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Full-Text Articles in Law
Dispossessing Resident Voice: Municipal Receiverships And The Public Trust, Juliet M. Moringiello
Dispossessing Resident Voice: Municipal Receiverships And The Public Trust, Juliet M. Moringiello
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
The residents of struggling cities suffer property dispossessions both as individual owners and as municipal residents. Their individual dispossessions are part of a cycle that often begins with industrial decline. In Detroit, for example, more than 100,000 residents have lost their homes to tax foreclosure over a four-year period that bracketed the city’s bankruptcy filing. Falling property values, job losses, and foreclosures affect municipal budgets by reducing tax revenues. As individual dispossessions exacerbate municipal financial crises, residents can also face the loss of municipal property. Struggling cities and towns often sell publicly owned property—from parks to parking systems—to balance municipal …
Dispossessing Detroit: How The Law Takes Property, Mary Kathlin Sickel
Dispossessing Detroit: How The Law Takes Property, Mary Kathlin Sickel
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
Introduction for the University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform's Symposium “Dispossessing Detroit: How the Law Takes Property,” hosted on November 9 and 10, 2019.
Reconciling Police Power Prerogatives, Public Trust Interests, And Private Property Rights Along Laurentian Great Lakes Shores, Richard K. Norton, Nancy H. Welsh
Reconciling Police Power Prerogatives, Public Trust Interests, And Private Property Rights Along Laurentian Great Lakes Shores, Richard K. Norton, Nancy H. Welsh
Michigan Journal of Environmental & Administrative Law
The United States has a north coast along its ‘inland seas’—the Laurentian Great Lakes. The country enjoys more than 4,500 miles of Great Lakes coastal shoreline, almost as much as its ocean coastal shorelines combined, excluding Alaska. The Great Lakes states are experiencing continued shorefront development and redevelopment, and there are growing calls to better manage shorelands for enhanced resiliency in the face of global climate change. The problem is that the most pleasant, fragile, and dangerous places are in high demand among coastal property owners, such that coastal development often yields the most tenacious of conflicts between public interests …
Walking The Beach To The Core Of Sovereignty: The Historic Basis For The Public Trust Doctrine Applied In Glass V. Goeckel, Robert Haskell Abrams
Walking The Beach To The Core Of Sovereignty: The Historic Basis For The Public Trust Doctrine Applied In Glass V. Goeckel, Robert Haskell Abrams
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
In 2004, a split panel of the Michigan Court of Appeals announced its conclusion that Michigan littoral owners of property owned to the water's very edge and could exclude members of the public from walking on the beach. In that instant almost 3300 miles of the Great Lakes foreshore became, in theory and in law, closed to public use. The case became the leading flash point of controversy between the vast public and ardent private property rights groups. A little more than one year later, the Michigan Supreme Court reversed that ruling as errant on public trust grounds and returned …
Farmland And Open Space Preservation In Michigan: An Empirical Analysis, Sandra A. Hoffmann
Farmland And Open Space Preservation In Michigan: An Empirical Analysis, Sandra A. Hoffmann
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
Part I of this Note describes the political and economic conditions that gave rise to the farmland and open space preservation enactments. It presents a brief political history of the support for this body of legislation and summarizes the economic arguments raised both for and against these preservation efforts. Part II describes the principal types of state farmland and open space preservation programs enacted during the past thirty years. Finally, Part III presents an empirical analysis of P.A. 116.
The Decline And Fall Of A Detroit Neighborhood: Poletown Vs. G.M. And The City Of Detroit, John J. Bukowczyk
The Decline And Fall Of A Detroit Neighborhood: Poletown Vs. G.M. And The City Of Detroit, John J. Bukowczyk
Washington and Lee Law Review
No abstract provided.
