Bill > HB4613

This bill updates a 1927 law regarding joint ownership of personal property by spouses, modernizing the language to be gender-neutral and more inclusive. Specifically, the bill revises existing legislation to replace gendered terms like "husband and wife" with the more neutral term "spouses" throughout the text. The bill applies to various financial instruments such as bonds, stock certificates, mortgages, promissory notes, and other evidences of indebtedness. Under the revised law, these financial instruments will be automatically held in joint tenancy by spouses, with full right of ownership by survivorship, unless the specific document expressly states otherwise. The bill is tied to a constitutional amendment (either Senate Joint Resolution or House Joint Resolution F) and will only take effect if that amendment becomes part of Michigan's state constitution. This change ensures that the law reflects modern understanding of spousal relationships and provides equal property rights regardless of gender.

Government Affairs

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4613