» LeClair L. Flaherty - Attorney

Michigan is newly positioned to become a major player in the asset protection arena. With the adoption of the Qualified Dispositions in Trusts Act (the “Act”) last month, Michigan joined 16 other states that permit the creation of domestic asset… Read More

A generation ago, planning for the retention and management of the family cottage (or cabin or camp) through multiple generations took the form of a trust that would continue to own the property and that laid out rules for its ongoing use and mainten… Read More

Effective June 27, 2016, individuals in Michigan may designate “funeral representatives” to make funeral, burial, and related decisions for them after death, or to carry out decisions made by them prior to death. This is welcome news for those wh… Read More

Michigan law generally allows a homeowner to claim an exemption from property taxes levied for local school operating expenses. The exemption applies only to a homeowner’s principal residence and is claimed through the filing of an affidavit with t… Read More

The IRS doesn’t like it when debts are cancelled. When a lender forgives a loan, the tax code generally treats the amount of cancelled debt as income to the borrower, who then pays income tax on that amount. Fortunately, there are some exceptions t… Read More

Telephone scammers have gotten pretty sophisticated. Tim and I got a phone message the other day from an individual who claimed to be from the IRS. He sounded professional and left his title and surname, IRS badge number and a message laced with just… Read More

Extraordinary generosity and compassion have been enduring hallmarks of American culture for many generations, but the spirit of American benevolence particularly shines at this time of year. Perhaps it’s the good will that accompanies the holiday… Read More

The first day of school always results in a large stack of forms sitting on my desk at home, waiting to be completed and returned. Sifting through this year’s stack, I found a request for updated immunization records for my 7th and 9th graders, pur… Read More