Reflections On Stare Decisis In Michigan: The Rise And Fall Of The "Rezoning As Administrative Act" Doctrine, Roger A. Cunningham
Reflections On Stare Decisis In Michigan: The Rise And Fall Of The "Rezoning As Administrative Act" Doctrine, Roger A. Cunningham
Michigan Law Review
In an earlier article in this law review, I discussed the new doctrine that in certain municipalities a decision by the local governing body to rezone or not to rezone land should be deemed an "administrative" or "quasi-judicial," rather than a "legislative," act. This doctrine was introduced into Michigan law several years ago in a series of opinions signed by only three justices of the Michigan Supreme Court. The earlier article dealt principally with the merits of the new "rezoning as administrative act" doctrine. The present article discusses troublesome aspects of the Michigan Supreme Court's attitude toward the principle of …
Preferential Property Tax Treatment Of Farmland And Open Space Under Michigan Law, Ronald Henry
Preferential Property Tax Treatment Of Farmland And Open Space Under Michigan Law, Ronald Henry
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
This note will attempt to explain the new Michigan statute and evaluate the effectiveness of this type of legislation as a means of preserving open space and farmland from conversion to more intensive use.
Residential Tenants And Their Leases: An Empirical Study, Warren Mueller
Residential Tenants And Their Leases: An Empirical Study, Warren Mueller
Michigan Law Review
Of particular interest is the application of this theory to residential leases, a classic example of the standard long-form contract. An abundance of traditional legal research and commentary has been devoted to the problem of disparity of bargaining power between the parties to a standard-form residential lease. The commentators have consistently called for reform measures to combat this problem. In order to adopt sensible and effective reform measures, however, it is first necessary to obtain factual data with which to test and clarify the reformers' underlying assumptions. Such data is virtually nonexistent, since, prior to the study described in this …
Public Control Of Land Subdivision In Michigan: Description And Critique, Roger A. Cunningham
Public Control Of Land Subdivision In Michigan: Description And Critique, Roger A. Cunningham
Michigan Law Review
Michigan seems to be unique in having three separate subdivision control statutes. The Plat Act of 1929, like the Subdivision Control Act of 1967 which will soon replace it, is largely mandatory, prescribing standards and procedures required in all cases of land subdivision (as defined in the statute), whether the municipality in which the land is located has a planning commission or not. The Municipal Planning Act, on the other hand, is simply an enabling act, permissive both with respect to establishment of a planning commission and with respect to the exercise by that commission, once established, of the power …
Real Property - Easements By Implication - Creation Of Easements By Implied Reservations In Michigan, Ralph W. Aigler
Real Property - Easements By Implication - Creation Of Easements By Implied Reservations In Michigan, Ralph W. Aigler
Michigan Law Review
In 1910 K occupied an "old" house located on the westerly portion of her lot fronting on H Street. She built a "new" house on the east side of the lot, moved into it, and rented the "old" house to tenants. As a means of access to the west side and rear of the "new" house, she built and used a sidewalk which led from H Street between the two houses and which was one foot from the west side of the "new" house. This walk "was the only outdoor means of access to the new house's coal chute."
Property - Powers - State Powers Statutes Protecting Creditors And Requiring Formal Execution, Robert A. Smith S. Ed.
Property - Powers - State Powers Statutes Protecting Creditors And Requiring Formal Execution, Robert A. Smith S. Ed.
Michigan Law Review
The first part of the comment considers the elevation sections of the statute-sections that change the donee's interest in the appointive or dispositive property to a fee for the benefit of creditors. The second part considers the execution sections of the statute-sections that subject the execution of powers to conveyancing requirements. These sections are of the utmost significance to estate planners.
Inheritance Taxation - Selected Provisions Of Michigan, Illinois And Ohio - A Study In Application And Justification, Edward B. Stulberg S.Ed.
Inheritance Taxation - Selected Provisions Of Michigan, Illinois And Ohio - A Study In Application And Justification, Edward B. Stulberg S.Ed.
