Lewis and the Little Lady
By Doug Chalgian on January 23, 2022
It’s a situation many of us have seen before: one spouse (typically the wife) signs papers she doesn’t understand, putting marital property into a trust set up...
Privacy Rights Thwart Paternity Claim
By Doug Chalgian on January 22, 2022
This is a published decision about DNA and paternity. In short, when someone wants to establish their biological relationship to a dead person, the scope of individuals...
COA Contorts Itself to Hold that a Conservator and Next Friend can Coexist
By Doug Chalgian on January 18, 2022
In this recently released unpublished opinion, Spouse A is conservator over Spouse B. Niece has herself appointed next friend for Spouse B and initiates a divorce proceeding against...
“F Principle” and Other Things I Say
By Doug Chalgian on January 7, 2022
I’m lucky to be busy – so I get to tell potential clients what I really think of their cases. And what litigation is really like. Some...
2021 Ends Well for Tato the Dog
By Doug Chalgian on December 30, 2021
This post is unrelated to probate or elder law. While reading newly released cases from the Michigan Court of Appeals, I saw this case: In Re Tato. ...
Credit Union Cluster Costs Kid
By Doug Chalgian on December 29, 2021
Spouse A owns an account at credit union. On a certain date, Spouse A and Spouse B complete a form titled “application” in order to make Spouse...
“Contingent Claim” is Timely Filed
By Doug Chalgian on December 26, 2021
This newly released published opinion looks at a question about when a “claim arises” under MCL 700.3803(2)(b). Parents of a child who died at birth, acting as...
Stepchild Inheritance Blocked by EPIC in Published Opinion
By Doug Chalgian on December 18, 2021
Childless Joseph marries Sally in 1993. Sally comes into the marriage with one child, Katelyn, then aged 8. In 2005 Joseph and Sally prepare estate plans, including Joseph’s...
Moose Lodge Marriage Buries Litigants
By Doug Chalgian on November 7, 2021
In the last few weeks of Lynden’s life, he was heavily medicated and receiving hospice care. Notwithstanding, he showed up for his marriage at the Moose Lodge...
Medicaid Modifies Vehicle Exclusion
By Doug Chalgian on October 19, 2021
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has decided to update the definition of “vehicle” in the context of its long-term care Medicaid programs. As you...
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About The Author: Doug ChalgianI am an estate planning, probate litigating, elder law attorney. This is a blog for clients and professional colleagues. In it I offer my ideas about the state of the law and the practice of law. I believe we are living through a unique period during which the law (which is traditionally slow to change) and society are attempting to evolve to address the explosion of people living long lives. I find these developments fascinating and enjoy being involved in this evolution. |