Throughout Michigan, clients entrust Ricks & Associates, PLLC with their biggest investments – our focus in every transaction is too reduce legal risks and financial exposure.

Listed below are the matters that we handle in real estate law:

• drafting conveyance documents

• residential purchases and refinances

• land contracts

• commercial purchases and refinances

• landlord-tenant

• quiet title actions

• partition actions

• deed disputes

• title disputes

• all types of real estate litigation

• property tax issues

• foreclosure

• lien law

What happens when a loved one dies without making final provisions to convey property?

At some point, heirs will be compelled to file a probate action in order to legally dispose or distribute assets.

Probate can be a frustrating experience, and our goal is to educate and facilitate this process.

We provide quality representation in probate matters across the State of Michigan.

In addition to providing top legal representation, we offer educational and preparation of Estate Planning documents through our non-profit arm Corporate Development Institute.

We prevent and resolve problems related to contractual issues. Creating a good and viable contract between parties is of paramount importance. There is an old adage in business: “pay now or pay later.” This is never more true than when it comes to generating a contract. A written contract is most often the foundation for all business relationships.

The elements that must be established to demonstrate the formation of a legally binding contract are (1) offer; (2) acceptance; (3) consideration; (4) mutuality of obligation; (5) competency and capacity; and, in most circumstances, (6) a written instrument.

Contract law and legal theory have developed over the centuries and thousands upon thousands of cases center around the six elements listed above. The contract attorney’s job is to create contractual provisions that protect their client’s interests not only for when business relationships are good between parties, but more importantly, if and when these relationships deteriorate.

Operating a business is not easy. Business owners have to regularly deal with issues as mundane or as complicated as: choice of business entity; business tax consequences; organizational documents; operating agreements; partnership agreements; employment contracts; consulting contracts; non-compete agreements; compliance with bank and consumer protection laws; commercial negotiations; and any resolution of stockholder/partner/LLC disputes. This is not an exhaustive list. Whether you own a business or are opening a business, you owe it to yourself to have Attorney Urenia Ricks-Johnson to effectively address your concerns.

We provide business counseling, transactional and litigation defense services, including pro bono representation when appropriate.

The firm’s nonprofit clients include foundations; religious organizations; municipal organizations; private and public associations; community groups; schools; conservation and real estate development organizations, among others.

Like for-profit entities, the firm’s nonprofit clients require assistance with business, commercial issues, as well as special tax, funding, corporate and specific issues related to their charitable activities.

Bankruptcy is not a recent legal way or excuse from paying creditors. The first bankruptcy laws were enacted in ancient Rome and debt relief is mentioned in the Bible. It is a hallmark of a civilized society to recognize that individuals often get into difficult financial situations from which there is no escape. The loss of a job, a divorce and medical issues are probably the most common reasons people file bankruptcy. At Ricks & Associates, PLLC, we will advise and guide you the process from beginning to end.

We also offer financial assistance in lieu of Bankruptcy filing and help with means of recovery after filing and receiving Bankruptcy relief.