Kenneth V Zichi

Helping Livingston County residents navigate the legal system for 30 years. I focus on Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning and Probate, with a significant portion of my practice also concerning Real Estate and general civil litigation. If you have questions or issues with your home, a cabin up north, or want to insure your family is cared for after you are gone, I'd be happy to meet with you, perhaps bust some myths, and certainly insure YOUR and your family's needs are met. Call for an appointment today!

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

J.D.

1983 - 1986

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

A.B. | History / Communications

1977 - 1981

Honors: LS&A Honors College 1977-1979

Owner

Kenneth V . Zichi J.D.

1991 - Current

Mayor

City of Williamston (Michigan)

2000 - 2010

Newsroom Seminar, WNEM TV/AM - Saginaw MI

March 15, 2013

State Bar of Michigan - Law & Media committee

An hour-long seminar addressing some of the common practical and substantive difficulties journalists encounter in covering the legal system in Michigan.

State Bar of Michigan

Member

1986 - Current

estate and probate section Michigan bar

member

1986 - Current

Law and Media committee - State Bar of Michigan

member

2010 - 2015

Michigan

Since 1986

• Free Consultation
  Telephone [(810) 299-5222] or office conferences, 20 minutes or less. Longer conferences may incur a minimal fee.
• Contingent Fees

Q. what is the allowable interest that my michigan condo association charge on late once a year payment hoa fee?

April 19, 2024

A: Assuming they are dealing with an INDIVIDUAL, the standard usury law would apply.

What do the condo association documents say? Is that compliant with usury rules? Has anyone raised the issue with the condo board?

Condos are a rather strange animal especially when so many people suggest that smaller government is better, it never ceases to amaze me that they say this, and then voluntarily buy a house that has an additional layer of government without the protections built into all the 'official' layers.

In short, they can charge whatever interest they want so long as it doesn't run afoul of state usury laws and if you don't like that, you should not buy in a condo area! ... Read More

Q. If you sold a property on a land contract and now the person was buying it is trying to sell it.

April 18, 2024

A: In MICHIGAN the buyer on a land contract has what is called 'Equitable Title'.

While that entails certain limitations, that means they *can* LEGALLY sell their interest, and ... here's the kicker ... if they can do so before you complete the forfeiture or foreclosure on the land contract (including whatever redemption period there may be) then they can sell THEIR interest. Assuming they sell for MORE than what they owe you and what is owed in back taxes, they DO indeed get to 'keep' the extra, as they will pay off what they owe on the land contract before the 'eviction' (that's the wrong term, but it is what you used so...) which is all you are entitled to as the legal title holder, and you then have the OBLIGATION to turn the legal title over to them which they in turn will be obligated to transfer to their buyer.

The time line you present may not work but IF they can pull it off, they can indeed sell their interest and collect *a portion* of the money of that sale.

You absolutely NEED to have local legal help look things over and determine what your situation is. This varies from state to state! And your time line is 'tight' here. Seek that local legal representation asap. ... Read More

Q. My mother passed last month, leaving no one as a beneficiary on her 401k.

April 15, 2024

A: PoAs are ineffective after the principal dies so that means nothing. Did she have a will and was there a personal representative named in it?

If so that person has ‘priority’ to start probate. If not you and all your siblings — assuming your mom was unmarried at the time she passed — all have equal priority to start probate.

The process is fairly straightforward but the details are important and not ‘obvious’.

I’d urge you to consult with a local licensed probate attorney to help with the process. Probate MAY be needed but there might also be alternatives— that local attorney can analyze the situation and provide advice.