Law Office of Holly A. JacksonLaw Office of Holly A. Jackson2026-11-11T17:27:03Zhttps://www.hollyjacksonlaw.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1404361/2024/05/cropped-ID-image-1-32x32.jpgOn Behalf of Law Office of Holly A. Jackson<![CDATA[3 types of research needed when starting a business]]>https://www.hollyjacksonlaw.com/?p=470782026-11-04T12:14:03Z2026-11-04T12:14:03Zdue diligence process.
The amount of information available about businesses in different economic sectors can feel overwhelming to those hoping to start a company. What research is actually necessary for a strong business foundation?
1. Market research
Some business models have the potential to succeed, but they require a sizable population base to be sustainable. Other times, there may be plenty of demand, but it is short-term demand related to trends. Looking at overall market trends can help entrepreneurs determine if there is adequate demand for sustainable long-term business operations.
2. Regulatory research
Many types of businesses are subject to state and federal restrictions. Entrepreneurs need to learn about licensing and insurance requirements. They must proactively ensure they understand and comply with the laws that govern the type of business they want to operate. In some cases, regulatory requirements make otherwise profitable businesses difficult to manage.
3. Branding research
Looking into existing competitors, including their company names and prices, is key to creating a competitive business. Each company in a particular industry should have its own brand, both in terms of visual marketing and how it offers goods or services to the public.
All of the research required to start a business can feel overwhelming. Partnering with an attorney can be helpful during the business formation process. A lawyer can support entrepreneurs during research, assist with assessing information and help entrepreneurs plan for long-term success.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Holly A. Jackson<![CDATA[Can people address pet-related concerns in their Michigan wills?]]>https://www.hollyjacksonlaw.com/?p=470762026-10-20T16:37:30Z2026-10-20T16:37:30ZAnimals cannot inherit property
While individual owners may think of their pets as part of the family and may treat them like people, the state views animals as property. They belong to humans and do not have property ownership rights of their own.
Including a pet as a beneficiary in a will can lead to probate complications. It can also leave the animal at risk, as people may offer to take care of it to access the inheritance intended for the animal.
For those who truly want to provide for their pets in their estate plans, adding a trust to the estate plan may be the best solution. A pet trust can structure the use of resources and provides oversight regarding the treatment of the animal. The trustee can help ensure that the animal’s caretaker treats it with respect and kindness. Trust funds can also pass to specific beneficiaries when the animal no longer requires support.
People concerned about providing for their companion animals may need to talk about wills, trusts and other estate planning solutions with a legal professional. Addressing dependents effectively in an estate plan requires an understanding of the law and the right legal documentation.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Holly A. Jackson<![CDATA[Can owners convert single-family homes to duplexes?]]>https://www.hollyjacksonlaw.com/?p=470742026-10-05T00:40:13Z2026-10-05T00:40:13ZRules restrict property conversions
Grand Rapids has land use and zoning rules in place that limit the ability to convert an existing property into a multi-unit home. It is sometimes possible to turn one home into multiple separate living units, but owners must ensure that the zoning for the property or local land use rules allow for the conversion of a single-family home into a multi-unit rental.
In some cases, seeking a zoning variance or change may be necessary for those hoping to turn one home into multiple rental homes. Owners typically also need to secure building permits during construction and register their properties with the City of Grand Rapids if the home is within city limits.
Reviewing applicable ordinances and local zoning rules with a skilled legal team before buying a property for rental purposes or beginning any instructions can prevent people from wasting money and ending up in a legally precarious situation. An attorney can help people research individual properties and navigate the necessary process to lawfully operate a rental home in West Michigan.
]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Holly A. Jackson<![CDATA[When can you get a personal representative removed and replaced?]]>https://www.hollyjacksonlaw.com/?p=470722026-09-22T20:56:21Z2026-09-22T20:56:21ZIf you’re one of the beneficiaries of a recently deceased loved one’s estate who’s less than happy with their choice of a personal representative (executor), you’re not alone. It’s not uncommon for beneficiaries to feel like the personal representative wasn’t the right choice for this critical responsibility.
You may feel like they don’t know what they’re doing, that they’re unnecessarily delaying the disbursement of inheritances, that they are letting assets slip through their hands or even that they’re stealing from the estate. If the personal representative is one of your close relatives, like a sibling, or maybe a stepparent, long-held resentments and conflicts can make it difficult to communicate with them.
Petitioning the court
You – along with other beneficiaries – can consider petitioning the probate court to remove and replace the personal representative. However, unless the court chooses on its own to remove them, you’ll need to provide evidence that you have grounds for removal.Removal of any administrator chosen by the deceased isn’t meant to be simple. The law is meant to protect the deceased’s wishes unless someone they’ve named has violated the law or isn’t adequately protecting the estate.Michigan law details the grounds for “termination of appointment by removal…for cause” as well as the process for doing so.
