Bruce Rice a graduate of Wayne State University Law School practices Family Law, Estate Planning and Probate Litigation and Administration. View Profile
So it appears that someone is misusing the powers granted to them under a Power of Attorney. What do you do next? A Power of attorney is written authorization which gives one person the legal authority to act for another person. Typically, the authority to…
What exactly is a Power of Attorney? Well in its basic form, this document enables someone to delegate important decisions regarding financial affairs and medical decisions depending on the type. In Michigan, these documents become effective as soon as they are executed and the designee accepts…
A common misconception is that the federal gift tax applies to the giver of a gift, not the recipient, for amounts above a specified level. But luckily, most gifts are sheltered from gift tax by the annual gift tax exclusion and the lifetime gift tax…
There are many instances where people are taken aback by their loved one’s last wishes. Reviewing a loved one’s will can sometimes be shocking and upsetting. Many times children are left out, or items are devised to others. The terms of the will may seem…
Here in Michigan, when a nonresident of the state dies and leaves behind assets which are in the state, the courts may designate a personal representative specifically nominated under the decedent’s Will. They may also designate another person if they deem someone else to be…
Will your debt die with you? The short answer is probably not. In Michigan your estate is still required to pay your financial debts in most circumstances. This is true whether or not you have a Will. The primary benefit of having a Will…
One of the most common misconceptions in probate is that when you die, your debt to Uncle Sam dies with you. Not only is this not the case, but Uncle Sam is one of the strongest debt collectors out there. They have the power to…
So you are dealing with the death of a family member and you begin a search through their effects for a Last Will and Testament. You know they have one and vaguely remember them mentioning where they put it. But that conversation was several years ago and…
Obtaining Guardianship for a Minor Child. Many times the lines are blurred between the rights of parents and the rights associated with a guardian. While a minor’s parents remain responsible for exercising their legal rights, there are time in which a court will allow for…
Michigan Dower rights have been a part of Michigan law for over 170 years. Until very recently, Michigan had been the only state in the country that continued to recognize dower rights of a wife. However, this all changed on January 6, 2017 when Governor…
