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.

Oppression of LLC Member

What rights does a limited liability company member have if they are being treated unfairly by the other members of the company? The answer to this frequent problem is found in Michigan statute and case law. The statute MCL 450.4515 provides: A membe… Read More
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Categories: Business Law

Estate Tax

The Estate Tax is a tax on your right to transfer property at your death. It consists of an accounting of everything you own or have certain interests in at the date of death. The fair market value of these items is used, not necessarily what you pai… Read More
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Categories: Tax Law

Independent Contractors or Employees

The IRS requires business owners to correctly determine whether individuals providing services are employees or independent contractors. If your business has employees it must withhold income taxes, withhold and pay Social Security and Medicare taxes… Read More
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Categories: Employment Law

Pet Trusts

A trust for the care of a designated domestic or pet animal is valid in Michigan. The trust terminates when no living animal is covered by the trust. The trust will be liberally construed by the probate court to carry out the general intent of the tr… Read More
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Categories: Estate Planning

Dissolution of a Corporation - Distributions to Shareholders

One of our customers that owes us money sent me a notice that they are dissolving. Can the shareholders of the dissolving corporation take the assets of the corporation without paying us? A dissolving corporation is required to make adequate provisio… Read More
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Categories: Business Law

Termination of Oil or Gas Interests in Land/Dormant Minerals Act

(1) Any interest in oil or gas in any land owned by any person other than the owner of the surface, which has not been sold, leased, mortgaged, or transferred by instrument recorded in the register of deeds office for the county where that interest i… Read More
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Categories: Real Estate Law

Covenant-Not-to-Compete or Non-Compete Agreement

A Covenant-Not-to-Compete or non-compete agreement is enforceable if it protects the employer’s reasonable competitive business interests and it is reasonable in duration, geographical scope, and line of business. A non-compete agreement protec… Read More
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Categories: Business Law

Common Forms of Ownership of Real Estate

There are three common forms of ownership of real estate by more than one person – tenants in common, joint tenants with full rights of survivorship and tenancy by the entireties. There are some other less common forms also. The type of ownership i… Read More
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Categories: Real Estate Law

Joint ownership of motor vehicles - Don't!

The owner of a car (or other motor vehicle) is liable for any injuries caused by the negligent operation of that car by anyone driving the vehicle with the owner’s consent or knowledge. Consent is presumed if a car is being driven by an immediate f… Read More
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Categories: Insurance

Partition

My sister and I own a house in Mt Pleasant, as tenant in common, and we have a disagreement over who should pay the real estate taxes and expenses. Can I force my sister to join me in selling the house? The remedy required is a law suit for partition… Read More
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Categories: Real Estate Law