Metro Detroit Property Law. Decisive. Experienced.Metro Detroit Property Law.
Decisive. Experienced.
Makowski Legal brings 25 years of Michigan courtroom experience to property transactions, title work, boundary disputes, and landlord enforcement, acting decisively to protect your property rights.
Michigan Property Law for Landlords and Private Transactions
Michigan property owners face a consistent challenge: the moment something goes wrong, a non-paying tenant, a lease dispute, a private sale gone sideways, the paperwork that should have been in place is not.
Makowski Legal handles both sides of property law: the landlord-tenant matters that require precision and documentation, and the private real estate transactions that most buyers and sellers attempt without an attorney and regret. The firm represents landlords only on tenant matters, not tenants.
Every engagement begins with documentation: leases built to hold up in District Court, notices issued correctly the first time, and evidence protocols that create a clean record before a dispute reaches a judge.
Comprehensive Legal Support for Landlords and Real Estate OwnersComprehensive Legal Support for
Landlords and Real Estate Owners
Our firm specializes in landlord-tenant matters and real estate transactions with tailored, results-driven legal strategies.
Landlord-Tenant Matters
Lease Drafting: Residential and Commercial. We create clear, enforceable lease agreements for both residential and commercial properties that protect your interests and minimize future disputes. Our team ensures clauses are legally sound, covering everything from security deposits to maintenance responsibilities.
Eviction Proceedings: 7-Day Notice to Quit. A properly issued 7-day notice to quit is a crucial first step in removing a tenant for non-payment of rent. We guide you through the legal process to ensure compliance with state law and increase the likelihood of a successful eviction.
Eviction Proceedings: 30-Day Termination of Tenancy. For tenants who violate lease terms or engage in disruptive behavior, a 30-day termination notice is often necessary. As a trusted landlord rights attorney, our legal team helps you draft and serve these notices correctly, avoiding delays and legal pitfalls.
Demand Letters. A well-crafted demand letter can often resolve disputes before they escalate to court. We prepare professional, legally sound letters to address issues like unpaid rent, property damage, or lease violations, giving tenants a clear opportunity to comply.
Property Damage Claims. When tenants cause damage to your property, it's essential to document and address the issue promptly. We assist landlords in filing claims, negotiating repairs, and recovering costs through legal channels when necessary.
Evidence Documentation Advisory. Proper documentation is key in landlord-tenant disputes. Our attorneys advise on how to collect, preserve, and present evidence effectively, ensuring you're well-prepared for any legal action or mediation.
Real Estate Transactions
Private Purchase Agreements. Whether buying or selling a home, a well-drafted private purchase agreement is essential. We help structure these agreements to protect your interests, define terms clearly, and ensure a smooth transaction.
Deed Preparation and Property Transfers. A seamless transfer of property ownership requires precise legal documentation. Our real estate lawyers handle deed preparation, ensuring all transfers are legally valid and properly recorded in Wayne County.
Private Home Sale Documentation. Selling a home involves a complex set of legal documents. We assist with the preparation and review of all necessary paperwork, ensuring compliance with local laws and protecting your rights throughout the sale.
Real Estate Transaction Advisory. From negotiations to closing, our real estate lawyers provide strategic guidance to help you navigate every step of the transaction. We ensure you understand your rights and obligations and make informed decisions.
All eviction and tenancy matters are handled for the property owner and landlord only.
Why Property Owners Trust Makowski Legal
Makowski Legal has spent decades representing landlords and property owners in Michigan's state courts, handling thousands of landlord-tenant disputes, eviction proceedings, and real estate transactions across the state. Our firm has stood in courtrooms from Detroit to Grand Rapids, Lansing to Traverse City, and we've seen the consequences when landlords attempt to navigate complex legal processes without experienced counsel. Landlords who skip proper documentation, misapply lease terms, or file eviction notices without strict compliance often face lost cases, delayed possession, or outright dismissal on technical grounds, all of which cost time, money, and control over their property.
We approach every case and transaction with precision, starting from the first lease agreement through to eviction or closing. Our attorneys build court-ready documentation from day one, ensuring every clause, notice, and filing meets current statutory requirements and holds up under judicial scrutiny. Whether it's a rent default, a lease violation, or a private sale, we prepare as though the matter will be decided tomorrow in a judge's courtroom, because in real estate law, it might.
Makowski Legal is the practical, decisive choice for Michigan property owners who demand reliability and results. We protect your rights, your assets, and your bottom line with proven strategies grounded in deep state-specific experience. When you need your property law issues resolved correctly and efficiently, we are the firm built for that purpose.
The Michigan Eviction Process: Step by Step
Michigan landlord-tenant law sets specific timelines and procedures for eviction. A single misstep, wrong notice form, improper service, missing documentation, resets the clock. Here is how a properly executed non-payment eviction proceeds.
