Property owners and construction clients often come to us for advice after already starting a building or development project because the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has informed them that their activities have impacted a wetland. Unfortunately, it is often too late at this point to avoid serious consequences. While there are certain procedures available that…
The Dingeman & Dancer Blog consists of articles, news, and press releases written and edited by the attorneys and legal professionals at our firm, providing updates on both recent legal developments and established advice and guidance. Choose from the various topics listed in the sidebar menu to narrow in on a particular focus.
Effective on June 27, 2016, Public Act 57 of 2016 amends Michigan law to enable an individual to designate a funeral representative to handle disposition of his or her bodily remains after death and make post-death decisions regarding funeral arrangements. Under prior law, when an individual died in Michigan, decisions regarding funeral arrangements and final…
Author: George E. Powell The snow has (finally) melted. Northern Michigan residents can now dig through closets for their sandals, beach towels and swim trunks. Seasonal changes bring more than wardrobe changes, however—the warm months escort in droves of construction and land development projects. Such projects are not always as clean and tidy as they appear from…
Gov. Rick Snyder recently signed legislation that gives Michigan manufacturers a second chance to file (or re-file—if denied) their annual personal property tax (PPT) exemptions. Manufacturers now have until May 31 to file their exemptions with their local assessing office. Under the changes to Michigan’s PPT laws approved by voters in 2014, manufacturers can potentially…
This past year, Governor Snyder signed into law House Bill 4038 (“HB 4038”). The new Michigan law, which amends Section 5718 of Michigan Summary Proceedings Act, gives landlords the ability to serve eviction notices via electronic means such as email, provided that a tenant has provided prior consent and supplies the landlord with an email…
Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Labor sent to the Office of Management and Budget its final draft of proposed new regulations that govern the white collar exemptions to overtime pay. The anticipated impact these regulations will have on many employers and employees is significant. One change that will almost certainly be implemented is…
Author: Benjamin W. BryantJ.D., University of Michigan Law School On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion in Obergefell v. Hodges, holding that the Fourteenth Amendment requires a state to license a marriage between two people of the same sex and to recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex…
Author: Ashley L. Wilson Northern Michigan transforms into a frozen tundra during the winter months. While many of us would rather stay inside and hibernate when winter storms strike, most of us are forced to face the treacherous conditions. In doing so, we put ourselves at risk. The good news is, Michigan’s No-Fault Act offers protection…
Author: Daniel J. Dingeman This past year, the Michigan Supreme Court opened the door for many more Michigan homeowners to be eligible for a significant tax refund from the State of Michigan. In Gardner v. Department of Treasury, the Court reversed a lower court’s decision that the state real estate transfer tax exemption only applies…