Michigan Law Review
This comment will explore the existing variations in four commonly encountered areas: joint interests with rights of survivorship, contingent remainder interests, powers of appointment, and life insurance proceeds. Emphasis will also be placed on treatment accorded the surviving spouse and children and the implicit relationship between such treatment and some of the above areas. The essence of this examination will be to inquire whether adoption of an estate tax would be a more suitable vehicle for implementing a local death tax program.
A Supplement To "Constitutionality Of Marketable Title Acts"-1951-1957, Ralph W. Aigler
A Supplement To "Constitutionality Of Marketable Title Acts"-1951-1957, Ralph W. Aigler
Michigan Law Review
An article bearing the title, "Constitutionality of Marketable Title Acts," was published in December 1951. It was there pointed out that such legislation, of which the Michigan act is an example, should be found to be within constitutional limits. It was recognized, however, that direct authority was scarce and that cases that might be deemed pertinent were conflicting.
Real Property - Elimination Of The Straw Man In The Creation Of Joint Estates In Michigan, Edward H. Hoenicke S.Ed.
Real Property - Elimination Of The Straw Man In The Creation Of Joint Estates In Michigan, Edward H. Hoenicke S.Ed.
Michigan Law Review
That joint ownership is a popular form of holding title to real property is undeniable. A husband and wife are especially likely to consider this form of ownership as "natural" and desirable because it emphasizes the concept of marriage as a partnership and gives both partners control over and ownership in the family property. In addition to these factors, joint ownership is popular because of the right of survivorship which is incident to it. In this feature the layman sees, or thinks he sees, the opportunity to avoid a probate proceeding, the estate tax, and the lawyer's fee. It is …
Michigan Title Examinations And The 1954 Revenue Code's New General Lien Provisions, L. Hart Wright
Michigan Title Examinations And The 1954 Revenue Code's New General Lien Provisions, L. Hart Wright
Michigan Law Review
Title examiners, and more particularly their clients, have long suffered from a controversy-limited almost exclusively to Michigan- involving the methods by which the United States Treasury Department could perfect general federal tax liens. The December 1952 issue of the Michigan Law Review carried an article by the present writer pointing up the irreconcilable difference which has existed for a quarter of a century between the type of record notice which the Treasury was willing to provide prospective bona fide purchasers et al., and the quite different and more demanding type which the Michigan Legislature insisted upon if the local offices …
Conflict Of Laws-Property-Law Governing Mortgage Deficiency Judgments, William O. Allen S.Ed.
Conflict Of Laws-Property-Law Governing Mortgage Deficiency Judgments, William O. Allen S.Ed.
Michigan Law Review
Defendant, a Michigan corporation, became a guarantor on a mortgage of land located in Alabama. Both the mortgage and underlying note were executed in Alabama and the note was payable there. Upon default, mortgagee, acting under a power of sale, foreclosed the mortgage and became the purchaser at the sale, which was duly conducted according to Alabama law. Mortgagee then brought this action in the federal district court for Michigan to recover the deficiency remaining due after foreclosure. Defendant claimed that the fair market value of the mortgaged property exceeded the balance due on the mortgage debt, and that under …
Real Property--Adverse Possession--What Constitutes Adverse Possession Of Land Used Periodically, George D. Miller Jr.
Real Property--Adverse Possession--What Constitutes Adverse Possession Of Land Used Periodically, George D. Miller Jr.
