Firm Blog
The Gallagher Law Firm with offices in Lansing, Mt. Pleasant, Grand Rapids, and Detroit provides a variety of legal services across Michigan for corporate and individual clients. Our AV-rated, highly experienced attorneys offer responsive and efficient representation. Learn why our clients consider the Gallagher Law Firm to be a trusted, insightful and experienced partner for their legal needs.
Undoing an Automatic Dissolution: Renewal of Corporate Existence in Michigan
September 10th, 2010
The Business Corporation Act, P.A. 284 of 1972 allows a domestic corporation that was automatically dissolved to renew its corporate existence by filing the reports and paying the required fees (including late fees and penalties) for the years they w…
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Categories: Business Law
10 Tips to Avoid Foreclosure
August 24th, 2010
If you fail to make your home mortgage payments, your lender may initiate foreclosure proceedings. Foreclosure is the legal means that your lender can use to repossess your home. If your property is worth less than the total amount you owe on your mo…
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Categories: Real Estate Law
Land Contracts
August 23rd, 2010
The use of land contracts is increasing as traditional financing is not available to most purchasers based on increased lending requirements and decreased appraised values. Use of a land contract may be the only way to close a sale in this slow real…
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Categories: Real Estate Law
Reaffirmation Agreements after Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
August 18th, 2010
Filing a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy should be used as a last resort in the event an individual has no other avenue to become solvent again. Under a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, all of an individual’s debt is discharged (with some exceptions such as taxes, s…
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Categories: Bankruptcy
Introduction to MERS
August 10th, 2010
What is MERS? MERS is a name frequently heard in court in connection with mortgage issues. Much litigation revolves around mortgages and often it is unclear to litigants how MERS operates. Often the issue is whether MERS should be a party to the liti…
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Categories: Real Estate Law
New clause restrictions for insurance policies
August 5th, 2010
The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) has issued rules prohibiting three types of clauses found in insurance policies that consumers have found misleading or harmful. Consumer complaints suggested that many policyholders were being…
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Categories: Insurance
Extension of the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act (OPRA)
July 29th, 2010
Earlier this month, the Lansing City Council approved an Obsolete Property Tax Rehabilitation Tax Abatement for Michigan State University Federal Credit Union‘s (MSUFCU) planned ninth branch, located in downtown Lansing at 104 South Washington Squa…
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Categories: Tax Law
Recent lawsuits filed regarding ATM fee notices
July 15th, 2010
Plaintiffs’ attorneys in Michigan are having potential plaintiffs troll ATMs searching for an absence of required notices. Generally, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act requires posting of fee notices on both the ATM itself and on the ATM screen…
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Categories: Banking/Credit Unions
The Creditor’s Right to Foreclose a Mortgage after Bankruptcy
July 12th, 2010
Discharge of a debtor’s personal liability by way of bankruptcy does not automatically extinguish or satisfy a lien against real property. As recognized by the United State Supreme Court, ordinarily liens on real property and other secured inte…
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Categories: Real Estate Law
New Trust Account Overdraft Notice Rule (TAON) Takes Effect September 15
July 12th, 2010
Banks and credit unions should be aware that the Michigan Bar Association is implementing new rules applying to law firm trust accounts which go into effect in September 2010. Banks and credit unions that want to continue holding law firm trust accou…
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Categories: Law Practice Management