Opinion
SC: 153980 SC: 153981
09-29-2017
In re Estate of JAMES ERWIN, SR. BEATRICE KING, Individually and as Personal Representative for the Estate of JAMES ERWIN, SR., Appellant, v. JACQUELINE E. NASH, BILLY J. ERWIN, DEMARKIUS ERWIN, MAGGIE ERWIN, and STACY ERWIN OAKES, Appellees. In re Estate of JAMES ERWIN, SR. BEATRICE KING, Appellant, v. JACQUELINE E. NASH, BILLY J. ERWIN, DEMARKIUS ERWIN, MAGGIE ERWIN, STACY ERWIN OAKES, and DOUGLAS TAYLOR, Appellees.
Order
153980-1 Stephen J. Markman, Chief Justice Brian K. Zahra Bridget M. McCormack David F. Viviano Richard H. Bernstein Joan L. Larsen Kurtis T. Wilder, Justices COA: 323387
Saginaw PC: 13-130558-DE COA: 329264
Saginaw PC: 13-130558-DE
On order of the Court, the application for leave to appeal the May 10, 2016 judgment of the Court of Appeals is considered, and it is GRANTED. The parties shall address: (1) whether the "willfully absent" provision in MCL 700.2801(2)(e)(i) is defined exclusively by physical separation, or whether it includes consideration of the emotional bonds and connections between spouses, compare In re Estate of Erwin, unpublished opinion per curiam of the Court of Appeals, issued May 10, 2016 (Docket Nos. 323387, 329264), at 5, with In re Peterson Estate, 315 Mich App 423, 432 (2016); and (2) whether MCL 700.2801(2)(e)(i) requires proof that a spouse intends to abandon his or her marital rights, compare Matter of Estate of Harris, 151 Mich App 780, 786 (1986), with In re Peterson Estate, 315 Mich App at 433.
The time allowed for oral argument shall be 20 minutes for each side. MCR 7.314(B)(1).
Persons or groups interested in the determination of the issues presented in this case may move the Court for permission to file briefs amicus curiae.
I, Larry S. Royster, Clerk of the Michigan Supreme Court, certify that the foregoing is a true and complete copy of the order entered at the direction of the Court.
September 29, 2017
/s/_________
Clerk