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff in an ejectment action claimed under a chain of title tracing back to a government patent. Defendants asserted title in themselves by adverse possession. The land in question was wild, undeveloped, and not suitable for farming, but was desirable for hunting and fishing, for which purpose the defendants had used the premises every year since their entry. In 1926 some of the defendants built a cabin on the land, and replaced it in 1932 by the present one, which they built on a cement foundation, painted, and planted grass around. They also erected a sign at the crossroads bearing …
Constitutionality Of Marketable Title Acts, Ralph W. Aigler
Constitutionality Of Marketable Title Acts, Ralph W. Aigler
Michigan Law Review
In recent years several states in that part of the United States commonly identified as the "Middle West" have enacted comprehensive legislation that is hoped will simplify land title transactions. These statutes, though varying in detail, have a common objective-the extinguishment in favor of certain persons of claims against, and interests in, land, which claims and interests arose out of events and transactions that occurred many years ago, unless such claims or interests have been preserved by the recording of a preserving notice within that period of time. A comparatively short period is prescribed for such recording as to old …
Landlord And Tenant-Liability Of Landlord To Persons On The Premises-Breach Of Covenant To Repair, Thomas P. Segerson
Landlord And Tenant-Liability Of Landlord To Persons On The Premises-Breach Of Covenant To Repair, Thomas P. Segerson
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff, a carpenter, hired by tenant, suffered personal injuries in a fall caused by a defective railing on the rear porch of premises leased by defendant to tenant. By the terms of the lease, tenant was given exclusive possession of the premises, while defendant agreed to keep the rear porch in repair. Defendant had failed to repair the railing on being notified of its defective condition. From a judgment holding defendant liable to plaintiff for the injuries sustained; defendant appealed. Held, reversed. In the absence of control of the premises, a lessor is not liable in tort for personal …
Quasi-Contracts-Landlord And Tenant-Recovery For Overpayment Of Rent In Violation Of Statute, William P. Sutter
Quasi-Contracts-Landlord And Tenant-Recovery For Overpayment Of Rent In Violation Of Statute, William P. Sutter
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff occupied a dwelling house from 1928 to 1945, paying $35 per month rent until September, 1941. In that month, defendant, his landlord, increased the rent to $75, which plaintiff paid until September, 1945. The property was registered with the Office of Price Administration at a maximum rental of $35, and this fact was known to plaintiff. Plaintiff's suit to recover the overpayment of $40 per month was dismissed. On appeal, held, affirmed. No statute specifically authorized restitution, and the illegality of the contract precludes restitution in absence of statute. Jones v. Chennault, (Mich. 1948) 35 N.W. (2d) …
Corporations-Restrictions On Holding Real Estate-Lnterpretation Of Michigan's Constitutional Restriction, W. M. Myers
Corporations-Restrictions On Holding Real Estate-Lnterpretation Of Michigan's Constitutional Restriction, W. M. Myers
Michigan Law Review
While it is now well settled that a corporation has the power to acquire and hold real estate, this power may be limited by the charter creating the corporation, by legislative enactments of a general nature, or by specific constitutional provisions. When such a limitation is imposed by constitution, a problem of construction arises in interpreting it in a workable way after the social conditions motivating it have changed or disappeared.
Some Problems In Special Assessment District Obligations, Irvin Long
Some Problems In Special Assessment District Obligations, Irvin Long
Michigan Law Review
The question of the jurisdiction of a board or officer authorized to construct a local improvement and levy special assessments therefor has always been troublesome, and is particularly so when bonds or other obligations are issued in anticipation of the collection of such assessments. A vast amount of litigation has occurred in Michigan in recent years over drain district assessments, and bonds which such districts have issued. While this is of primary interest to Michigan lawyers and investors in public securities, many of the questions involved seem to be of such a general nature, so far as special assessment procedure …
Some Income Tax Aspects Of Community Property Law, Paul R. Trigg, Jr.
Some Income Tax Aspects Of Community Property Law, Paul R. Trigg, Jr.
Michigan Law Review
The recent enactment of community property law in Michigan and other states has created new problems for lawyers. Not the least of these is the question of the income tax consequences which flow from the existence of a community between the spouses. Nor is this the type of problem which can be shrugged off by reference to tax counsel. Local community property law and federal .income tax law are too closely enmeshed to be intelligently divided. No authority is needed for the statement that recently enacted community property laws are a product of high surtaxes. At the same time, these …
Clearance Of Land Titles-A Statutory Step, Ralph W. Aigler
Clearance Of Land Titles-A Statutory Step, Ralph W. Aigler
Michigan Law Review
Public Act of Michigan, No. 200, was approved by the governor on May 17, 1945. Its preparation and enactment are the result of a growing urge for the amelioration of certain conditions in land title transactions.
