MICHIGAN PROBATE 60: The court ruled that the purported marriage between the decedent and petitioner was invalid.

The decedent, LEM, died in 2019, survived by six adult children. His daughter was appointed special personal representative of his estate and filed a petition to determine the decedent’s heirs after appellant SMM claimed to be the decedent’s surviving spouse.

Marriage License

The couple obtained a marriage license from the Wayne County Clerk’s Office, which stated that their marriage must be solemnized in the State of Michigan on or before November 25, 2016. It is undisputed that the couple did not marry by this date. Rather, on November 26, 2016, the couple participated in a wedding ceremony performed by a pastor and attended by various friends and relatives, including at least two of decedent’s children. A date-stamp on the marriage license reveals that it was filed with the Wayne County Clerk on November 28, 2016.

Expired Marriage License

The representative argued that SMM was not the decedent’s surviving spouse because their marriage license expired before the ceremony was held and so any marriage was void as a matter of law. Throughout the evidentiary hearing, conflicting evidence was presented on the parties’ intentions about getting married. The decedent told one of his sons that he and SMM intentionally waited until November 26 to have their ceremony because they knew that the marriage license would expire.

SMM admitted that she and the decedent were aware before the ceremony that the license expired before the scheduled wedding date. But she claimed that she and the decedent went to the clerk’s office to renew the license, and they were told that it was unnecessary and that the license could be approved after the ceremony. SMM testified that she and the decedent returned to the clerk’s office on the Monday after the wedding and the clerk accepted, stamped, and processed the license at that time.

The manager for Wayne County’s Vital Records Department, which oversees marriage records, confirmed that her department did not have the authority to declare a license that contained inaccurate or incomplete information as invalid. If the clerk’s office discovered that a solemnization occurred after a license expired, the office would contact the couple to tell them to purchase another license. She also confirmed that an expired license should not be accepted or should be returned to the individual who submitted it.

Probate Court

In addition, the probate court heard evidence that SMM continued to reside at the property she occupied before the wedding in Detroit. SMM also admitted that she continued to file tax returns in which she identified her status as single or head of a household.

The court ruled that the purported marriage between the decedent and SMM was invalid because the license expired before the wedding ceremony was held, and that acceptance of the completed marriage certificate by the clerk’s office did not create a valid marriage. The court also found that the parties continued to live separate lives after the ceremony and did not hold themselves out to be a married couple. Accordingly, the court determined that SMM was not the decedent’s surviving spouse or an heir to his estate.

Assistance with Probate and Estate Administration

If you have lost a loved one, the last thing you should have to deal with at this time is the confusing and often frustrating process of probate. An experienced attorney can provide guidance throughout the probate process, including the filing of petitions, notices to creditors, distribution of assets to beneficiaries and other services required throughout the probate process.

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MICHIGAN WILLS/TRUSTS 33: Trustees required to provide notice informing recipients that they may challenge the validity of a trust and the period allowed for bringing such a challenge.

The notice sent clearly advised her that if she wanted to contest the validity of the Trust in a judicial proceeding, the law required her to do so within six months from the date of the letter. Nothing in the statute requires a trustee to inform the recipients of the specific legal consequences of not acting during the time allowed.

MICHIGAN REAL ESTATE 98: Trial court granted quiet title under the doctrine of acquiescence because the fence and post had been in place for more than 15 years.

Plaintiff obtained a survey to get a permit to install a fence. Plaintiff’s survey showed that the chain link fence and post encroached on plaintiff’s recorded property line.

MICHIGAN FAMILY LAW: DHHS filed its petition in Wayne Circuit Court requesting that the trial court assume jurisdiction over the child.

At the jurisdictional trial, H admitted that she had a substance abuse addiction that somewhat affected her ability to parent her children. The trial court ordered that CKM would remain with M until the custody hearing in a few months.

MICHIGAN REAL ESTATE 97: The court imposed a constructive trust on defendant’s one-half interest in the property in favor of plaintiff.

The trial court found that plaintiff sustained her burden of establishing that a constructive trust was necessary to prevent defendant from being unjustly enriched. Accordingly, the court imposed a constructive trust on defendant’s one-half interest in the property in favor of plaintiff and ordered defendant to convey his interest in the property to plaintiff.

MICHIGAN FAMILY LAW 96: The trial court did not have the authority to modify the out-of-state support order.

The trial court held that it lacked subject-matter jurisdiction to modify the out-of-state spousal-support order. The trial court denied the plaintiff’s motion to terminate spousal support.

MICHIGAN REAL ESTATE 96: Under Michigan law, parties may acquiesce to a new property boundary line.

This case is a quiet title action, claiming adverse possession and acquiescence regarding the disputed area, a bordering strip of land between the parties’ properties.

MICHIGAN DIVORCE 78: Mother and father were both unable to adequately parent the children.

