Metro Detroit is home to one of the largest Arab American communities in the United States. At SMDA we are honored to serve the legal needs of these individuals and of the diverse backgrounds throughout our community, including Chaldean-Americans. Metro Detroit has the largest community of Chaldeans, over 120,000. Many of these Chaldeans reside in…
Continue reading ›When someone is involved in a car accident, they may have many questions. Most importantly, they are left wondering what the next step is. Our experienced attorneys are here to help. Typically, a personal injury claim begins with consulting with an attorney who has experience handling these types of claims. SMDA has decades of experience…
Continue reading ›Our firm handles auto accident cases on a contingency fee. Having a contingency fee agreement means that the attorney fee is contingent upon the outcome of the case. In other words, you only pay us if we are able to recover a settlement or obtain a verdict on your case. This type of fee agreement…
Continue reading ›Texting while driving continues to increase and is a very dangerous distraction. Texting while driving causes you to take your eyes off the road, your hands off of the wheel, and your mind off of driving. These three forms of distractions, whether individually or combined, can lead to a fatal accident. When texting or using…
Continue reading ›If you are a party to a divorce case in Oakland County, and you have minor children, you will receive notice of your Early Intervention Conference (EIC). The EIC is the first hearing held on divorce cases involving minor children. The EIC is held at the Friend of the Court 56 days after the filing…
Continue reading ›The Michigan No-Fault law provides in pertinent part: An insurer providing personal protection insurance benefits shall offer, at appropriately reduced premium rates, deductibles and exclusions, reasonably related to other health and accident coverage on the insured. Case law supports that there was no intent by the Legislature when it mandated that no-fault carriers make available…
Continue reading ›The Medical Marijuana Act states that a person shall not be denied custody or visitation of a minor for acting in accordance with the act, unless the person’s behavior is such that it creates an unreasonable danger to the minor that can be clearly articulated and substantiated. MCL 333.26424(c). Thus, if you have concerns that…
Continue reading ›On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court held that same sex couples have a fundamental right to marry as guaranteed by both the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Obergefell v. Hodges, 135 S. Ct. 2584; 192 L. Ed. 2d 609 (2015).…
Continue reading ›Pursuant to MCR 3.206(C)(2), there are two independent bases for awarding attorney fees and expenses.1.) The first is based upon a party’s need to prosecute or defend a claim and the other party has the ability to pay or contribute, and 2.) The second is based on a party’s behavior without reference to need or…
Continue reading ›Michigan Vietnam Veterans that were exposed to Agent Orange may now have the ability to file for benefits. The Department of Veteran’s Affairs recently expanded its list of ships that were subject to Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam era. This is good news to Navy Veterans that were denied benefits in the past.Attached is…
Continue reading ›
