Michigan Supreme Court

Thomas Haan v. Lake Doster Lake Association

June 11, 2021

Summary

The Michigan Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals and reinstated summary disposition for the Lake Doster Lake Association. It held that oral approvals for dock installation created, at most, revocable licenses because no written conveyance established an easement, and that the membership agreement's promise to continue "past permitted rights" did not create a permanent property interest. The court also rejected reliance-based theories of irrevibility and estoppel for the alleged dock rights.