Navigating Legal Waters: Understanding Michigan’s Marketable Record Title Act & Corporate Transparency Act

Date: 4/29/2024

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Webinar – Online Only

Details: Join us for an insightful webinar as we delve into two critical legal topics affecting homeowners associations and corporate entities across Michigan and the United States.

Michigan’s Marketable Record Title Act (MRTA), established in 1945, often lurks in the shadows of homeowners associations’ awareness. Yet, its impact on communities can be significant. Our expert panel will provide a comprehensive overview of the MRTA, exploring its evolution since the groundbreaking 2018 amendment. Learn about the potential extinguishment of restrictive covenants and the latest 2022 amendment that offers a glimmer of hope with a potential safe harbor provision. We’ll also discuss proactive measures your HOA or condo association can take to navigate these changes effectively.

Enacted in 2021, the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) aims to curb illicit financial activities by enhancing transparency in corporate entities operating in the United States. Our webinar will unravel the intricacies of the CTA, focusing on its implications for condominium and homeowners associations. Delve into the new reporting requirements mandated by FinCEN and gain invaluable insights into compliance strategies. Our seasoned legal experts will provide a roadmap for navigating the CTA’s complexities and discuss potential penalties for non-compliance.

Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4M4hCFbXSDWLE749B5EY3A#/registration

2023 Legislative Update Webinar

Date: 1/24/2024

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Webinar – Online Only

Details: This webinar is presented by Matthew Heron and is essential for any community association that wants to stay up to date and learn about new changes in the law. This seminar discusses legislation that was passed in 2022 and pending legislation that is being considered that impact condominium and homeowners associations.

Live Recording Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5BG2ORGlyI

2023 Michigan Land Title Association (MLTA) Fall Education Summit

Date: 11/7/2023

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Location: Embassy Suites, Grand Rapids, MI

Details: https://www.milta.org/events/

Real Property Law Section Real Estate Outlook 2024 Roundtable: Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac & Condos

Date: 11/2/2023

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Location: The Detroit Athletic Club, Detroit, MI

Details: https://connect.michbar.org/realproperty/events/roundtables

Document Amendment (Webinar)

Date: 9/27/2023

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Webinar – Online Only

Details: Join Matthew Heron as he discusses the process of amending a community association’s governing documents and the importance of obtaining community buy-in to proposed changes.  With this month’s seminar, in addition to discussing some of the pitfalls of document amendments, Mr. Heron intends to focus on community support and the factors that go into determining whether a document amendment project is likely to succeed.  Knowing the proper way to approach the community about a document amendment project can help ensure the best chance of the documents being adopted.  The webinar is FREE for everyone to attend. LIVE streaming will be available at 6:00 p.m.  If you have any questions or concerns please email info@hirzellaw.com.

Live Recording Link: https://youtu.be/lPuenj3rRQY

Lakeshore Association of Condominium Associations Spring Education Seminar

Date: 6/15/2023

Time: 4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Location: The Pinnacle Center, 3330 Highland Dr. Hudsonville, MI 49426

Details: https://shorturl.at/fsCGT

Reserves: New Scrutiny and Liabilities for Boards & The Challenges of Social Media for Associations, Managers and Boards • CEU

Date: 5/23/2023

Time: 2:20 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.

Location: Webinar – Online Only

Details: Brainerd Communications, Inc presents a panel of attorneys to discuss thought-provoking conversation involving reserves and social media challenges. Boards are under increasing pressure from owners, insurance companies, banks and governmental regulations in regard to proper reserves. This seminar provides an overview on determining the appropriate reserve level, overlooked reserve items, fiduciary duty of the board, new banking and insurance requirements, trends in legislation, board liabilities and lawsuits, reserve studies versus engineering reports and how inflation affects capital planning. The seminar will also provide an overview of the challenges of social media and best practices for proper communication methods between the Board and Manager as well as the Manager and Owners.  

Live Recording Link: https://www.gotostage.com/channel/44207b5513cb401e8731a1bb42a2da23/recording/35d550463fc045119cdf4c500649af4a/watch?source=CHANNEL

Breach of fiduciary duty – Not only for board members that vote “Yes” but attorneys and board members who vote “No” • CEU

Date: 5/2/2023

Time: 2:20 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.

