Many people use "POD" accounts (that stands for "Payable on Death," also called "TOC" or "Transfer on Death" accounts) to avoid probate upon their death. It is a simple legal devise, and completely effective. If you instruct your bank or...
The Complex World of Medicare
To many people under age 60, Medicare is a simple program: once you reach age 65, the government provides health care, using the money you have been paying in all of your working life. But as you approach Medicare age...
George S. Shea's Thoughts on the Flint Water Crisis
Dr. Mona - Hurley Medical Center, Flint Dr. Hanna-Attisha, We have read a lot about who is to blame for the crisis in Flint, but the comments by Dr. Hanna-Attisha Hurley Medical Center in Flint in Wednesday's Free Press are the...
Landlord's duties in domestic violence cases
Michigan law sets forth certain duties and obligations of landlords in the event that a tenant is the victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking. Specifically, MCL 554.601b provides that a tenant can break his or her lease if...
Small Claims Court
If you have a claim against some person or business, and the amount of your loss is less than $5,000, you might consider filing a Complaint in Small Claims Court. Every District Court has a Small Claims Division to handle...
Scam Lookout
Scam artists have been around since the days of Jacob and Esau and their tactics are continually evolving. The latest generation of scammers prey on our ignorance about what can be done once someone has access to our computer data....
Tax-Free Gains From Home Sales
One of the most significant tax advantages to owning a home comes at the back end of ownership, when you decide to sell it for a profit. A homeowner can exclude up to $250,000 of such profit from the federal...
Do You Think Your Estate Plan is Simple?
Most people think their estate is simple, and they do not need any sophisticated or complicated estate plan. Usually they say that because their current situation is very simple. But when they think about the possibilities of what might happen...
Recreational Use Immunity for Golf Injury
The purpose of recreational‑use tort immunity statutes, which are common across the country, is to encourage private and public landowners to make their property available for public recreational use. To advance this public interest, these laws usually immunize the owners...
Employees are Responsible for Beneficiary Designations
Many employees have a life insurance policy provided by their employer. Commonly, they name their spouse as beneficiary, and think nothing more about it. Everything is fine unless one of two things happen: (a) the spouse passes away before the...
