Monthly Archives: January 2014

I was recently presented with a “trust document” that I have never seen before.   My client asked me: does this document protect me from creditors and having to pay taxes?   My first thought when posed with the question was “I can’t see how”   Then, I looked at the “trust” document itself.  Continue reading “Avoid Illegal Tax shelter Scams: Corporation Sole”

I have a few business clients who are out of state corporations. They have never set foot in Grand Rapids, Michigan. However, thanks to technology so much of business can now be done virtually. There isn’t much that can’t be done with a computer, internet and phone. The same can obviously be said with yourContinue reading “Business Owners: Pitfalls of Doing Business over State Lines”

A couple of Michigan real estate law updates:   But first, a Pennsylvania proposed law would ban municipalities from penalizing tenants or their landlords when residents make legitimate 911 calls. See the ABAJournal for more details. Apparently this law is in response to a local ordinance that authorized police to force tenants out of their apartments after threeContinue reading “Real Estate Law Update: Crime Victims Could Sue Local Govt. for Evicting Them?”

I recently posted a guest blog article on Grand Rapids Area Professionals For Excellence about contract pitfalls that small business owners can run into. You can check it out by clicking here       I’d be happy to hear – have you ever found yourself signing a contract without reading it, and then laterContinue reading “Lesson for Small Business Owners: It Pays to Carefully Review Your Contracts”

I had a client talk with me about a real estate matter he had been dealing with. He entered into a purchase agreement to sell some real estate he owned. The buyer couldn’t  obtain financing within the time period spelled out in the purchase agreement, and so, my client decided not to give him anyContinue reading “Real Estate Law: What Does it Mean to Slander Someone’s Title?”

I recently found myself in an all day mediation. I was sitting in a conference room for 8 hours straight. Next to me was seated my client, across the table from me was seated my client’s brother and his lawyers.   The years of animosity between the siblings was obviously apparent to all in theContinue reading “Lessons in Estate Litigation: The Role of Mediation”