Accordingly to a recent article from Merrill Lynch, many people still believe that a trust is only for the very wealthy. On the contrary, a trust allows someone of even modest means to ensure that his money is distributed as he wishes after his death. Merrill Lynch points out the three benefits of a trust: […]
Michigan is providing free legal help to people age 55 and older who have experienced, or are at risk of, abuse, neglect or exploitation. These free legal services are available regardless of income, languages spoken or immigration status (with or without documentation). The Elder Justice Initiative helps clients get protective orders, recover funds and property taken […]
Methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth, was initially produced by gangs on the West Coast. But since that time, meth production has moved to small, residential home labs, especially in rural areas. Meth residue poses significant health risks for the buyers of those homes, especially for the younger members of the family, but there is no […]
In a recent newsletter, Relevar Home Care reported on the often-fatal combination of a dementia patient and access to firearms, and they offered some safety suggestions. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 45% of people aged 65 and older have guns in their household. Another 12% reside in the home of a gun owner. […]
If your home is owned by your Trust, or if you are the Trustee or Personal Representative for someone who owned a home, you need to make absolutely certain that your homeowner's insurance knows that! Earlier this year, the Michigan Court of Appeals was faced with a case where a homeowner transferred his house to […]
Recently, I was given an opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. for the week of October 8th. When I checked the schedule I was thrilled to learn that the United States Supreme Court WOULD be hearing oral arguments while I was there. I had last visited the Supreme Court in 1983, when I was a college […]
Rodney Dangerfield once joked that “my wife and I sleep in separate rooms, have dinner apart, and take separate vacations - we're doing everything we can to keep our marriage together!” But what if your wife didn't live with you and still wanted to inherit your property after your death? The Michigan Supreme Court recently […]
The Michigan Court of Appeals was recently asked to decide if a completely electronic "will" was valid. The ruling was that it is. Duane Horton was only 21 when he committed suicide. Before his death, he left an undated, handwritten entry in his journal. The journal entry said that his "final note" was on his phone, […]
If you’ve had a family member die recently, you may have been surprised by how quickly you started receiving phone calls from bill collectors. According to a recent New York Times story, some debt collectors are specially trained in all five stages of grief and are paid a commission to collect debts from grieving family […]
