The most significant amendments to the Michigan No-Fault law take effect on July 1, 2020. For the past year, the headlines have been filled with news about changes to the Michigan auto insurance law. There has been repeated mention of the expense of automobile insurance and the need for reform. What do the changes mean for you, your family or your business? We may not give it much thought, but […]

One of the most common requests from clients to probate practitioners is when an individual, upon their passing, wishes to transfer ownership in real property outside of probate proceedings while preserving present control and use of the land.  The utilization of certain deeds as an estate-planning tool to accomplish that goal – affectionately known as “Lady Bird” deeds – is available only in a few states, including Michigan.  This type […]

Jim Acho, a partner in our Livonia office is a sought-after interview subject on sports law topics. As a practitioner of sports law at CMDA and professor of sports law at Madonna University, Jim routinely speaks on radio shows and to newspapers on topics relating to the health and welfare of retired NFL and MLB players. As such, he has been interviewed by the New York Times several times. Most […]

Joel Ashton, a partner in our Livonia office, was a featured speaker at the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors’ (NAIFA) Auto No-Fault Reform Conference that was held by Zoom due to the Stay at Home and Work Remotely Executive Orders.  His presentation focused on an update to the amendments to the Michigan No-Fault Act. The next phase of the Michigan No-Fault amendments take effect for policies issued or […]

In these uncertain times, we would like to bring you a little diversion, entertainment, and fun to help alleviate stress. The elder law attorneys at CMDA just received a shipment of puzzle booklets and would like to send one your way. We hope working on a Sudoku, word search, or crossword puzzle can help ease your mind, if only for a few minutes each day. To receive a complementary puzzle […]

Estate planning documents (wills, trusts, powers of attorney, etc.) are essential in a crisis.  In the present pandemic, our families, friends and customers are dealing with frustrating isolation, sudden debilitating illness, and untimely death.  Each situation presents unique challenges that is best resolved with a specially designed legal document.  Attorney Norman (Gene) Richards has compiled a Coping in Crisis: Estate Planning Challenges and Solutions chart that lists some challenges and […]

The stimulus bill signed into law by the President recently has set aside substantial funds to aid small businesses under a new loan program that is now in effect. If small businesses maintain payroll during this economic crisis, all or part of the money borrowed through the newly created Paycheck Protection Program can be forgiven. The goal is to help small business owners and their employees ride out this economic […]

In the case of Highfield Beach at Lake Michigan v. Sanderson, the Michigan Court of Appeals recently ruled on the issue of enforceability of a condominium Bylaw which affected short-term rentals of units. The ruling effectively negated the plan of a new unit owner to use his condominium for rental to vacationers. As a result, the Association was successful in its efforts to limit the types of rentals allowed, similar […]

Vexatious litigants bother, embarrass and/or cause legal expenses to the defendant and can be a costly problem in today’s legal system. Vexatious litigation is becoming more common in the realm of community associations and quite often these litigants represent themselves when they file lawsuits against their own association or contest decisions made by the Board of Directors. The result is that sometimes frivolous and expensive litigation occurs that must then […]

Jim Acho, a partner in our Livonia office, was recently interviewed by Harvard Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law. Jim discusses his career in the industry, the NFL Players’ Association, and the future of collective bargaining and concussion lawsuits in the NFL. Jim Acho Interview: Harvard Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law