Is your Association Protected Against Theft, Embezzlement and Fraud?

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Condominium associations and homeowners associations collect assessments from homeowners earmarked for the benefit of the community.  However, there are times when board members, property managers or, more generally, thieves misappropriate or embezzle monies intended to benefit the community. In 2017, the treasurer of the Black Forest Estates Association in Traverse City, Michigan was initially charged with multiple felonies each involving

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2018 Super Lawyers Rising Stars Award Recipients Kevin Hirzel, Joe Wloszek, John Calvin and Brandan Hallaq

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Congratulations to Kevin Hirzel, Joe Wloszek, John Calvin and Brandan Hallaq of Hirzel Law, PLC on being selected as Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” for 2018. Being named a “Rising Star” is a significant honor as no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in the state are awarded this designation each year. Super Lawyers recognizes the top lawyers in Michigan via

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HB 6304: HOA’s could not ban or require approval for solar panels, clothes lines or wind turbines

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On September 5, 2018, Rep. Sheldon Neeley introduced HB 6304 in order to invalidate provisions in the governing documents of homeowners’ association that ban “energy-saving improvements” or require approval from a homeowner’s association to install an “energy-saving improvement.” The proposed bill would be extremely problematic for Michigan community association’s for several reasons. First, HB 6304 is problematic as there may

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How to Avoid Construction Liens in Michigan Condominium Projects

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Condominium associations hire contractors for capital improvements, repairs and for restoration work to the general and limited common elements, if appropriate. When a condominium association hires a contractor to provide labor, services or materials to the condominium and then fails to make payment for any reason, the contractor may record a construction lien against the condominium unit(s) in the condominium

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MI Court rules that MCL 559.208 does not protect a Condominium Association’s lien priority after taking a deed in lieu of foreclosure

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In Stonehenge Condominium Association v Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, NA, unpublished opinion of the Court of Appeals, issued July 24, 2018 (Docket No. 339106), the Michigan Court of Appeals held that a condominium association’s lien priority over a second mortgage was extinguished when the association received a deed to the condominium unit from the co-owner instead of

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Hirzel Law on Fox 2 News involving controversial Westland boundary dispute

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Hirzel Law, PLC has been hired to resolve a boundary dispute between the owners of lots in a platted subdivision and the developer of a proposed 88 unit site condominium in Westland, Michigan.  The attorneys at Hirzel Law, PLC have had previous success in representing clients on issues related to adverse possession and acquiescence.  The proposed development is on the

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Can a Michigan condominium ban solar panels?

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  Approximately 25 states have adopted some form of a solar access statute that makes it illegal for condominium bylaws to contain a provision that completely bans the installation of solar panels. There are approximately 15 different states that have adopted solar easement statutes that uphold the validity of contractual easements for solar access. A full list of states that

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