What grounds does Michigan law require?
The law states that the court can remove a personal representative for any of the following reasons:
They “intentionally misrepresented material facts in a proceeding leading to the appointment.”
They “failed to perform a duty pertaining to the office.”
They’re “incapable of discharging the duties of their office.”
Their removal would be “in the best interests of the estate.”
Some of these reasons are fairly broad. It will likely be necessary to provide specific examples of how a personal representative has mismanaged the estate or why they’re not capable of discharging their duties.Seeking removal of a personal representative is never a pleasant experience for anyone – even if there are no ill feelings involved. Sometimes, for example, an elderly surviving spouse may be the personal representative. They may have been capable of doing the job when they were first named, but not at their current age and in a state of grief. However, they may not want to give up the responsibility their late spouse entrusted to them.Whatever the situation, if you believe that a personal representative should be removed or replaced or at least get outside professional assistance, it’s smart to get experienced legal guidance to protect the estate and its assets.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Holly A. Jackson<![CDATA[What is the difference between someone’s heirs and beneficiaries?]]>https://www.hollyjacksonlaw.com/?p=470692026-09-16T14:38:45Z2026-09-16T14:38:45ZThe decedent chooses their beneficiaries
Technically, adults have the right to control the descent of their property after their death. By creating a will or another testamentary instrument, they can designate specific people to inherit their property. Almost any person or business can be a beneficiary of an estate. People can leave property for their friends or for a charitable cause.
Heirs are different. They have a statutory right to inherit from the estate under the law. State statutes specifically name spouses, children and other close family members as the heirs of a person who dies without a will. Some heirs, such as spouses, have a right to inherit regardless of what an estate plan says. Others may only have a right of inheritance in cases where an individual dies without identifying beneficiaries.
Locating a deceased person’s estate plan is often the first step toward determining whether a personal representative must locate named beneficiaries or all potential heirs. The process can be more complicated when there are no estate planning documents to guide the distribution of property. An attorney can help personal representatives ensure they fulfill their probate responsibilities, including communicating with the people with a right to inherit from an estate, regardless of the particulars involved.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Holly A. Jackson<![CDATA[The importance of financial separation when starting a business]]>https://www.hollyjacksonlaw.com/?p=470672026-08-22T13:02:32Z2026-08-22T13:02:32ZFinancial mistakes during business formation can cause issues later
Paying for business startup expenses out of a personal account or similar financial commingling can have devastating consequences. Typically, people forming limited liability companies (LLCs), corporations and other more complex businesses have protection from liability for the financial obligations of the organization.
Creditors and plaintiffs filing lawsuits must take action against the company, not the person who started the organization or who currently runs it. However, when there is proof of financial misconduct, such as commingling personal assets with business resources, creditors and plaintiffs in lawsuits can ask the courts to pierce the corporate veil.
The courts can set aside the liability protection typically extended to business owners, which allows creditors and plaintiffs to take direct action against individuals instead of the company. Piercing the corporate veil is a common strategy in cases where companies are insolvent or when owners may have more resources than the businesses they operate.
Learning about the risks of business formation can help people to better ensure that they adequately protect themselves. An attorney familiar with business formation procedures and liability rules can help people ensure they protect themselves when starting new businesses accordingly.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Holly A. Jackson<![CDATA[Are holographic wills legal in Michigan?]]>https://www.hollyjacksonlaw.com/?p=470322026-08-07T22:52:14Z2026-08-07T22:52:14ZHolographic wills can be valid
A handwritten will can potentially serve as a valid testamentary instrument, provided that the testator is of sound mind, physically signs the document and ideally hand-writes key portions of the will themselves in their own handwriting. Handwritten wills can be helpful in emergency scenarios, but they also create a host of challenges.
Family members might dispute the validity of the will, in part because they question the handwriting and signature on the documents. There's also the risk of people failing to find or even intentionally destroying a holographic will.
Professionally-created documents are less likely to include terms that violate state law. Working with an attorney reduces the likelihood of a testator failing to meet the necessary legal standards imposed by state statutes. Attorneys can also assist with storage or retrieval of a will after a person passes.
Having support when drafting a will reduces the likelihood of other people failing to find it or violating its terms in the future. While some people in great distress may need to draft holographic or do-it-yourself wills, estate planning with a lawyer is usually the safest and most effective option.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Holly A. Jackson<![CDATA[Can “love letters’ help buyers stand out in a competitive market?]]>https://www.hollyjacksonlaw.com/?p=470302026-07-31T12:37:20Z2026-07-31T12:37:20ZLove letters may violate housing laws
People who have owned and lived at a property for years may feel very protective about not just the home itself but also the community in which they live. They may worry about how selling their property might affect the home and their neighbors.
