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Questions Answered by Michael Zamzow
1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Michigan on
Q: Can my employer require me to use my PTO if I want to get paid when they decide to close shop?

I have two scenarios: 1) I work for an orthodontist office and sometimes they have conferences or go on vacation so we won’t have a doctor. The practice director or doctor will decide the practice will be closed. Sometimes all of us get the day off but other times just some of us and we aren’t... View More

Michael Zamzow
Michael Zamzow
answered on Apr 21, 2023

Maybe. But, it depends largely on whether or not you have a written contract with fixed employment terms within it.

It can be a little complicated (for the employer) when it comes to eligibility for health insurance, UIA, or other things, but generally, at will employees serve at the will...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: My lease ends in May my landlord said I can’t fix damages before that and he is keeping my SD. Can he do this?

My house burned down and I lost everything, I was living in a hotel room with three dogs. I was desperate for a place. The landlord raised rent $400 the night before I signed my lease because of my three dogs. He told me that the house was abandoned by the last tenant and that he understands the... View More

Michael Zamzow
Michael Zamzow
answered on Apr 21, 2023

You've raised quite a lot of potential issues. First, I think you're probably on the right track, listen to your gut and do some research if you're unable to hire an attorney.

Now, the following --generalizations-- might help narrow down your search (but don't limit...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Banking and Business Law for Michigan on
Q: Are there any licences/regulations required for personal finance websites w/affiliate links for loans, credit card, etc?

Curious about starting a website like Nerdwallet or Bankrate.com, where we write articles about financial products/services and have affiliate links to personal loan companies, credit cards, insurance, investments, loans, etc. We wouldn't provide any goods/services ourselves, but would just... View More

Michael Zamzow
Michael Zamzow
answered on Apr 7, 2023

This is not legal advice.

Perhaps. There certainly are regulations that personal finance websites must follow when selling or promoting financial investments and tools. You may consider investigating whether or not the website is required to disclose any material connections or financial...
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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law for Michigan on
Q: Can an employer refuse to pay for my medical bills if I have a seizure at work and they call an ambulance?

This was a few months ago but I wasn’t going to fight it cuz I assumed they were right but my ambulance bills are just piling up because I can’t afford them. They said they aren’t paying for it cuz it’s not a work related injury. The job is a restaurant that’s not a union (as far as I know)

Michael Zamzow
Michael Zamzow
answered on Apr 7, 2023

Had the employer not called an ambulance it might be a wildly different situation and then you might have a cause of action against them. If it helps, imagine if you called an ambulance on behalf of someone, and they asked you to pay for it for simply making a phone call. That could serve as a... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for Michigan on
Q: Had recommend HOA Contractor do some work. After work was done 30 days later new policy installed and I was violated.

Is this legal, when they gave me contractor's information? Should the contractor have known what was allow in the HOA since he came at the HOA recommendation? I spoke to HOA told them work was complete before new policy was in place. I did not hear anything until this year with threats, five... View More

Michael Zamzow
Michael Zamzow
answered on Aug 4, 2022

It depends what the HOA has actually done to enforce the new policy. It sounds to me like it would be grandfathered in until typical HOA policies, but perhaps not. Unfortunately, if the HOA is making a bigger deal out of this than they should it might take a costly lawsuit to get the matter... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking and Business Law for Michigan on
Q: I made an online purchase on the target website using apple cash and because of that purchase someone stole my debit and

Apple cash information. I have proof that it was the target purchase that allowed the hackers to get my information. Do I have a case?

Michael Zamzow
Michael Zamzow
answered on Aug 4, 2022

You do against the hackers. But there's not enough information for other potential parties. Most transactions using Apple Cash are below $1,000 and it is likely you'll get your money back for fraudulent transfers. Have you contacted Apple, Target, and the bank behind Apple Cash? How do... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for Michigan on
Q: I paid a company $4000 to build me an E-commerce website and have received nothing. I made a dispute claim with my bank

and today find out the back did a reversal. The bank said they received some paperwork from the company which they are sending me. So my bank won’t do anything, I constantly call this company either no and or busy signal. Again I received nothing no website nothing . All I want is what I paid for... View More

Michael Zamzow
Michael Zamzow
answered on Aug 4, 2022

It will depend on the contract on the legal side, and where the company is located on the practical side. Without reviewing those pieces of information, your most likely remedy is a lawsuit.

2 Answers | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for Michigan on
Q: Can my employer make me get Covid tested weekly even if I don’t have symptoms? I am unvacc. and only one getting tested

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Michael Zamzow
Michael Zamzow
answered on Aug 4, 2022

I don't believe there is anything suspect about this procedure, more information could tip the scales. The EEOC has published guidance on this and on mandatory vaccinations.

I would be curious to hear what an infectious disease physician would say. But from my perspective, on the...
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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: Uncle bought my house 18 years ago promising it would be mine. I have paid everything. Now wants to sell, what can i do?

I paid all of the mortgage, taxes, repairs etc. we have no signed contract.

Michael Zamzow
Michael Zamzow
answered on Aug 4, 2022

You're outlining a case that comes with a strong headwind. I am hesitant to say it is definitely barred until more information is divulged. While on the one hand it is certainly true the statute of frauds will inevitably be a defense raise by your uncle, it is not a straightforward case:... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Contracts for Michigan on
Q: Is my mentally ill adult daughter liable for an apt lease she signed?

My adult daughter, who is presently already under an apt lease (since Dec 2021) in her hometown in Michigan, signed a one year lease for an apartment in Chicago while on medications (still is) to treat a mental illness.

