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.
Tenant improvements do not establish a homestead exemption in equity
January 18th, 2012
In an unpublished opinion, the Michigan Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court’s summary disposition in Rule v. US Bank, stating that a mortgagee has no duty to investigate unrecorded property interests prior to foreclosure and is allowed to…
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Categories: Real Estate Law
Pick a State: Wife denied Michigan principal residence exemption because of her husband’s exemption in Illinois
January 16th, 2012
In Levenfeld v County of Berrien, an unpublished opinion by the Michigan Court of Appeals, MCOA affirmed the Michigan Tax Tribunal’s denial to grant Levenfeld a principal residence exemption due to adherence to the language in the statute. Leve…
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Categories: Tax Law
Successor Interests: Record your Assignments
January 13th, 2012
In Kim v JP Morgan Chase Bank, the Michigan Supreme Court reversed the lower court’s decision and found a sheriff’s sale to be void for lack of record chain of title linking the mortgage interest to JP Morgan Chase. The Kims took out a lo…
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Categories: Real Estate Law
Equitable Subrogation: It’s not volunteering when you’re helping yourself
January 5th, 2012
Adam Holland, attorney at the Gallagher Law Firm, have prepared the following article relating to the recent case about equitable subrogration in Michigan. The article was published on the In December 2011, the Michigan Court of Appeals issued an opi…
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Categories: Real Estate Law
“Grow a pair” offensive, but not discriminatory
November 18th, 2011
In Macreno v. St. James Capital, an unpublished opinion, the Michigan Court of Appeals affirmed the Oakland Circuit Court decision to dismiss the plaintiff’s claims for gender discrimination and retaliation in violation of the Michigan Civil Ri…
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Categories: Uncategorized
Bankruptcy Fees to Increase Nov. 1, 2011
October 19th, 2011
On Tuesday, November 1, 2011, the costs of certain miscellaneous bankruptcy filing fees will increase. The increases were voted for on September 13, 2011 by the Judicial Conference of the United States. The changes in the fees are as follows: Filing…
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Categories: Bankruptcy
The Difference Between Vacant and Unoccupied
October 5th, 2011
In EldenBrady v. City of Albion, No. 297735, the Michigan Court of Appeals reviewed the Michigan Tax Tribunal’s decision that an abandoned school building on ten acres of residential-zoned land adjacent to a residential dwelling prevents the pa…
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Categories: Tax Law
Changes to Attorney Disciplinary Procedural Rules
September 7th, 2011
On September 1, 2011, changes to several attorney discipline procedural rules went into effect. The full text of the new changes is available here. MCR 9.103. Standards of Conduct for Attorneys. An attorney cannot charge or collect a fee for answerin…
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Categories: Law Practice Management
Considerations for Landowners in Surface Use Agreements
May 4th, 2011
Natural gas companies lease land for surface use in order to build access roads, compressor stations, water impoundments, pipeline activity, gas storage infrastructure, or other infrastructure needs on the landowner’s property. It can be tempti…
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Categories: Oil and Gas
Forbearance Agreements
December 30th, 2010
A forbearance agreement is a contract between a borrower and a lender where the lender agrees to not exercise certain rights that it has under an existing agreement in exchange for actions on the part of the borrower. An example would be a bank’…
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Categories: Business Law