The pristine landscapes of Traverse City and Northern Michigan are among the state’s most treasured resources. The region’s natural beauty, from its crystal-clear lakes to lush forests, not only supports a diverse ecosystem but also contributes to the area’s appeal as a top destination for residents and tourists alike. Preserving this beauty requires a collective…
Category: Property Law
The Dingeman & Dancer Blog consists of articles, news, and press releases written and edited by the attorneys and legal professionals at our firm, providing updates on both recent legal developments and established advice and guidance. Choose from the various topics listed in the sidebar menu to narrow in on a particular focus.
Northern Michigan, with its breathtaking landscapes and the bustling community of Traverse City, presents unique opportunities and challenges for property owners. Understanding the intricacies of land use laws in this region is essential for those looking to maximize their property’s potential, be it through residential development, launching a commercial venture, or dedicating land to conservation…
Whether you’re planning to build or purchase a home or commercial property, or just want to use your property differently than you have in the past, zoning should be considered as early in the process as possible. Zoning ordinances change frequently, so it is important to make sure you’re up to date with the most…
In Rentschler v Township of Melrose, No. 33633, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled in favor of a homeowner who claimed he was entitled to a homestead exemption on property that he rented for more than 14 days in a year. Michigan’s Principal Residence Exemption (PRE), also referred to as the “homestead” exemption, exempts a principal…
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…
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…
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…
We often get questions from clients who either want to cut down trees that are on the border of their property line with their neighbor or who at least want to remove several branches that are encroaching on their property from a tree on their neighbor’s property. So, you might ask, what’s the answer? This…
Author: Daniel J. Dingeman The ability to remove trees in connection with land development is limited by various types of woodlands regulation. In the development context, this regulation focuses on not only on the restrictions on tree removal, but also on controlling soil erosion and sedimentation. The latter focus, which will not be discussed in any…
Author: George E. Powell The snow has (finally) melted. Northern Michigan residents can now dig through closets for their sandals, beach towels and swim trunks. Seasonal changes bring more than wardrobe changes, however—the warm months escort in droves of construction and land development projects. Such projects are not always as clean and tidy as they appear from…