Covenants-Restrictions Upon The Use Of Land-Negroes
Covenants-Restrictions Upon The Use Of Land-Negroes
Michigan Law Review
Many years ago a subdivision in Detroit was platted, with recorded building restrictions. When ready for the sale of lots, the intended high character of the subdivision and its desirability for expensive residences was much advertised. An association, an informal organization of some of the owners of houses in the subdivision, assumed the right to pass upon the desirability of prospective lot purchasers, and there was some indication that the person who advertised and marketed most of the lots verbally agreed to submit to the association the names of prospective purchasers and assured some intending purchasers that colored persons would …
Constitutional Law - Due Process - Notice And Hearing - Validity Of Statute Authorizing Seizure Of Property Illegally In Possession Of Pawnbroker, Wilbur Jacobs
Michigan Law Review
Complainant, believing his property to be illegally in the possession of defendant pawnbroker, obtained a search warrant, authorized by statute to be issued, on complaint under oath, by any magistrate who is satisfied that there is reasonable cause for complainant's belief. Although the statute required the property to be seized and delivered to complainant on his posting a bond for double the value of the property, the property was not in fact seized. However, actual notice to appear and be heard on a certain date was given to the defendant, even though such notice was not expressly required by the …
Railroads -- Extent Of Title Acquired By Railroad By Adverse Possession Of Land Used As Right-Of-Way - Effect On Mineral Rights, Roy L. Rogers
Railroads -- Extent Of Title Acquired By Railroad By Adverse Possession Of Land Used As Right-Of-Way - Effect On Mineral Rights, Roy L. Rogers
Michigan Law Review
In a recent Michigan case it appeared that for more than the statutory period of limitation the plaintiff railroad had maintained a right-of-way over land to which the defendant held the record title. A decree quieting title in fee simple absolute in the plaintiff railroad was sought in order to determine the ownership of the oil and gas underlying the right-of-way. The court held that the railroad acquired by adverse user of the right-of-way no title to the oil and gas or other minerals beneath the surface of the land.
Constitutional Law - Municipal Corporations - Delegation Of Power - Consent Of Adjoining Property Owners - Reasonableness Of Restriction On The Use Of Property., Michigan Law Review
Constitutional Law - Municipal Corporations - Delegation Of Power - Consent Of Adjoining Property Owners - Reasonableness Of Restriction On The Use Of Property., Michigan Law Review
Michigan Law Review
An ordinance of the city of Detroit regulated trailer camps in part by requiring the consent of sixty-five per cent of the adjoining property owners before a permit would issue, and by forbidding the parking of occupied trailers in any camp or camps for more than ninety accumulated days in any twelve-months' period. Plaintiff camp owner sought to restrain enforcement of the restrictions. Held, that as to both the consent and the ninety-day provisions, the ordinance is a valid and reasonable exercise of the police power. Cady v. City of Detroit, 289 Mich. 499, 286 N. W. 805 …
Trusts - Right Of Trustee's Wife To Dower In Property Held Subject To Oral Trust - Effect Of Subsequent Memorandum - Dower Where Trustee Has Both Legal And Equitable Interest, Michigan Law Review
Trusts - Right Of Trustee's Wife To Dower In Property Held Subject To Oral Trust - Effect Of Subsequent Memorandum - Dower Where Trustee Has Both Legal And Equitable Interest, Michigan Law Review
Michigan Law Review
Pursuant to an oral agreement and upon consideration furnished by them, A, B, and C procured land to be conveyed to A by a third party. Six days later A executed a self declaration of trust in the terms of the oral agreement; that he would operate it, and within a specified period sell the property and divide the proceeds between himself, B and C, as beneficiaries. A suit to remove A as trustee culminated in a judicial sale of the property to B and C. In this proceeding by B and C to quiet title, A …