Annual Gift Tax Exclusion Increases in 2018

“Gifting” is an important estate planning strategy for individuals who wish to spend down their potentially taxable estates or just want to share what they have with others. Federal gift tax is imposed on the giver of a gift (most commonly, money… Read More
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Is It Really Just a Hobby?

I have a talented client who, after retiring from a prestigious career and honing his skills as a photographer, has produced an impressive body of visual art. His collection includes images of models who pose for photographs for their professional po… Read More
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When a Jury Beats a Judge

I represent a lot of companies in disputes with customers, suppliers, and employees. Conventional wisdom says that a judge or “bench trial” is preferred for a corporate defendant rather than a trial by jury. Many contracts and employment… Read More
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The Next Generation of Unmanned Flight

More and more businesses are employing drones to undertake various jobs that were previously impossible or cost-prohibitive to do from the air. Drones are being used in the construction, engineering, agriculture, media, and environmental industries f… Read More
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Nothing Sexy About Workplace Harassment

These days, accounts of alleged sexual misconduct are prevalent in the media and are often referred to in catchy headlines as “sexual harassment.” Legally speaking, “sexual harassment” can take two forms in the workplace: Hostile work environ… Read More
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The Management Watch Word is "Transparency"

“Transparency” is trending in corporate governance circles. With internet and social media resources at the fingertips of investors, consumers and employees like never before, and increased governmental oversight in the wake of global financial c… Read More
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Reason #2 You Need an Estate Plan

You May Lose Consciousness My client came to me asking for an estate plan because her husband was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She wanted to make sure they had powers of attorney and patient advocate designations in place, anticipating Husb… Read More
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You Can Only Have One

Michigan law generally defines your principal residence as the one place you own to which, whenever you leave, you intend to return. As such, your principal residence will be deemed exempt from certain school taxes upon the filing of the requisite Pr… Read More
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Assumed Names the New-Fashioned Way

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has been hard at work updating its processes. There is more to come, but its latest announcement is that corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships can now renew assu… Read More
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European Privacy is an American Concern

Two weeks ago, I attended the annual meeting of the Michigan Bar’s Business Law Section. Section member and Dykema attorney Stephen Tupper offered an overview of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which takes effect May 28, 2018.… Read More
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