Location: Webinar – Online Only

Details: Brainerd Communications, Inc presents a panel of attorneys to discuss thought-provoking conversation involving legal liability and ethics. Board members owe a fiduciary duty act in the best interest of their community associations. While directors may be subject to personal liability for breaching that fiduciary duty, some states are extending the liability to those who aid and abet a breach of fiduciary duty. This seminar provides an overview of the aiding and abetting tort as well as a community association attorney’s options when a client chooses the wrong path or ignores their advice.

Live Recording Link: https://www.gotostage.com/channel/44207b5513cb401e8731a1bb42a2da23/recording/35d550463fc045119cdf4c500649af4a/watch?source=CHANNEL

Common Bylaw Violations and How to Handle Them

Date: 3/8/2023

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Webinar – Online Only

Details: This webinar focused on how to effectively handle common bylaw violations and options for dealing with repeat offenders. In particular, this webinar addresses pets, leasing (short-term and long-term), smoking, noise, parking, trash and more. Learn about best practices and timeframes for taking legal action.

Live Recording Link: https://youtu.be/T9nmnP_RsFA

2022 Legislative Update Webinar

Date: 1/25/2023

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Webinar – Online Only

Details: This webinar will be presented by Matthew Heron and is essential for any community association that wants to stay up to date and learn about new changes in the law. This seminar discusses legislation that was passed in 2022 and pending legislation that is being considered that impact condominium and homeowners associations.

Live Recording Link: https://youtu.be/S_1x_H2OCaA

Concurrent Session: CIRMS Master Program: Community Association Risk Management & Insurance Case Law Review Part 1

Date: 1/12/2023

Time: 3:00 p.m.

Location: 2023 Community Association Law Seminar (New Orleans, LA)

Details: The presentations will go beyond the basics of community association risk management and insurance by examining and reviewing legal issues that have developed through case law that affect all risk management and insurance providers in the community association marketplace. Both reviews will look at as many as 10 cases across the U.S. Additional discussion will be included regarding substantive issues raised in the case law that may impact the administration of agency practice and/or evaluation of risk for association insureds.

Everything Your Community Association Needs to Know About Collecting Assessments

Date: 10/6/2022

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Webinar- Online Only

Details: Senior Attorney, Chantelle Neumann, presented this webinar on how to effectively collect unpaid assessments as well as options for dealing with delinquent members. Specifically, the webinar addresses the importance of having a collection policy, the role of property managers in collecting delinquencies, best practices and timeframes for taking legal action, the lien and foreclosure process, bankruptcy, and more.

All Things Rentals (Webinar)

Date: 6/8/2022

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Webinar- Online Only

Details: This webinar will discuss common issues that arise with respect to rentals in community associations.  In particular, this webinar will address standard rental requirements, short term rentals, rental caps, and remedies for violations.  Join Michael Pereira to learn about all things rentals. The webinar is FREE for everyone to attend. LIVE streaming will be available at 6:00 pm. If you have any questions or concerns please email info@hirzellaw.com. 

Live Recording Link: https://youtu.be/NSrGByyxsWs

How to Answer the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Surfside Condo Addendums (Webinar)

Date: 3/23/2022

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Webinar- Online Only

Details: This webinar will discuss the current lending requirements from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for purchasing attached condominium units.   In early 2022, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac updated their lending guidelines and included an addendum that requires information related to the condition of the building that was not previously requested after the Surfside condominium collapse.  Condominiums that are deemed ineligible for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac financing may see a dip in property values, as the pool of potential purchasers for condominium units may shrink. This seminar will discuss the new lending requirements as well as walk through the new condo questionnaire on a step-by-step basis to give you practical tips on how to answer the questions and keep units in your condominium eligible for traditional financing.  The webinar is FREE for everyone to attend. LIVE streaming will be available at 6:00 pm. Please RSVP by email to info@hirzellaw.com.   This seminar is eligible for 2 hours of CMCA continuing education credit.

