Wright Beamer

10/15/2026

A seat at the table can mean more than sharing a meal.

Tonight, CARES in Farmington Hills kicks off its annual Season of Giving, helping address food insecurity across Farmington, Farmington Hills, and neighboring communities. With growing demand at its food pantry, this work is especially important heading into the winter months.

Through January, community members can help CARES make sure our neighbors have a seat at the table and a full plate in front of them.

10/13/2026

A lifetime of memories can fill a house. But when it comes time to sort through a loved one's belongings, even the most meaningful items can raise an unexpected question: What happens to everything that's left behind?

Family photographs, holiday decorations, furniture, and heirlooms may carry years of memories, but that doesn't always mean the next generation has the space or ability to keep them all. And deciding what to pass along, donate, or sell can become another challenge for families settling an estate.

Estate planning often focuses on major assets and who will inherit them, but personal belongings deserve some thought, too. A few conversations now about what matters most, who might want certain items, and what should happen to the rest can help loved ones navigate those decisions later.

Because planning for the future isn't just about what we leave behind. It's also about making things a little easier for the people who will carry those decisions forward.

10/08/2026

Good ideas need the resources to grow.

For more than 30 years, the Farmington & Farmington Hills Foundation for Youth & Families has helped local organizations bring programs to life for youth and families in our community.

With the foundation’s next grant application deadline coming up on October 15, it’s a good time for local organizations to explore the opportunity and see what might be possible.

10/06/2026

Just because an estate-planning strategy is legal doesn't mean the story ends there.

A recent IRS case involving a sophisticated trust strategy is a good reminder that how a plan is structured and carried out can matter just as much as the strategy itself.

The documents, asset valuations, administration, and recordkeeping all have a role to play. And while most families aren't dealing with the kind of complex trusts at issue in this case, the underlying lesson is much broader: good estate planning isn't just about choosing the right tool. It's about making sure the plan actually works the way it was intended.

10/01/2026

Congratulations to Dirk Beamer and Evan Chall on their selection to the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America list!

Dirk was recognized for his work in Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Employment Law-Management, and Litigation-Labor and Employment. Evan was recognized for Commercial Litigation.

Well deserved attention for the experience and hard work of two brilliant attorneys!

09/29/2026

A growing business is usually a good thing.

But growth has a way of exposing things that worked just fine when the company was smaller, including ownership documents that haven't kept pace with the business.

What made sense a few years ago may not reflect how the company operates today.

Sometimes, what's next starts with looking at what you already have.

09/24/2026

🎭 A new season of live theater begins this week! More in this week’s Things to Know featuring The Farmington Players Barn Theater.

It’s almost time for the lights to go down and the curtain to go up at the Farmington Players! The Players’ 2026–27 season opens tomorrow night, kicking off another year of live theater at the Farmington Players Barn. This season’s lineup includes The Haunting of Hill House, Little Women and...

09/22/2026

✔️ Interested in getting involved in Michigan elections beyond casting your ballot? There are several ways to participate, and each role has its own responsibilities and requirements. Read this week's Now You Know It by LeClair L. (Lee) Flaherty to see which role might be right for you.

Have you ever considered serving as an election worker or volunteer? Doing so is less intimidating than you might think, and in Michigan there are a few important roles for you to consider: Election Inspector: Election inspectors (sometimes called poll workers) are hired, trained, and paid by local....

09/15/2026

Fitness-for-duty requirements can raise important ADA considerations for employers.

A recent EEOC settlement highlights why medical questionnaires, physical tests, and return-to-work requirements should be evaluated carefully and individually.

Read this week's Now You Know It by Evan Chall for a closer look at what employers should consider when using fitness-for-duty measures.

Last month, a soft drink company settled a complaint brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleging disability discrimination in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The complaint claimed that the company impermissibly required an employee with multiple scl...