As such, sending a love letter talking about the best qualities of the home and describing the desire to raise a family there could certainly create an emotional connection that makes a seller consider certain buyers more strongly. However, federal fair housing laws prohibit the consideration of family status and other protected characteristics when making decisions about housing.
Therefore, letters that talk about raising children or other personal characteristics, such as cultural practices, could unintentionally lead to credible claims of housing law violation. Sellers and their real estate agents are potentially vulnerable to claims of discrimination in cases where a love letter plays a factor in the decision about who buys the property.
Buyers and sellers who have appropriate legal representation are less likely to make mistakes that could lead to legal complications later. A real estate attorney can help facilitate a smoother process during what may be the largest transaction of a person's life. While love letters do help in some cases, their usage may be riskier than people initially realize.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Holly A. Jackson<![CDATA[Which estate planning mistakes can cause probate disputes?]]>https://www.hollyjacksonlaw.com/?p=470262026-07-22T08:09:34Z2026-07-22T08:09:34ZOutdated documents that invite conflict
A will you signed 15 years ago might not reflect the current situation of your family. If you later divorced, for example, Michigan law generally revokes provisions favoring your ex-spouse. The resulting distribution may not reflect your current wishes.
Conflicting paperwork creates a similar issue because your will does not control every transfer. If the document leaves an account to one child but the beneficiary form names another, the account will usually pass to the person listed on the form.
Overlooked assets that complicate administration
As your holdings change, some property may fall outside your estate plan. Examples include:
Real estate you acquired after creating a trust but never transferred by deed
Bank and investment accounts that remain titled solely in your name
Digital property, including cryptocurrency, online accounts and stored files
Vehicles, boats and other titled property without a joint owner or named beneficiary
Leaving an asset outside the trust does not necessarily change who receives it, but it can change how the transfer occurs. A pour-over will may direct the property into the trust after probate, while the absence of a residuary provision may cause Michigan intestacy law to govern the property’s distribution.
Drafting errors that undermine validity
Michigan requires a written will to carry your signature and those of two witnesses. Each witness must sign within a reasonable time after seeing you sign or hearing you acknowledge the document or your signature.
An interested person may contest the will based on improper signing, lack of capacity or undue influence. The court may then hear testimony and review other evidence before deciding whether to admit it, which might delay distributions and increase estate expenses.
An attorney can help draft language that reflects your wishes and identify unclear gifts, inconsistent names or missing alternatives. Counsel may also oversee the signing process and create a record of how you completed the will.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Holly A. Jackson<![CDATA[Why informal partnerships can lead to costly disputes]]>https://www.hollyjacksonlaw.com/?p=469822026-07-02T10:32:03Z2026-07-02T10:32:03ZStarting a business with a family member, friend or colleague often begins with excitement and optimism. You trust each other completely and don’t need formal paperwork. A handshake or verbal agreement is all that you need.
Unfortunately, many business disputes begin exactly this way. Even the strongest relationships can be tested when money, responsibilities or business decisions come into play. And without a written partnership agreement, misunderstandings can quickly turn into expensive legal battles.
Protect your business from day one
Business partners don’t anticipate disputes when they first start working together. However, businesses evolve, and situations change over time.Many partnership agreements stem from unanswered questions that could have been addressed before the business began. Common disputes involve:
How profits and losses should be divided
Decision-making authority
Each partner’s contributions and responsibilities
What if one partner wants to leave the company
What if one partner wants to bring on an additional partner
Even when partners believe they’re on the same page, memories fade, and expectations fade. A written agreement provides an objective reference when disagreements arise.Where partners don’t establish their own rules, Michigan law may fill the gap with default rules governing the relationship. But those default provisions may not reflect what each partner originally intended. Relying on Michigan’s rules governing partners' rights and duties rather than a carefully drafted agreement can lead to unexpected outcomes and additional conflict.A well-drafted partnership agreement serves as a roadmap for the business. It clarifies expectations before disagreements occur and gives partners a process for resolving issues without unnecessary litigation.When partnership conflicts can’t be resolved informally, there can be significant financial consequences. Beyond attorney fees and court costs, legal disputes can interrupt daily operations, damage customer relationships, reduce employee morale and harm the company’s reputation.A legal professional can help draft partnership agreements, resolve disputes before they escalate and negotiate buyouts. Seeking their guidance early can protect your investment, preserve important business relationships and position your company for long-term success.
]]>