Effective October 1, 2016, all documents, regardless of the number of pages, will cost $30.00 to record with any Register of Deeds office in the State of Michigan.  Through September 30, 2016, the cost to record documents is $14.00 for the first page, and $3.00 for each page thereafter.  Most deeds are 2 pages or less, so the cost for …

On June 27, 2016, an amendment to Michigan’s Estates and Protected Individuals Code (“EPIC”) took effect which allows individuals to designate a funeral representative, and gives the funeral representative the power to make decisions concerning funeral arrangements and other decisions associated with that individual’s final wishes.  This amendment, if taken advantage of, can prevent disputes over a deceased person’s final …

Recent data suggests that nearly 3 out of 4 American adults use at least one form of social media.  The use of online applications for storage of documents, photos, videos and other data is on the rise.  The vast majority of Americans who have digital assets or use social media are unaware or misinformed about what happens to these digital …

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) determined that residential rental discrimination based upon a criminal conviction is illegal under the Fair Housing Act. A blanket policy of not renting to, or renewing the tenancy of, a felon is now illegal.  The Fair Housing Act does not actually contain this provision, which means it is …

In 2015, the Michigan Legislature passed a bill that requires courts to collect an electronic filing system fee in addition to the other fees authorized by law to be collected when filing documents in court.  The new fees take effect, and will begin to be collected by courts, on March 1, 2016.  Beginning March 1, 2016, the following fees will …