Legal Reference Blog by Renee C. Walsh, Esq.

24. April 2008: Michigan Title Company Forces Married Persons to Take Title in Spouse's Name

Question:

Can a married women in Michigan own property solely in her name?

My daughter is in the process of buying a home in Michigan. The mortgage will be in her name only. The Michigan title company closing the transaction is directing her that if a person is married and buying property in Michigan they must take title “by the entireties.” The husband that is not employed, has not worked for a year, and has a poor credit history and has nothing to do with the mortgage MUST have his name on the title. ...More

26. March 2008: "Payment in Full"

The phrase, "payment in full", is most commonly thought of in respect of seeing this clause in the memo section of a check. What does it mean and what is its legal effect? ...More

25. March 2008: Order for Grandparenting Time

Michigan Compiled Law 722.27b Order for grandparenting time; circumstances; acknowledgment of parentage; commencement of action; procedures; affidavit; notice; opposing affidavit; hearing; basis for entry of order; condition; record; court mediation; frequency of filing complaint or motion seeking order; attorney fees; order prohibiting change of domicile of grandchild; effect of entry of order; modifying or terminating order.

Sec. 7b. ...More

25. March 2008: Powers of Court in Child Custody Disputes

Michigan Compiled Law 722.27 Child custody disputes; powers of court; support order; enforcement of judgment or order.

Sec. 7. ...More

25. March 2008: Parenting Time Defined

Michigan Compiled Law 722.27a Parenting time.

Sec. 7a. ...More

25. March 2008: Joint Custody Defined

Michigan Compiled Law 722.26a Joint custody.

Sec. 6a. ...More

25. March 2008: Best Interests of Child Defined

Michigan Compiled Law 722.23 “Best interests of the child” defined.

Sec. 3.

As used in this act, “best interests of the child” means ...More

24. March 2008: Action to Quiet Title

Question:

I bought 60 acres of commercial property ten years ago for $30,000.00. I did not file the deed with the Register of Deeds. The former owner again sold the property to his heirs for $50.00 last year and they recorded their deed. If they would have gone out and looked at the property, they would have seen that it was owned by someone else. Who should prevail in this situation? ...More

20. March 2008: 1972 Will Leaves Out Children and Gives All to Ex-Wife's Mother

Question:

My father passed away recently. His will was from 1972. It leaves out four children from a previous marriage. It also leaves everything to his mother-in-law at the time, however, he divorced the woman to whom he was married at the time of the execution of the will. My sister and I were born after the will was made. What happens in this scenario? ...More

18. March 2008: Kudos!

"Dear Renee,

Spectacular! Incredibly thoughtful and scholarly review of this unfortunate circumstance. You have given me strength to fight this landlord not just on behalf of my deceased mother but for all the other elderly tenants in this apartment (and there are quite a few of them) who were cajoled into signing this addendum.

Regards and thank you for your response,

J. S., Ph.D.
Professor of Neurosciences
Case Western Reserve University"