Case Law Update (Webinar)

Date: 1/19/2022

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Webinar- Online Only

Details: This seminar was presented by Kayleigh Long and reviewed the important cases that were decided in 2021 that impact condominium and homeowners associations.  If you have any questions or concerns please email info@hirzellaw.com. 

Bylaw Enforcement (Webinar)

Date: 11/18/2021

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Webinar – Online Only

Details: This webinar will focus on how to effectively handle common bylaw violations and options for dealing with repeat offenders. In particular, this webinar will address pets, leasing (short-term and long-term), smoking, noise, parking, trash and more. Learn about best practices and timeframes for taking legal action. The webinar is FREE for everyone to attend. LIVE streaming will be available at 6:00 pm. If you have any questions or concerns please email info@hirzellaw.com. 

Live Streaming Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81991087589

When Do We Stop Kicking That Can Down The Road? (Webinar)

 Date: 10/22/2021

Time: 8:45 a.m.

Location: Webinar- Online Only

Details: Kevin Hirzel will be a presenter at the Michigan CAI Educational Seminar.

How to handle aging infrastructure poses significant challenges for boards and managers alike, and as we recently saw in Florida, failing to address those challenges can result in severe consequences for communities. Evaluating the project through the assistance of a reserve study is just one aspect of the proper planning necessary to prevent communities from falling into a state of disrepair. This seminar will also focus on: (i) how these projects can be funded, including using loans to do so; (ii) strategies for communicating with members about reconstruction and the financial obligations associated with making such improvements; and (iii) the legal risks of ignoring the inevitable deterioration caused by time, weather and other factors.

To register for this event, please click on the following link: http://www.cai-michigan.org/events/October-22nd-Virtual-Mini-Expo—-2-C.E.-Units_AE12.html​

Lessons Learned from the Surfside Condo Collapse  (Webinar)

Date: 9/23/2021

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Webinar- Online Only

Details: The Surfside Condominium collapse was one of the most horrific tragedies in the history of condominium operations.  While the exact causes of the collapse are still being investigated, there are still many important lessons to be learned and preventive measures that your condominium association can implement to avoid a similar issue in your community.  The topics that will be covered include the following:

1. Financial Planning – Examining Budgets, Community Association Loans and Reserves
2. Inspections – Engineering Reports and Reserve Studies
3. Liability – Examining potential liability issues for co-owners, board members, developers, property managers, vendors, and municipalities
4. Document Amendments – Examining potential document amendments to help prevent future tragedies

The webinar is FREE for everyone to attend! LIVE Streaming will be available at 6:00 pm. – Please RSVP to Fallon Baker at info@hirzellaw.com.

Live Streaming link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81330292475

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Voting in the Zoom Era: Electronic Voting for Community Associations (Webinar)​

Date: 5/27/2020

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Location: Webinar- Online Only

Details:  Join Matthew Heron as he discusses the different ways that a Homeowners Association can keep its community engaged using the voting tools available under the Michigan Nonprofit Corporation Act and the Association’s own governing documents.  Through the use of ballots, online meetings, and polling locations, it is easier than ever for the members of a community to stay connected and sustain participation in the post-COVID world if you know what tools are out there and how to use them. The webinar is FREE for everyone to attend. LIVE Streaming will be available at 7:00 pm. If you have any questions or concerns please email info@hirzellaw.com. 

Everything your Community Association needs to know about collecting assessments (Webinar)

Date: 2/18/2021

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Webinar- Online Only

Details: This webinar will focus on how to effectively collect unpaid assessments as well as options for dealing with delinquent members. Specifically, the webinar will address the importance of having a collection policy, the role of property managers in collecting delinquencies, best practices and timeframes for taking legal action, the lien and foreclosure process, bankruptcy, and more. Brandan A. Hallaq of Hirzel Law, PLC  will be presenting. The webinar is FREE for everyone to attend! Live streaming will be available at 6:00 pm., Please RSVP to info@hirzellaw.com.

Live Streaming link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86243182513

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2020 Legislative Update (Webinar)

Date: 11/19/2020

Time: 5:00 p.m.

