Friday, March 15, 2024

Key Factors to Consider When Selecting a Lawyer

lawyer Ann Arbor
1. Do they offer a free consultation? Many lawyers will not charge for an initial consultation. Make an appointment to explain
your issue and see if you feel comfortable with the lawyer or lawyers you’ll be working with. A good connection is crucial for success. Ask potential lawyers questions to determine your compatibility.

2. What does the lawyer charge per hour, and how do they handle fees? How big is the firm? Will other lawyers be working on your case? What does the firms staffing situation look like? Can other employees work on your file at a discounted rate, saving you money?

3. What are your expectations? Make sure you discuss your expectations with your attorney so you can avoid any miscommunication. Ask if they have time to take on your case immediately and if they have time to devote to it. How much communication are you expecting to receive from your lawyer? Is your case civil, where frequent contact is required? Do you prefer phone calls or emails? You and your lawyer should have a mutual understanding of what communication will look like throughout your case.

4. Ask questions. Lawyers understand making this choice is significant, financially and often emotionally. They should be willing to work with you to help meet your needs and determine what actions will lead to a positive outcome.

Learn more about things you should consider when choosing a lawyer here.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!


For more information or to speak with us about your legal issue, please contact our attorneys in Ann Arbor at 734-665-4441. To learn more about Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels, P.C., or any of our attorneys, please visit learn more about us here.


Friday, March 1, 2024

What to Consider when Choosing a Lawyer

lawyer Ann Arbor

Choosing the right lawyer for your situation and needs is extremely important. You may be asking yourself, “What kinds of things should I consider?”

Whether you’re looking for help dealing with a legal issue, estate planning, going through a divorce or starting a business, here are some key factors to consider when selecting a lawyer:

1.     Location- One of the first things to consider is location. Where is the firm’s located?

2.     Do your research! Go online. Talk to your friends and neighbors and ask who they’d recommend. Most people have to interact with the law at one time or another so maybe they have a recommendation. Ask people in your area who they’ve used and liked. Look at ratings on Google. Reputation matters!

3.     Look for areas of law or specialty. Lawyers usually have a primary area of focus like estate planning, civil litigation, and domestic relations matters. Ensure you retain an attorney who understands your situation's legal process and is an expert in that particular area of law. 

4.     Short-term or Long term representation – Do you need a lawyer on retainer? Do you have a short-term lawsuit? You need to determine whether you need continuing or short-term representation. Drafting documents involves a few interactions with a lawyer, whereas a civil suit can require years of contact.

Learn more about things you should consider when choosing a lawyer here.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!


For more information or to speak with us about your legal issue, please contact our attorneys in Ann Arbor at 734-665-4441. To learn more about Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels, P.C., or any of our attorneys, please visit learn more about us here.


Thursday, February 15, 2024

What is a Friend of the Court?


divorce Ann Arbor

Most cases involving minor children are referred to Friend of the Court, an agency which assists the court by consulting and enforcing cases involving custody, parenting time, and (spousal and child) support disputes. The Friend of the Court will assist the parties in coming to a mutual agreement that’s beneficial to both, with a focus on the best interests of the minor children.  Friend of the Court offers many services, including mediation, support enforcement, assistance with review hearings, show cause hearings and more. If both parties agree, they can “opt out” of Friend of the Court services, which means that they won’t be able to utilize the services or enforcement powers the Friend of the Court offers. 

Child support is then determined by the custody determination as well as each party’s financial status and ability to provide for the minor child(ren). 

Learn more about getting a divorce in Michigan with children here.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

 

If you would like to learn more about divorce in Ann Arborcontact us today! Divorce attorneys at Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels, P.C., can help assist you with your case and everything in between. 

Our attorneys know how to get results for our clients and they’re dedicated to getting a satisfactory outcome. Contact our attorney for divorce in Ann Arbor today at (734) 665-4441 for a no obligation consultation.

Thursday, February 1, 2024

What You Need to Know About Divorces with Minor Children in Michigan

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Unlike a divorce without minor children, when minor children are involved there’s a minimum waiting period of 6 months before the Court will grant a divorce. During the divorce process, you’ll settle issues regarding spousal support, property division, and division of marital debt, as well as custody issues and child support regarding the minor child(ren).  There are two types of custody: physical and legal.  Physical custody determines who the children reside with, while legal custody grants the rights to make important decisions regarding the child(ren), including medical, educational and religious decisions.  Both custody matters can be granted to one parent (sole custody) or shared between both parents (joint custody).  

