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According to a recent (1-27-2017) opinion of the US Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit (D.O.; A.O.;R.O. v Glisson, Sec. Cabinet for Health and Family Services, ___US____, No.16-5461 (6th Circuit 2017), reversing a district court’s decision, the Federal Child Welfare Act creates a private right to foster-care maintenance payments enforceable by a foster parent under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1983.

The Michigan Court of Appeals, in its decision (Hrapkiewiczv WSU Bd of Directors, No, 328215, 330189) affirming two lower court judgments granting money damages and attorney fees in an age discrimination case under the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA. MCL 37.2101), reviews the elements needed to prove an age discrimination case. The dissent by Hon. Debra A. Servitto argues that because age was not discussed by the decision-makers, there was no prima facie case and the lower court decision should be reversed.

Buck was convicted of capital murder for killing his ex-girlfriend and her friend in 1995. At the time, Texas law required a jury to find beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant was likely to commit future acts of violence that made him a continuing danger to society before imposing the death penalty.

The Michigan Court of Appeals has held that unpaid discovery sanctions imposed against a party prior to the case evaluation hearing are still enforceable despite the parties’ acceptance of the case evaluation award. Brown v Farm Bureau Ins, unpublished opinion per curiam of the Court of Appeals, issued March 28, 2018 (Docket 331893).

Michigan Probate and Estate Planning Journal

The March 2017 Michigan Family Law Journal