December 5, 2016
In Petersen Financial LLC v Twin Creeks LLC, issued November 22, 2016 (Docket No. 329019) (Published Opinion) the Michigan Court of Appeals held that deed restrictions that were not within the chain of title were not enforceable. In 2000, Twin Creeks, LLC owned the complete parcel of land that was located in the Twin Creek Development (hereinafter "Twin Creek"). In…
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November 23, 2016
Deep fried turkey combines the deliciousness of a well-cooked turkey with the crispiness of deep-fried goodness. Thanksgiving is one of the few opportunities many families have to enjoy a deep-fried turkey because of the time and attention needed to use a deep-fryer, especially one able to handle a ten pound turkey. What can go wrong?
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October 19, 2016
In 1948, the United States Supreme Court in Shelley v. Kraemer, 334 U.S. 1 (1948) declared that racially restrictive deed restrictions violated the Fourteenth Amendment and would not be enforced by the courts. However, it remained legal for property owners and realtors to discriminate on the basis of race privately. It took a full twenty years after the Supreme Court’s…
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September 2, 2016
The Court held that Defendant's camper is a motor vehicle registered with the Secretary of State. While the camper may have a geometric design much like a box, the court reasoned that it was not designed for permanent use. Accordingly, the court held that the restriction was not violated by having a camper on the property because a camper was…
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May 26, 2016
In Suttons Bay Yacht Village Condominium Association, et. al. v Board of Representatives of Port Sutton Community, et. al., Docket No. 325327 (May 19, 2016) (Unpublished Opinion), the Michigan Court of Appeals held that an unincorporated voluntary association had the legal authority to administer a declaration as a master homeowners association. In 1982, a declarant recorded a declaration of covenant,…
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February 19, 2016
The Michigan Court of Appeals recently made the following significant rulings that impact Michigan Homeowners’ Associations in Conlin v Upton, Michigan Court of Appeals Docket No. 322458 (November 24, 2015) (Published Opinion): The absence of an amendment provision in the original declaration of restrictions for a subdivision precluded a HOA from later amending its declaration with less than unanimous consent…
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