Learn more about getting a divorce in Michigan with children here.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

 

If you would like to learn more about divorce in Ann Arborcontact us today! Divorce attorneys at Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels, P.C., can help assist you with your case and everything in between. 

Our attorneys know how to get results for our clients and they’re dedicated to getting a satisfactory outcome. Contact our attorney for divorce in Ann Arbor today at (734) 665-4441 for a no obligation consultation.

Monday, January 15, 2024

Common Scenarios for Transferring Vehicle Ownership for Descendents

estate planning attorney Ann Arbor
 Here are common scenarios for transferring vehicles in the State of Michigan: 

  • Joint title. If a person shares the title with the deceased and the title reads says that the full rights of the vehicle go to the survivor, then the process is relatively simple. The vehicle transfers to the other person on the title. In this situation, the person only needs to present the title and a copy of the death certificate. This applies even if the estate of the deceased is in probate.
  • Transfer on Death. As part of your estate planning, your attorney can create a “Transfer on Death” or “TOD”.  This is a document that you sign transferring the vehicle to another individual under MCL 700.6101 upon your death.  This can be taken to the Secretary of State to complete the transfer.  

Learn more about the transfer of vehicle ownership after someone passes here.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

 

If you would like to learn more about estate planning in Ann Arbor, contact us today! Estate planning attorneys at Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels, P.C., can help assist you with your case and everything in between. 

 

Monday, January 1, 2024

Transfer of Vehicle Ownership for Descendent in Michigan

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The death of a spouse, parent, or friend invokes the depository provisions in one’s estate planning documents.  While the process to transfer tangible personal items can be simple, transferring an asset with a title can be more complex.  

Here are common scenarios for transferring vehicles in the State of Michigan: 

  • Spouse. If the deceased is survived by a spouse, the spouse is the next of kin who will receive the vehicle. First, the spouse must complete a form to transfer the vehicle. This form also applies if the vehicle will be transferred to another immediate family member. After the transfer, the license plate may remain on the vehicle.  There’s no transfer tax between spouses. 
  • Siblings. If the deceased has no surviving spouse, surviving brothers and sisters are the next closest kin in line to receive the vehicle. All siblings share equal inheritance of the vehicle. Siblings who don’t want the vehicle may complete a certification statement saying so. The next-of-kin has the option of adding a co-owner when the vehicle is titled. But if that co-owner is not an immediate family member or isn’t the spouse of the family member who is inheriting the vehicle, that co-owner must pay use tax.
  • Probate. If the deceased had a will, the deceased personal representative appointed by the probate court assigns the title of the deceased’s vehicle to a spouse or family member. That person must then present the title and a copy of the personal representative’s “Letter of Authority” to a branch office of the Secretary of State, where the vehicle may then by titled in his or her name. The license plate is inherited by the spouse or family member and may remain on the vehicle.

Learn more about the transfer of vehicle ownership after someone passes here.

Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!

 

If you would like to learn more about estate planning in Ann Arborcontact us today! Estate planning attorneys at Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels, P.C., can help assist you with your case and everything in between. 

Friday, December 15, 2023

Chain of Title; Divestment of Interest

Bankruptcy Attorney Ann Arbor

Under the Michigan Marketable Record Title Act, to possess a marketable record title to an interest in land, a person must have held an unbroken chain of title of record for 20 years for mineral interests and 40 years for other interests. The marketable record title is subject only to claims to that interest and defects of title that are not extinguished or barred by application of the Act, as well as any interests and defects in records forming the chain of record title that are recorded during the 20-year period for mineral interests or the 40-year period for other interests. Unbroken chain of title exists if either:

-       A conveyance or other title transaction not less than 20 years in the past for mineral interests and 40 years for other interests, that purports to create the interest in that person, with nothing appearing of record purporting to divest that person of that interest.

-       A conveyance or other title transaction within the past 20 years for mineral interests and 40 years for other interests, that purports to create the interest in some other person and other conveyances of title transactions of record by which the purported interest has become vested in the person considered to have an unbroken chain of title, with nothing appearing of record purporting to divest the person of the interest. 

 

Learn more about the Michigan Marketable Record Title Act here.


Get Started Today: Schedule Your Consultation!


If you would like to learn more about the Michigan Marketable Record Title Actcontact a bankruptcy attorney in Ann Arbor today! Our bankruptcy attorney at Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels, P.C., can help assist you with your case and everything in between.