Blog

• Employers: Navigate the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

  March 24, 2020

  Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the “Act”) to help employers and workers to address the challenges of the COVID-19 Outbreak. Because circumstances have changed so quickly with the introduction of government-ordered shelter-in-place directives to workers and employers, it is not clear how well all of its parts function together.  We will focus […]

• Understanding Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order for Michigan

  March 23, 2020

  Today, Governor Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-21, which takes effect tomorrow, March 24, 2020, at 12:01 a.m. The Executive Order, which is to be “construed broadly to prohibit in-person work that is not necessary to sustain or protect life,” mandates the following: All businesses must suspend operations if they require workers to leave their homes […]

• Administering a Special Needs Trust

  March 22, 2020

  When a special needs trust is needed, careful consideration should be given so beneficiaries who also are receiving government benefits are not impacted by an inheritance. A special needs trust provides for the beneficiary’s discretionary needs in a manner that is intended to avoid disqualification from government benefit programs.  So, properly administering a special needs […]

• Cross Named as Estate Planning Practice Group Chair

  March 19, 2020

  Rhoades McKee is pleased to announce that Pam Cross has been named as Chair of the Estate Planning and Trust Administration Team. As Practice Chair, Cross is responsible for guiding practice development growth and overseeing the delivery of the Estate Planning, Probate Litigation, and Trust Administration services to individuals and families in West Michigan. As […]

• Workplace Issues Prompted By The COVID-19 Pandemic

  March 12, 2020

  The current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has prompted extraordinary public and governmental response, and with it, many practical questions for employers.  We are not medical doctors, and there is an abundance of advice available on-line about common-sense measures employers and employees can and should take to reduce the chance of exposure.  We also know that the […]

• I Dissent! How to Exercise Dissenter’s Rights Under Michigan Law

  March 1, 2020

  A shareholder has the right to receive fair value for his or her shares in the event of certain corporate transactions, such as a merger or sale of assets, by exercising dissenter’s rights.  But in order to exercise your right to dissent and obtain that fair value, you must follow the specific requirements of Michigan […]

• Court of Appeals Expands Scope of Amendments of Affidavits of Merit

  February 20, 2020

  Recently, The Michigan Court of Appeals published a 2-1 opinion addressing whether filing an affidavit of merit (AOM) signed by a new expert in a different specialty constitutes an “amendment” under MCR 2.112(L)(2)(b) in a medical malpractice action.  Legion-London v Crawford (Docket No. 344838).  MCR 2.112(L)(2)(b) requires that “all challenges to an affidavit of merit […]

• Honoring Our Elders: A Legal Perspective on Elder Care

  February 11, 2020

  This conference explores the legal and practical issues that arise as people age, including how to identify differences between wills and trusts, avoid legal entanglements with family, differences between Power of Attorney and Patient Advocate, the process of applying for Medicaid, and access to community resources. Social workers, nurses, nursing home administrators, care managers, professional […]

• Dudley Elected as Shareholder

  February 4, 2020

  Rhoades McKee is pleased to announce that Timothy Dudley was recently elected to Shareholder. With over 53 attorneys and three offices (Grand Rapids, Hastings, and Holland), the firm has grown to include forty shareholders. Timothy Dudley Dudley concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate, corporate and business, and cybersecurity and privacy.  He represents […]

• Law firm elects president of executive committee

  January 31, 2020