With the fear of Global Warming constantly looming over our heads, many people across the nation are making conscious efforts to save the environment one carbon footprint at a time. For mining companies though, their efforts may have to be significantly more substantial if they want to negate their Big Foot sized imprint on the environment.
The outlook for the housing market in 2013
Whether you're buying or selling your home in Michigan, the recent news about real estate prices may be good or bad news to your ears. According to recent numbers, home prices seem to finally be on the rise, leading some to say that first-time home buyers may want to change their New Year's resolution to buying a new home.
Congress debating relief from estate taxes
An estate plan generally uses a variety of legal instruments, including wills and trusts, to distribute assets after a person dies. The pending estate tax code changes on these assets can have a profound effect on estate planning strategies for many Michigan families if Congress chooses to let them expire.
Marijuana laws and the landlord
Marijuana laws have been getting a great deal of attention in the news in recent months, and supporters of the movement recently won a number of landmark victories on Election Day. Medical marijuana poses certain risks for landlords, however; legal complications that could leave building owners open to lengthy landlord-tenant disagreements or even federal prosecution.
Auto-industry woes and its impact on Michigan vacation homes
During the recession, real estate agents around Lake Huron's southern shore saw massive changes to the real estate market, and not just in terms of foreclosed homes. As the automotive industry scaled back, so too did blue-collar families who had owned vacation homes along the shores of Lake Huron in Michigan. Families no longer able to afford two homes were forced to sell their summer homes for a more fiscally responsible future, a true reflection of the changing economy.
Without proper planning, taxes can eat away at inherited IRAs
Many Michigan residents may have an IRA that they wish to leave to their spouse or a child once they pass on. However, without proper planning, much of this inheritance could be lost to taxes. Anyone with an IRA who is in the process of estate planning should understand how tax laws will affect their heirs. Doing so may allow the inheritance to have a more positive effect on a loved one's life.
Storms and their impact on your real estate property - part II
Everyone in Michigan is familiar with the saying "if a tree falls in the middle of the woods, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?" But in cases of storm damage, a new saying has people asking a similar question: if my tree falls on my neighbor's property, and I didn't do it, who pays for the damages?
Storms and their impact on your real estate property - part I
With the winter season fast approaching, we want to make sure that readers of our blog have all the necessary facts when it comes to how storms can affect your real estate property. Whether it be a commercial property or a private residence there are a few things that property owners need to be aware of when it comes to not only reporting damage, but how that damage can affect the people living inside the residence. In this blog post, we will be focusing on what can happen to lease agreements when a property becomes damaged from a storm.
Judge upholds the will of Sherman Hemsley
When the death of a loved one occurs and there are no clear instructions left for estate administration or burial, loved ones can be left unsure of what the deceased's wishes were. Sometimes, even when a will is in place before the death, the family of the deceased can contest it. This can leave the estate in legal limbo while a judge decides the case. Estate administration can be quite tricky under certain circumstances.
Following the code: what this means when building your dream home
When it comes to building your dream home, the sky's the limit and to you, anything goes. But what many people in Michigan don't realize is that there are certain building codes that must be adhered to in the process.
Victims of mortgage fraud receive settlement checks
During the housing slump, many homeowners across the United States, including people here in Michigan, found themselves struggling to pay their mortgages in a desperate attempt to save their homes.
Judge tosses case against singer's parents, conservators
While families sometimes have to turn to a conservatorship in situations where a family member might be incapable of making decisions in their own best interests, these probate litigation issues can become more complicated in matters relating to a person with high level of fame - and assets.
Seventeen year old land dispute takes center stage in political race
If there is one thing that the people of Michigan are sick of right now it's the recent flood of political ads that seem to have taken over the airwaves. Over the past few decades the once "vote for me, I'm the right choice" ads have given way to smear campaigns that seem to be more concerned with slinging mud rather than focusing on making change happen.
