Cunningham Dalman

Local newspapers recently reported that the most frequent consumer complaints involve disputes with contractors over remodeling projects. To protect against problems when you remodel, make sure that you deal with a reputable contractor. Ask for references and contact them. Were other people satisfied with the contractor’s work? Get quotes and references from more than one

Due to a new law that took effect on December 31, 2013, it’s now possible to pass residential property to certain relatives without increasing the tax burden on them. This law essentially allows property to be kept in a family longer because the future generation will pay the same level of property tax that the

Everyone makes mistakes. Unfortunately, for certain people if the mistake resulted in a criminal conviction then the consequences can be harsh when it comes to finding employment. Indeed, many people find in their pursuit of a job their resume was tossed aside as soon as a criminal background check was run and revealed a conviction.

Recently, after a friendly game of pick-up basketball at a local gym, a friend came up to me with a serious look on his face. I thought it might have had something to do with the fact that I may have taken a shot too many during the game we had just played and lost.

There are several important decisions that need to be made when you meet with your attorney to develop an estate plan. Many of these decisions require a good amount of thought, and discussion between you and your spouse. In fact, sometimes the seriousness of these decisions prevents people from getting a plan done at all.

Did he die intestate or testate? Only a legal professional would word a question this way, but it’s an important one. If a person passes away without a will then he has died “intestate.” If a person has a will at death then he has died “testate.” If you have a will, then you picked

Some might argue that when it comes to property, “If you don’t use it, then you lose it.” That’s not true, but at the same time, you should never ignore someone who uses your property openly and without permission. Michigan courts have long held that an owner of real property may lose title to some

Estate planning for second families often gets overlooked. The irony is that these situations typically require the most planning. In Michigan, a person who passes away without an estate plan will have his or her assets distributed under Michigan’s Intestate Succession statute. This one-size-fits-all approach often misses the mark. These laws rarely take into account

Are you comfortable with how your 20 year-old child might spend an inheritance if you and your spouse unexpectedly passed away? According to an article by David Dobbs in the October 2011 issue of National Geographic (“Beautiful Brains”), the human brain is in the process of development from age 12 to 25. Because of the