Location: Webinar – Online Only

Details: This webinar will be presented by Kevin Hirzel and is essential for any community association that wants to stay up to date and learn about new changes in the law. This seminar will review the important cases that were decided in 2020 that impact condominium and homeowners associations.  The seminar will also discuss legislation that was passed in 2020 and pending legislation that may be passed before the end of the year.  The seminar will discuss best practices for boards and potential amendments to governing documents as a way to deal with the changes in the law that occurred in 2020.  This webinar is free to all those that RSVP to info@hirzellaw.com.

Live Streaming Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86955628658

Tips for Dealing with Covid-19 in your Community Association (Farmington, MI)

Date: 9/30/2020

Time: 4:00 p.m.

Location: Webinar – Online Only

Details: This webinar will focus on how to get your Association operating in the new “normal” after COVID-19.  Topics that will be discussed are whether to reopen recreational facilities, potential liability for community associations and board members that make the decision to reopen, document amendments that can be used to limit liability, rules for reopening common areas, insurance coverage for potential claims related to COVID-19 and how to conduct association meetings online and when association meetings should be held in person.  A Q&A will take place at the end of the presentation.

Reopening your Community Association after Coronavirus

Date: 6/4/2020

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Webinar- Online Only

Details: This webinar will focus on the proper procedures for reopening your Condo or HOA after Governor Whitmer starts the process of relaxing restrictions contained in the current Executive Orders.  Topics that will be discussed are whether community associations should reopen non-essential recreational facilities after the limitations in the current Executive Orders are removed, potential liability for community associations and board members that make the decision to reopen, document amendments that can you be used to limit liability, rules for reopening common areas, insurance coverage for potential claims related to COVID-19, how to conduct association meetings online and when association meetings should be held in person.   A Q&A will take place at the end of the presentation.  Kevin Hirzel, Matt Heron, Joe Wloszek and Kayleigh Long, all from Hirzel Law, PLC, will be presenting. The webinar is FREE for everyone to attend! LIVE Streaming will be available at 6:00 pm., Please RSVP to info@hirzellaw.com.

Live Streaming link https://www.gotomeet.me/Hirzel

Ask the Pros: COVID-19 and Community Associations Q&A (Webinar)

Date: 5/4/2020

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Location: Webinar- Online Only

Details: Please join us virtually for this presentation. This webinar will focus on getting your questions answered! Topics will include: Appropriate cleaning practices the common areas of in community associations and office buildings, The current status of the Emergency Orders in Michigan and what they will mean for community associations, The current status of the Payment Protection Program and EIDL loans through the SBA, along with other loan alternatives, Federal legislation impacting the housing market related to credit reporting, mortgages, evictions and family/sick leave and Legal issues impacting community associations related to collections, remote meetings and safety. We will have 4 panelist to address your questions/concerns. Kevin Hirzel of Hirzel Law, PLC. Tom Engblom of CIT Bank. Wendy Sherman of SERVPRO and C. Scott Canady of Tambala Strategy.

The webinar is FREE for everyone to attend! LIVE Streaming will be available at 1:00 pm., Please RSVP to info@hirzellaw.com.

Live Streaming link https://www.gotomeet.me/Hirzel

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Ask the Pros: COVID-19 and Community Associations Q&A (Webinar)

Date: 4/17/2020

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Webinar- Online Only

Details:  Due to the recent Covid-19 virus spread we are converting this seminar into a live webinar. Your safety and comfort is our first priority! Please join us virtually for this presentation. This webinar will focus on getting your questions answered! Topics will include: Loan programs available for Community Associations management companies, Insurance claims related to Covid-19 (personal injury, property damage, loss of business incomes and workers compensation), Best practices for Community Associations to implement for safety: What happens if an owner is diagnosed with Covid-19? and changes to collection policies and how to properly conduct remote meetings. We will have 3 panelist to address your questions/concerns. Kevin Hirzel of Hirzel Law, PLC. Herb Dorow of Maris Brown Insurance Agency and Linda Strussione of Owens & Strussione PC. The webinar is FREE for everyone to attend! LIVE Streaming will be available at 6:00 pm., Please RSVP to info@hirzellaw.com.

Live Streaming link https://www.gotomeet.me/Hirzel

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Is your Association keeping up with technology? (Novi, MI)