverage, you would surely know that there is a contentious battle being waged over an amendment to Traverse City’s Charter. The amendment…
Buyers and sellers of real estate have the option of using a unique financing mechanism that can, in certain situations, provide a superior means of structuring a property sale. This mechanism, known as a land contract, is a popular form of seller financing used in real estate transactions (often residential) that serves an alternative to…
Dingeman & Dancer, PLC has received a Tier 1 ranking from Best Lawyers®, the recognized guide to legal excellence in the United States for more than 32 years. The ranking is achieved by feedback from clients and peers as well as information obtained from the firm. Best Lawyers, in partnership with U.S. News & World…
Many people have or will lend money to other people in their lifetimes. Parents and grandparents frequently make loans to family members to enable them to buy a home, start a business, or enjoy some of the comforts of life. Sometimes friends lend money to friends. There are many contexts in which one person loans…
Continuing the upward trend, charitable giving in the United States increased to $373.25 billion in 2015 (2.1% of GDP). Over the past two years alone, total giving to charitable organizations has increased over 10%. This increase and the overall size of charitable contributions is a testament to the integral role charities play in our society, a role which…
Author: Benjamin W. Bryant J.D., University of Michigan Law School What are two things that most retirement-aged individuals value? Charitable donations and tax breaks! Well, maybe not everyone shares the same enthusiasm for philanthropy and avoidance of the Internal Revenue Code, but for those of you who are interested in these exciting topics, it’s time…
Author: Ashley Wilson Summer is the time of year that most of us Michiganders eagerly anticipate. As the snow begins to melt and the temperatures begin to rise, we all worry less about winter road conditions and start to drive a little faster. Although warmer weather eliminates the dangers that snow and ice present, it also…