Maximizing Your Federal G…

Maximizing Your Federal Gift Tax Exemption

Although we don’t prepare income tax returns in our office, I am frequently asked about the tax consequences of various types of gifts. The general rule is that all gifts are taxable unless they fit into an exception. Fortunately, the exceptions ar… Read More
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Analysis of State Tax Increase Proposal

Our friends at the Livonia Chamber of Commerce have compiled a brief overview of the competing arguments for and against the proposed statewide sales tax increase to help fund road repairs in Michigan. They’ve tried hard to state the case as object… Read More
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Do It For Your Kids

Do It For Your Kids

We understand that preparing an estate plan is not always the most urgent priority for young families. Buying your first home, sleepless nights with a newborn, coordinating everyone’s packed schedules while trying to maintain your family’s sanity… Read More
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Your Company’s Employee…

Your Company’s Employee Handbook: An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

Our corporate clients frequently cite the complexity of the legal and regulatory landscape as one of the biggest challenges they face. While compliance efforts may often seem daunting, implementing an employee handbook is one of the most fundamental… Read More
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Google, Yahoo, and Bing, PLC

The Internet is an amazing tool. It is literally a world of information at your fingertips. And when it comes to legal documents, there are thousands upon thousands of them available online, addressing every possible issue you can imagine. No one kno… Read More
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Employee Theft Can Happen…

Employee Theft Can Happen to You

Unfortunately, employee theft (asset misappropriation, corruption and financial statement fraud) is all too common and can hit small businesses hard. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) estimates that organizations worldwide lose five… Read More
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Michigan’s Private Empl…

Michigan’s Private Employer’s Veterans’ Preference Policy Act

While discrimination in employment decisions is prohibited under a myriad of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations, beginning January 14, 2015, the Private Employer’s Veterans’ Preference Policy Act (the “Act”) allows private employe… Read More
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Keeping Your Living Trust…

Keeping Your Living Trust Private

In an age when we seem to have less and less privacy, most of us are reluctant to needlessly surrender what privacy we do have. I was reminded of that a few days ago when a long-time client, who was selling a home titled in his living trust, called t… Read More
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Stiff Penalties for Pirat…

Stiff Penalties for Pirated Software

Last week, I met with a longtime client to discuss a pending business transaction. The client owns and operates several manufacturing companies. During our meeting, he mentioned in passing that he was dealing with a demand from a large technology pro… Read More
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What’s Your Company’s…

What’s Your Company’s Policy on Pot?

How does the Michigan medical marijuana statute impact an employer’s right to enforce its substance abuse policy, including drug testing requirements, and an employee’s right to reasonable accommodations under the ADA? The Michigan Medical Marihu… Read More
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