Slow as much as you can but hit it!!!…rather than swerve. I am referring to objects that suddenly appear in the road ahead of a driver. This advice is often given in relation to deer darting out in front of an automobile. Generally speaking, striking a 150 pound deer will cause much less damage and result in significantly less chance of a personal injury than veering or swerving, losing control and striking an object along the side of the road or rolling the vehicle. (I am aware of one such incident where the driver managed to save the deer, but left the traveled portion of the road, struck a tree and broke her back in the subsequent collision. She was off from work for more than a year.)
Medicare Part D New Annual Election Period & Revised Model Disclosure Notices
Client Alert: As part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (i.e., Health Care Reform), the annual election period that ran from November 15 to December 31st of each year is now changed and runs from October 15 to December 7th of each year.
Continue reading Medicare Part D New Annual Election Period & Revised Model Disclosure Notices
Mortgage this!
On August 25, 2011 the Michigan Court of Appeals published a final opinion in Richard v. Schneiderman & Sherman, P.C., No. 297353. (The court had previously issued an opinion on August 11, 2011 which it later vacated on August 22, 2011.) The opinion is important because it confirms that Saurman (previously discussed on this blog) is retroactive in nature; however, it limits the application of Saurman by requiring a mortgagor to challenge the foreclosure by advertisement during the foreclosure or eviction proceedings. The court specifically points out that that if the foreclosed property has already been sold to a bona fide purchaser then Saurman does not apply.
Focus Remains on Job Creation
Just as our children return to school to acquire the skills, knowledge and experience to enter the job market, so too does Congress and state legislatures return to work to create the environment to stimulate job growth.
Choices in Collective Bargaining
On June 8, 2011 Governor Snyder signed Public Act 54 of 2011, which amends the Public Employment Relations Act (“PERA”) in four key ways.
Why Automobile Ownership is Important
Due to the hype about avoiding probate, many couples title their motor vehicles in both of their names. For convenience, some couples title their vehicles in the name of the spouse who purchased them regardless of who regularly drives them. Not paying close attention to how motor vehicles are owned can have devastating effects in Michigan.
What Steve Jobs Teaches Us About Succession Planning
It was announced this week by Apple that Steve Jobs had resigned as CEO. Mr. Jobs is the creative genius behind the technology company. The announcement seemed to catch many off guard. The media is speculating about what will happen to Apple’s stock and the company’s future. Fortunately, the company had a plan in place.
Continue reading What Steve Jobs Teaches Us About Succession Planning
Back to School – What every college student and their parents should not only know about … but have!
Many parents will soon be sending one or more of their children to college and many of those children will be living in an apartment or rental house. Among the lengthy list of things to consider when your child is moving back to college is whether your child should purchase “renters’ insurance.”
Obama and Death Taxes
President Obama spoke about the future of federal estates tax during his recent bus tour through the Midwest. A family farmer expressed her concern about the pending return of the 2001 federal estate tax exemption in 2013. If Congress and the President fail to act, the federal estate tax exemption per person will drop to $1,000,000, commencing January 1, 2013. The exemption is currently $5,000,000 per person.
Is Your College Student Protected?
While college students everywhere are getting ready to go back to school, one thing they may not be packing is a durable power of attorney. Every college student should have durable powers of attorney in place before they head off to school. In general, anyone over the age of 18 should have durable powers of attorney.