Father and mother’s relationship involved domestic violence, and they both abused substances.

MICHIGAN FAMILY LAW 95: Trial court denied the defendant’s motion and granted plaintiff $1,250 in attorney fees.

The court recognize that defendant has made great strides in her sobriety. But the Child Custody Act requires courts to focus on the best interest of the children and to provide a stable environment for children that is free of unwarranted custody changes.

MICHIGAN FAMILY LAW 94: Defendant testified that he had the ability to pay child support, but it was impossible for him to do so due to his religion.

Defendant’s testimony was that he could pay child support, but his religion precluded him from entering a civil contract with a secular court by recognizing an order from the State of Michigan directing him to pay it.

MICHIGAN PROBATE 59: The petition to admit the will was unopposed at the time of the hearing, and the court granted the petition to admit the will.

If a petition is unopposed at the time set for the hearing, the court may either grant the petition on the basis of the recitations in the petition or conduct a hearing.

MICHIGAN CONTRACTS 23: After defendant did not receive payment, it recorded a claim of lien against plaintiff’s property.

The order also required defendant to deliver the HVAC units and required plaintiff to complete its outstanding obligations under the settlement agreement.

MICHIGAN FAMILY LAW 93: Parents’ relationship had become so bitter court determined it was necessary to hold an evidentiary hearing on the issues of custody.

The trial court found that clear and convincing evidence established that a change of custody was in AH’s best interests, noting the parties were unable or unwilling to work together to reach an agreement on AH’s education and medical treatment.

MICHIGAN REAL ESTATE 95: Property owners did not place a condition upon the delivery of the deed; rather, they delivered the deed to themselves.

When the delivery of a deed is contingent upon the happening of some future event, title to the subject property will not transfer to the grantee until the event has occurred. However, in this case A and J did not place a condition upon the delivery of the deed; rather, they delivered the deed to themselves, then deposited the deed with their attorney with the instruction to record the deed only upon the happening of a future event, thereby placing a condition only upon the recording of the deed.

MICHIGAN DIVORCE 21: Plaintiff file a motion to enforcement the judgment of divorce.

The referee recommended that the trial court grant plaintiff’s request for enforcement of the judgment and require the parties to comply with its provisions and further recommended that plaintiff’s request for attorney fees be preserved and awarded should plaintiff have to return to court.

MICHIGAN PROBATE 58: Lady Bird deed did not restrict the grantor’s ability to execute another deed.

The trial court concluded that the first Lady Bird deed did not convey any interest to L until the death of both grantors, and RPC, as the conservator, did not violate any statutory duties but was entitled to execute a Lady Bird deed in fulfilling its fiduciary obligations to the protected individual, B.

MICHIGAN WILLS/TRUSTS 32: The probate court found that the Memo substantially complied with the Trust’s method for amendment.

The probate court also found that the Memo substantially complied with the Trust’s method for amendment, as required by statute, and that the Memo was not merely an attempt to distribute personal property. The probate court granted petitioner’s motion for summary disposition, confirming the validity of the Memo as a trust amendment.

MICHIGAN CRIMINAL 20: Respondent found of criminal contempt for violating the PPO.

The trial court conducted the show-cause hearing, which resulted in a finding of criminal contempt for violating the PPO. The trial court sentenced respondent to a 7- day jail term and a $100 fine but suspended the jail term absent further violations of the PPO and directed respondent to have her fingerprints taken.

MICHIGAN DIVORCE 76: Defendant had not exercised his parenting time with the children to warrant the award of any child support amount.

Plaintiff filed a motion for relief from judgment and child support. Plaintiff characterized the failed parenting-time arrangement as newly discovered evidence that negated her child support obligation.

MICHIGAN PROBATE 57: Brother granted permanent guardianship of siblings.

At a multiday hearing to address the extension of the guardianship, the eldest children, the mother’s relatives and friends, and school personnel testified regarding the mother’s care of the children, appellant’s treatment of and interaction with the children, and the eldest siblings’ role in aiding the mother to raise the children.

REAL ESTATE 94: Short-term lease violates property owners restricted covenants.

Defendant continued to advertise and lease its property for short-term rental. Because plaintiff concluded that defendant used its lot and the home thereon for business purposes, specifically as a rental property, plaintiff filed suit.

FAMILY LAW 92: Defendant objected to the referee’s recommendation on the ground that the record did not support a deviation from the MCSF.

The referee found that the support amount calculated under the MCSF would be unjust and inappropriate, and that a deviation of $750 was warranted.

FAMILY LAW 91: Referee determined that neither party had established grounds for changing custody.

The referee ultimately determined that neither party had established grounds for changing custody and that plaintiff had not established her intended move to Minnesota was in the best interests of the two youngest children.

FAMILY LAW 90: Loss of longtime pediatrician was sufficient to justify addressing legal custody.

