http://www.suttonsbaylaw.com Suttons Bay Attorney Dan A. Penning - The Suttons Bay Law Offices of Wright Penning & Beamer P.C. - The Home of Cottage Law - 231.271.4500 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:26:17 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en In 2008, the Michigan Court of Appeals held that a child's ability to sue for a personal injury is not impaired despite any pre-injury waivers signed by the child's parent. The case of Woodman v. Kera, L.L.C., 280 Mich. App. 125 (2008), involved a 5-year-old boy who was injured ... http://www.suttonsbaylaw.com/2010/03/08/update-on-effect-of-parental-waivers-for-children/ In response to challenging economic times, a number of employers have announced reduced work hours or "furlough" days. Generally speaking, reducing work hours for hourly employees is a safe and fair way to help control labor costs in difficult times. When dealing with salaried employees who are exempt ... http://www.suttonsbaylaw.com/2010/03/01/use-caution-when-reducing-work-hours-for-salaried-employees/ In December of 2009, Congress and the President approved an extension and expansion of a COBRA premium subsidy law that was due to expire on December 31, 2009. The program now runs through February 28, 2010, rather than December 31, 2009, and the subsidy period is expanded from nine ... http://www.suttonsbaylaw.com/2010/02/22/cobra-subsidy-extension-means-more-work-for-employers/ Personal Property Taxes For Business There are two (2) types of property taxes in Michigan: taxes applicable to real property taxes applicable to personal property. "Real property" is land, and includes any buildings that are on the land, things that are permanently attached to the land and things that are permanently attached to the ... http://www.suttonsbaylaw.com/2010/02/15/how-businesses-may-contest-personal-property-tax-classifications-personal-property-taxes-for-business/ Beginning in 2008, the Michigan state legislature passed a large tax reduction for personal property classified as Industrial Property. As a result, personal property classified as Industrial Property receives an approximate 50% tax reduction when compared to personal property classified as Commercial Property. Thus, some assessing jurisdictions are reviewing the ... http://www.suttonsbaylaw.com/2010/02/08/classification-matters-personal-property-taxes/ As you probably have heard, the federal estate tax rules changed radically in 2010 and will change radically again in 2011 unless Congress passes new legislation. This article will discuss what some of the changes can mean for you. First, a little background: The 2001 Tax Act. In 2001, Congress passed legislation ... http://www.suttonsbaylaw.com/2010/02/08/estate-tax-uncertainties/ Blog Added to Our New Cottage Law & Cottage Succession Planning Website! We've added a blog to our new cottage law website to post additional information about cottage succession planning, and for cottage family members to post their favorite memories of time spent at the family cottage. Please stop by and ... http://www.suttonsbaylaw.com/2010/02/03/blog-added-to-our-new-cottage-law-cottage-succession-planning-website/ In today's difficult economic climate, businesses and their owners face increase risk of being sued. Given this risk, business owners should do all they can to minimize exposure of their personal assets with respect to possible liability resulting from these lawsuits. Typically, incorporating a business is an effective means of protecting ... http://www.suttonsbaylaw.com/2010/02/03/protecting-your-business-and-personal-assets-in-a-difficult-economy/ You will soon be receiving your 2010 Notice of Assessment for your Michigan real property. We pursue tax appeals both at the local Board of Review and before the Michigan Tax Tribunal. We can help with . . . * What to do with my assessment notice? ... http://www.suttonsbaylaw.com/2010/02/03/2010-notice-of-assessments-for-michigan-real-property/ The HAITI Assistance Income Tax Incentive Act has recently been enacted into law to provide tax payers who give to charities providing earthquake relief in Haiti an opportunity to deduct their tax deductible donations on either their 2009 or 2010 tax returns. Only cash contributions are eligible as opposed to ... http://www.suttonsbaylaw.com/2010/02/03/haiti-assistance-income-tax-incentive-act/