Don’t Forget About the Fine Print

As a small, medium, or even large business, you likely encounter contracts on a daily basis. Contracts include the agreed-to price, time for delivery or for service to be complete, and all other hard-fought negotiation terms. Yet, every contract is also likely to contain numerous fine print “terms and conditions.” While money may be made
Updating your Company’s Drug Policies in the age of Recreational Marijuana

There are many reasons that you don’t want your employees showing up to work high, but what can you do about it now that marijuana has been legalized in Michigan? Well for starters, the courts have held that the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act (“MMMA”) does not prohibit employers from disciplining employees based on marijuana use.[i]
Considering a Prenuptial Agreement?

Getting married? Has your fiancée approached you about signing a prenuptial agreement? If so, make sure you have an attorney – your attorney – look at it first. Now discussing a prenuptial agreement may not be as romantic or fun as picking out your honeymoon destination, but sometimes the discussion is necessary, especially if you
What to do When you are Asked to Sign a Non-Competition Agreement?

Non-Competition Agreements are enforceable in Michigan. These contracts, sometimes called Covenants-Not-To-Compete, are designed to protect an employer from unfair competition from a former employee or are also used when buying or selling a business or setting up a distribution network. Some estimates are that over 20% of workers in the United States are covered by
Estate Planning When You Are Separated
Today’s modern family can be complex. In fact, today, many spouses have chosen to remain permanently separated without going through the process of divorce. While this arrangement may work in the short-term, such an arrangement has serious unforeseen consequences after a spouse has passed away. Long-term separations like this can raise complex inheritance issues, as
Shinners & Cook Hires Attorney Joseph Albosta
Shinners & Cook would like to introduce their newest Associate Attorney, Joseph Albosta. Albosta received his Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with focuses in Economics and Political Science from Michigan State University in 2001 and his Juris Doctorate from Michigan State University in 2009. Albosta previously worked at the Saginaw County Prosecutor’s Office for the
Who Really Owns Your Property?

Do you know where the property line between you and your neighbor is? Is it marked by a fence, a tree, or a rock? Do you just guess as to its actual location? If this sounds like your situation, you may be risking losing part of your property through a doctrine called adverse possession. Or,
New Paid Medical Leave Law in Michigan

The Michigan legislature has passed the Paid Medical Leave Act. The Legislature adopted 2018 PA 369 on December 4, 2018, and Governor Snyder signed the legislation into law on December 13, 2018. The bill will take effect in March 2019. Under the new law, employers with 50 or more employees are now required to provide
New Minimum Wage Law in Michigan

The Michigan legislature has amended the Minimum Wage Law in Michigan. The Legislature adopted 2018 PA 368 on December 4, 2018, and Governor Snyder signed the legislation into law on December 13, 2018. The bill will take effect in March 2019. Under the new law, the minimum wage employers will be required to pay their
How does the Department of Transportation Repair Claims Process Work?

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has jurisdiction over state trunkline (M, I, or US route), not local or county roads. Thus, if your car is damaged on a state truckline, due to the condition of the road condition you can submit a claim to MDOT. If you have a claim for repair on a