She went thru a broker who keeps the first month's rent... View More

Michael Zamzow
Michael Zamzow
answered on Aug 4, 2022

What you're outlining, as identified by some other attorneys here, is a defense based on lack of capacity. That is, certain individuals (possibly your daughter) are legally incapable of incurring binding contractual obligations. And in the case of a protected individual in this class who makes... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Michigan on
Q: I don’t remember when my jury questionnaire was sent and I haven’t sent it in yet

I am worried about contempt, I am in Wayne county, MI. I’ve never had a felony or misdemeanor, and I’m able to report for jury duty. I’ve lost the return mailing address envelope sent so I don’t know where to send in a filled form. I guess my question is what is the chance I go to jail or pay a fine

Michael Zamzow
Michael Zamzow
answered on Aug 1, 2022

This is not legal advice, don't construe it as that. The only certain way of getting an answer you can rely on is by hiring an attorney. Below are some practical considerations:

Sometimes the best option is to call the clerk of courts and let them know. While you might face contempt,...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Divorce and Child Custody for Michigan on
Q: I've hidden 98% of my assets in crypto. Can this be found in a custody case?
Michael Zamzow
Michael Zamzow
answered on Aug 4, 2022

If you receive a demand for that information in the form of a court document, subpoena, or other discovery request you'll want to make sure you answer honestly and file an appropriate motion before the due date if you disagree with the request. A defense attorney can help you with discovery... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce for Michigan on
Q: One of my friend’s ex husband’s wrote a fake review under her name the review was to their divorce lawyers agency now

Now the agency is trying to sue her. Is there a way she can ask her lawyer to contact police to pull the IP address of the account making the fake review or how should she go about this

Michael Zamzow
Michael Zamzow
answered on Aug 4, 2022

Well oftentimes when I hear 'trying' to sue someone the lawsuit has not yet been filed. Cooperation can go along way with working together to avoid a lawsuit and also hold the correct actor responsible.

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1 Answer | Asked in Education Law for Michigan on
Q: Can a school district be held accountable for keeping books in the school libraries that contain graphic sexual content?

Books rated for 18 yrs and older being available for all students in the school libraries.

Michael Zamzow
Michael Zamzow
answered on Jul 26, 2022

I am not aware of any books with age-ratings, while it probably depends on what you mean by "held accountable" the answer is "probably not."

1 Answer | Asked in Products Liability for Michigan on
Q: Can a restaurant resell a grocery store's prepared hot food as their own?

I work at the rotisserie chicken section of a large supply chain grocery store. There is a restaurant that orders a large amount from us once or twice a week. As soon as the chicken comes out of the oven, it goes directly into the fridge until they eventually pick it up. They then reheat it and... View More

Michael Zamzow
Michael Zamzow
answered on Jul 26, 2022

It doesn't sound concerning by itself. I suppose tweaking the facts could render it problematic, but it sounds at least from this side of your post, that you are asking out of annoyance.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Gaming for Michigan on
Q: Is there anything i can do to compel my father to either let me find or have him find my binders of pokemon cards?

When i was a minor, i collected Pokémon cards, some were gifts from a variety of family/friends, some I got by trading to friends as well as buying them at yard sales or at the store, with money i earned. He doesn't dispute they belong to me. About 6 years ago my dad bought a new house and my... View More

Michael Zamzow
Michael Zamzow
answered on Jul 26, 2022

Sometimes a practical solution is best. You could offer to split the proceeds of any sale with your father. If you give him an estimate of value, he might change his mind about storing something so valuable.

If he only has three binders, and if they are particularly valuable (a quick google...
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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Small Claims and Lemon Law for Michigan on
Q: Can I sue Ford in small claims court for faulty engine.

My Ford escape with EcoBoost engine blew up. This is a common problem there are class action lawsuits. Can I sue Ford in small claims court and would it be worth it.

Michael Zamzow
Michael Zamzow
answered on Jul 26, 2022

Consider filing a report, the government is usually a good first/middle step before you take things into your own hands. See: https://www.usa.gov/car-complaints

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Business Law for Michigan on
Q: Can a single member LLC be charged a late fee for making a payment on a saturday when the due date was that same day?

I paid my credit card payment electronically on the 25th when it was due which also fell on a Saturday. I was charged a $75 late fee because the company does not accept payments on Saturdays and Sundays so it wasn't processed until the 27th which was on Monday. This credit line is under my... View More

Michael Zamzow
Michael Zamzow
answered on Jul 26, 2022

Being a single member LLC wouldn't change whether or not the late fee can be assessed on the company. It sort of depends on the contract you signed requiring you to pay in the first place to determine whether or not the late fee was properly assessed.

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for Michigan on
Q: The head board at my hotel fell while I was sleeping at right on my head, can I sue?
Michael Zamzow
Michael Zamzow
answered on Jul 26, 2022

You can always sue, it just might not always make sense. In this particular instance, speak with a personal injury attorney.

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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for Michigan on
Q: Is it legal for a trucking company to refuse employment to a driver if they are over a certain weight?

The trucking company is out of Oklahoma. This person is physically able to perform all required job duties and have passed a DOT physical

Michael Zamzow
Michael Zamzow
answered on Jul 26, 2022

That's an interesting question, and possibly. Michigan does offer protection, via statute, from weight discrimination. An Oklahoma company, operating in Michigan, might fit under Michigan protections. It might not though.

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