Articles

Nonprofits and the Corporate Transparency Act - Who Needs to File?

Corporate Transparency Act in 2021. Nonprofits may need to file, unless they have a letter from the IRS confirming they are tax-exempt.
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Do I Need a Will?

Do I need a will? For almost everyone, the answer is yes. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be complicated – or expensive! A will basically lays out who will receive your assets when you die. If you don’t have a will, Michigan law decides wh…
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How to Start a New Nonprofit Organization in Michigan

You want to create a brand-new nonprofit in Michigan. Where do you start? The first thing to do for most organizations is incorporate. In other words, become a Michigan Nonprofit Corporation. To do that you will need to file Articles of Incorporation…
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Getting Information About Michigan Charities

If you are asked to donate to a charity in Michigan, how do you make sure it is legitimate? How do you know it does good work? The best way of course, is to give to a nonprofit that you know, from personal experience. But sometimes you will receive s…
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1023-EZ Problems - and How to Avoid Them!

There is a lot to like about IRS form 1023-EZ! It is only three pages long, it asks for minimal information, and it can be filed online. What’s more, the filing fee is only $275, and the application is usually approved within a month or so. This qu…
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Annual To-Do List for Nonprofits

At the end of the year, with all the busyness of year-end fundraising, not to mention preparing for the holidays, some important tasks can be overlooked. This is a check list of some of the most critical items for every nonprofit organization to reme…
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Patient Advocate Designation

This is a legal document by which you appoint another trusted individual or individuals to make decisions regarding your care, custody, and medical treatment during any period in which you are unable to make those decisions yourself, due to your ment…
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Durable Power of Attorney

A durable power of attorney allows someone that you select (your “agent” or “attorney-in-fact”) to manage all or some of your financial affairs when you are unable to do so. It is called a “durable” power of attorn…
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Revocable Trust

A revocable trust is a legal entity that you establish during your lifetime to hold some or all of your property. It is particularly valuable for people who need help, or may need help at some point in the future, in managing their own financial affa…
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Wills

A will is essentially a set of instructions to the Probate Court regarding who you want to receive your property, and when they should receive it. It also allows you to specify gifts to individuals and charities, and to state who you want to oversee…
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