Issue 7-Day Notice to Quit
Written notice served on the tenant (personal service or posting and mailing). Tenant has 7 days to pay or vacate.
Day 1Wait the Notice Period
The 7-day clock runs from proper service. Premature filing is grounds for dismissal.
Days 1 to 7File with Michigan District Court
File a Complaint for Summary Possession in the District Court for the county where the property is located.
Day 8+Court Hearing
Both parties appear. The judge reviews the notice, service documentation, and evidence. Proper documentation wins. Missing it loses.
10 to 14 days after filingJudgment for Possession
If the landlord prevails, the court enters a Judgment for Possession. Tenant has a brief period to appeal.
Same day as hearingWrit of Eviction and Sheriff Removal
If the tenant does not vacate voluntarily, a Writ of Eviction is issued and the county Sheriff executes the removal.
7 to 10 days after judgmentWhy Landlords Lose at the District Court Hearing
Michigan District Court judges see the same landlord errors repeatedly.
Most are preventable. Our attorneys have seen every one of these over 25 years of Michigan landlord-tenant practice.
Wrong Notice Form
Michigan requires specific notice language. A 7-Day Notice to Quit for non-payment is different from a 30-Day Notice for termination of tenancy. Using the wrong one results in automatic dismissal.
Improper Service
The notice must be served correctly: personal delivery or a specific posting-and-mailing procedure. Service on the wrong person or at the wrong address voids the notice.
No Written Lease
Month-to-month oral leases create ambiguity about rent amount, payment date, and terms. Judges cannot enforce what is not documented.
Missing Evidence
Showing up to court without rent ledgers, payment history, move-in photos, and written communications is showing up to lose.
Unilateral Security Deposit Deductions
Michigan's Security Deposit Act requires specific timelines and documentation for deductions. Failure to follow them can result in the landlord owing the tenant double the deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Michigan property owners need to know
The timeline depends on the type of eviction. A non-payment case starts with a 7-Day Notice to Quit. If the tenant does not pay or leave, the landlord may file in District Court after the notice period. A hearing is typically scheduled within 10 to 14 days. If judgment is granted, the sheriff executes the eviction within 7 to 10 days. Termination of tenancy cases begin with a 30-Day Notice, followed by the same court process. Landlords who proceed without legal guidance often delay the process or lose due to technical errors.
A 7-Day Notice to Quit is the legally required first step in a non-payment eviction. It gives the tenant seven days to pay all overdue rent or vacate the property. If they do neither, the landlord may file for summary possession. The notice must be correctly served and fully documented. Improper service is one of the most frequent reasons cases fail at the initial hearing.
While Michigan does not legally require an attorney for residential real estate sales, the risks of proceeding without one are high. Private sales often lack a written purchase agreement, title review, deed preparation, or clear transaction records. Under the Statute of Frauds, real estate contracts must be in writing to be enforceable. Makowski Legal prepares the necessary documents to protect both parties and ensure the transfer is legally binding, serving as a trusted residential real estate lawyer for clients across Metro Detroit.
A demand for possession is defective if it lacks required legal elements, such as the correct property address, tenant name, basis for eviction, or proper notice period. It must also be served using a method recognized by Michigan law, such as personal delivery or certified mail with return receipt. If any element is missing or inaccurate, the court will dismiss the case. Our firm ensures every demand complies with state statutes to avoid unnecessary delays.
A notice after lease violation informs the tenant they have breached a term of the lease and must correct the issue or vacate. Common violations include unauthorized pets, illegal activity, or excessive noise. The notice should specify the violation, cite the lease clause, and allow a reasonable time to cure, unless the lease states otherwise. Using the right notice type and timeline is critical. Our attorneys draft and serve these notices correctly the first time.
Yes, you need a lawyer to review a purchase agreement before you sign it. These contracts contain binding terms on financing, contingencies, closing dates, and penalties. A small error can lead to financial loss or legal disputes. Makowski Legal acts as a purchase agreement review lawyer to identify risks, clarify obligations, and protect your interests before the deal becomes enforceable.
A quitclaim deed transfers whatever interest the grantor has in a property, without guaranteeing clear title. It is commonly used in name changes, divorce settlements, or transfers between family members. It does not remove mortgage liability. For sales or refinancing, a warranty deed is typically required. Our firm prepares and files quitclaim deeds correctly to ensure valid transfer, serving Wayne County property owners as a trusted deed transfer lawyer.
No, Makowski Legal represents landlords only. We focus exclusively on landlord-side matters, including evictions, lease enforcement, compliance, and property protection. We do not represent tenants in any capacity. This specialization allows us to provide focused, effective representation tailored to property owners across Michigan. Our attorneys serve as a trusted landlord rights attorney for clients statewide.