The trial court discussed the difference between the parties’ care for WPS’s medical needs, noting plaintiff was much more involved and defendant’s refusal to provide his schedule contributed to his own frustrations regarding his lack of involvement.

FAMILY LAW 89: Motion to change the domicile of the children.

The court determined that plaintiff had established by clear and convincing evidence that the change of domicile was in the best interests of the children.

PROBATE 56: Court finds that an examination via a videoconferencing software is sufficient for clinical certificate.

Respondent argues that he was entitled to an in-person, rather than remote, personal examination.

DIVORCE 75: The trial court agreed that the long morning commute on school days satisfied the threshold burden for reconsidering custody.

The court expressed concern regarding plaintiff’s failure to appreciate how her actions left the children in a position of having to keep secrets from defendant, caused them uncertainty about their future schooling, and made them feel guilty for telling defendant the truth.

REAL ESTATE 93: Plaintiff argues whether the land contract violates Michigan’s usury act.

Plaintiff acknowledges that the land contract states on its face that the annual interest rate is 7%. But plaintiff argues that a blending approach must be undertaken to account for the surplus funds that defendant received pursuant to the Affidavit of Non-Redemption (AONR).

FAMILY LAW 88: The trial court found that the children did not have an established custodial environment with defendant because, before the separation, he did not have a large role in the children’s lives.

The trial court credited plaintiff’s testimony that, before the parties’ separation, defendant spent minimal time helping to care for the children, so its finding that the children would not have looked to defendant for guidance, discipline, the necessities of life, and parental comfort during that time was not against the great weight of the evidence.

FAMILY LAW 87: The court concluded that plaintiff’s request for 50-50 custody was more about plaintiff’s needs and wants than the children’s best interests.

By the time of the trial court’s order, custody and parenting time of the children had been governed by the interim order for nearly a year. The trial court was appropriately mindful that from the children’s perspective, any change to their established custodial environment should be minimal.

CRIMINAL 19: Traffic stop leads to vehicle search after the smell of marijuana.

The smell of burned marijuana does provide probable cause to search a defendant’s vehicle, in that the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act does not allow for the use of marijuana in a vehicle or in a place opened to the public. You don’t necessarily have to be under the influence of marijuana, but the use of marijuana suffices.

CONTRACTS 22: Trial court granted defendant summary disposition, finding the statutory limitations period had already run for plaintiff’s claims.

Plaintiff filed a three-count complaint on December 3, 2019, alleging breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and requesting foreclosure of the property. Defendant answered, pleading affirmative defenses, including that the statutes of limitations barred plaintiff’s claims. Defendant moved for summary disposition.

DIVORCE 74: Tax debt generated by the sale of business would be divided equally between the parties.

Plaintiff claims that this debt should be Defendant’s debt alone since he controlled the finances and she had little input on what happened with the money gained from the sale. The court disagrees and finds that she cannot enjoy the fruits of the marital business decisions for 17 years and then disavow herself the debt that comes from those same business decisions.

PROBATE 55: Plaintiffs argue that decedents were subject to coercion and undue influence.

When defendant petitioned to close the estates and admit the wills to probate, plaintiffs objected, arguing that decedents were subject to coercion and undue influence by defendant.

FAMILY LAW 86: Change in custody and parenting time because defendant repeatedly disobeyed court orders.

The change in custody and parenting time was primarily brought about by evidence that defendant repeatedly disobeyed court orders and parenting-time rules, prioritized his personal vendettas, and continuously made unsupported allegations that plaintiff and her family were abusive.

DIVORCE 73: Plaintiff filed a complaint for separate maintenance once husband was disabled.

The trial court agreed that third-party intervention in domestic-relations matters was only permitted in limited circumstances that did not apply to DHHS, and denied DHHS’s motion for reconsideration.

REAL ESTATE 92: Owner of more than 75 percent of the real estate in industrial park was authorized to revoke the restrictive covenants.

The revocation in this case was executed by the requisite 75% super-majority and it did not subject the property in the industrial park to additional encumbrances.

REAL ESTATE 91: The Condo Association was entitled to recover fees and costs for all aspects of the proceedings.

Regarding the award of attorney fees, Michigan follows the American Rule, which states that attorney fees are not recoverable as an element of costs or damages unless expressly allowed by statute, court rule, common-law exception, or contract.

REAL ESTATE 90: Owners demonstrated possession of disputed property because use had been more significant and continuous for a longer period.

Although the neighboring landowners testified that they also made similar recreational use of the land west of Creek, the trial court concluded that the B owners use had been more significant and continuous for a longer period.

FAMILY LAW 85: Defendant refused to co-parent with plaintiff and attempted to undermine her.

When parents are unable to cooperate and make joint decisions, a trial court may be required to grant sole custody to one parent.

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