Constitutional Rights of Free Speech and Petition for Redress of Grievances

The United States and Michigan constitutions guarantee our rights to free speech and to petition the government for the redress of grievances.   During the past week, we have seen graphic and contrasting examples of these rights in action.   The federal and state constitutions protect both examples equally.   However, one would hope to hear less of the local speech and would also hope that the national example would have a positive influence upon the nature of political discourse in this country and state.

Continue reading Constitutional Rights of Free Speech and Petition for Redress of Grievances

Type of Business Entity: Corporation versus LLC

As a business and tax attorney I am frequently asked by clients whether a corporation or an LLC is a better entity for their new business. My response is that each entity has certain advantages and a review of the intended use for the new business and the goals of the owners/investors must be made before that question can be definitively answered.

Continue reading Type of Business Entity: Corporation versus LLC

Special Estate Planning Opportunity For Estate Tax Portability Election

The IRS issued a news release on February 18, 2012 announcing the Extension of Deadline for Certain Qualifying Estates to File an Estate Tax Return to Make a Portability Election Benefiting Surviving Spouses.

Continue reading Special Estate Planning Opportunity For Estate Tax Portability Election

Unclaimed Property – Is it Yours?

You might be surprised to find your name on the list of individuals and businesses with items of unclaimed property being held by the State of Michigan.  Types of property being held are varied but include things such as undeliverable refund, dividend or payroll checks, life insurance proceeds, and even forgotten bank balances.  Recently, Michigan has pushed financial institutions and other companies to turn over unclaimed property to the State.  This push has resulted in more and more people showing up on the lists of unclaimed property.  To find out if Michigan has any of your property, go to www.michigan.gov/treasury and click on Unclaimed Property.

Continue reading Unclaimed Property – Is it Yours?

Fraser Trebilcock Named The Fastest Lansing Law Firm

Fraser Trebilcock was named the fastest law firm in Lansing, Michigan by Arialink. Arialink is the largest fiber optic provider operating in Ann Arbor, Lansing and West Michigan. Fraser Trebilcock uses Arialink for its quick connections to make sure we are connected to our clients. Thanks Arialink for naming our law firm the fastest law firm in Lansing.

Medicare Part D Notice Deadline Approaching

Group health plans offering prescription drug coverage are required to disclose to all Part D-eligible individuals who are enrolled in or were seeking to enroll in the group health plan coverage whether such coverage was “actuarially equivalent,” I.e., creditable. (Coverage is creditable if its actuarial value equals or exceeds the actuarial value of standard prescription drug coverage under Part D.) This notice is required to be provided to all Part D eligible persons, including active employees, retirees, spouses, dependents and COBRA qualified beneficiaries.

Continue reading Medicare Part D Notice Deadline Approaching

Michigan’s Medicaid Estate Recovery Program

In light of Michigan’s relatively new Medicaid Estate Recovery Program, Medicaid recipients and their families should contact experienced legal counsel to help them plan ahead by implementing the tools that are currently available to avoid, or limit, Estate Recovery if possible. Further, if you are the representative or heir of a deceased Medicaid recipient and you receive a Notice of Intent to File Claim Against Estate, you should contact experienced legal counsel for assistance: before completing a Michigan Estate Recovery Questionnaire, with the timing of submission of any Application for Hardship Waiver, and with determining whether all or any portion of the state’s claim for recovery should be disallowed.

Continue reading Michigan’s Medicaid Estate Recovery Program

Deadline This Month for Calendar Year Plans to Submit Medicare Part D Notice to CMS

As you know, group health plans offering prescription drug coverage are required to disclose to all Part D-eligible individuals who are enrolled in or were seeking to enroll in the group health plan coverage whether such coverage was “actuarially equivalent,” ie, creditable.

Continue reading Deadline This Month for Calendar Year Plans to Submit Medicare Part D Notice to CMS

Kirby Albright Wins in Charlotte Airport Case

In an Eminent Domain case  initiated by the City of Charlotte  regarding a piece of land owned by William and Marilyn Crittenden, Fraser Trebilcock attorney Kirby Albright successfully represented the landowners and obtained an award of “ just compensation” that was approximately  27 times more than the offer made by the City.

Continue reading Kirby Albright Wins in Charlotte Airport Case