Michigan homeowners can claim an exemption on the property taxes levied against their primary residence. The size of the exemption is not insignificant. If the “taxable value” on your notice of assessment is $150,000, for example, the “principa…
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When President Biden made a surprise visit to Ukraine in February, Wall Street Journal reporter Sabrina Siddiqui drew one of two coveted spots for journalists to accompany the president on the trip. As she explained in her March 8, 2023, WSJ article,…
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A major part of buying a business with value tied to its intellectual property portfolio is due diligence on how it owns and protects its intellectual property. Companies with brand recognition or products that rely on trademarks and patents will nee…
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Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code provides a valuable tax deferral mechanism for real estate investors. The provision, commonly referred to as a “like-kind exchange,” allows for the exchange of one investment property for another…
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On March 16, 2023, Governor Whitmer signed legislation amending the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act of 1976 (“ELCRA”) to extend protection based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. The amended legislation makes it illegal to di…
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In the early 1900s, the Supreme Court recognized the copyrightable nature of the encoded sequence of instructions used by player pianos, called “piano rolls.” That idea of copyrighting encoded instructions ultimately led to the rationale for copy…
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I heard yesterday from a client who discovered that uncashed checks made payable to her deceased father were turned over to the state of Michigan as having been abandoned. In order to claim the funds, she must reopen dad’s probate estate and get ne…
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Years ago, when both state and federal law outlawed the use or possession of marijuana, most employers maintained a zero tolerance policy for employees testing positive for drugs or alcohol. As states like Michigan began to legalize marijuana … fir…
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Once your corporation or limited liability company is formed, its legal status must be maintained by keeping it in good standing. This requires filing annual reports with the state of its formation and any other state where the company is authorized…
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Many commercial leases contain a provision either permitting or prohibiting the parties from recording a Memorandum of Lease. Although a Memorandum of Lease is not the most complex aspect of any lease, it may provide crucial protection to certain ren…
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