SUE H APSEY V MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Annotate this Case
Download PDF
STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
SUE H. APSEY and ROBERT APSEY, JR.,
FOR PUBLICATION
June 9, 2005
9:05 a.m.
Plaintiffs-Appellants,
v
MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, d/b/a MEMORIAL
HEALTHCARE CENTER, RUSSELL H. TOBE,
D.O., JAMES H. DEERING, D.O., and JAMES H.
DEERING, D.O., P.C., d/b/a SHIAWASSEE
RADIOLOGY CONSULTANTS, P.C.,
Defendants-Appellees.
No. 251110
Shiawassee Circuit Court
LC No. 01-007289-NH
ON RECONSIDERATION
Official Reported Version
Before: Cavanagh, P.J., and Jansen and Gage, JJ.
JANSEN, J.
Plaintiffs, Sue H. Apsey and Robert Apsey, Jr., appeal as of right a circuit court order
granting summary disposition for defendants, Memorial Hospital, doing business in Owosso as
Memorial Healthcare Center; two of its practitioners, doctors Russell H. Tobe and James H.
Deering; and the business entities under which they practice. We reverse and remand for further
proceedings.
Plaintiffs commenced this action in November 2001, stating that Sue Apsey was admitted
to Memorial Healthcare Center for an "exploratory laparotomy," which resulted in the removal
of a large ovarian cyst. Various complications followed. Plaintiffs allege that misdiagnoses and
errant reporting attendant to those complications caused Sue Apsey to become "septic," requiring
several follow-up surgeries.
Plaintiffs' affidavit of merit was prepared in Pennsylvania, using a notary public of that
state. A normal notarial seal appears on the document, and it is not disputed that plaintiffs
initially provided no special certification to authenticate the credentials of the out-of-state notary
public. Instead, plaintiffs provided that certification after the period of limitations had run on
their cause of action. Defendants moved in the trial court for summary disposition with regard to
plaintiffs' medical malpractice claims, citing MCL 600.2912d and 600.2102. In granting the
motions, the court reasoned that the failure to provide the special certification was fatal to the
-1-
notarization and, thus, that the affidavit itself was a nullity, rendering plaintiffs' complaint
invalid.
At issue in this appeal is whether MCL 565.262, the general statute concerning notarial
acts, governs affidavits of merit in medical malpractice cases, or whether the more demanding
requirements of MCL 600.2102 apply. Plaintiffs contend that the trial court erred by granting
defendants' motions for summary disposition and holding that an out-of-state affidavit of merit in
a medical malpractice case not only must be notarized, but also must be accompanied by a
certificate setting forth the notary's authority.
This Court reviews de novo a trial court's decision on a motion for summary disposition
as a question of law. Dressel v Ameribank, 468 Mich 557, 561; 664 NW2d 151 (2003); Ardt v
Titan Ins Co, 233 Mich App 685, 688; 593 NW2d 215 (1999). Statutory interpretation likewise
presents a question of law, calling for review de novo. Eggleston v Bio-Medical Applications of
Detroit, Inc, 468 Mich 29, 32; 658 NW2d 139 (2003); Haworth, Inc v Wickes Mfg Co, 210 Mich
App 222, 227; 532 NW2d 903 (1995).
MCL 600.2912d(1) provides, in part:
[T]he plaintiff in an action alleging medical malpractice or, if the plaintiff
is represented by an attorney, the plaintiff 's attorney shall file with the complaint
an affidavit of merit signed by a health professional who the plaintiff 's attorney
reasonably believes meets the requirements for an expert witness. . . . The
affidavit of merit shall certify that the health professional has reviewed the notice
and all medical records supplied to him or her by the plaintiff 's attorney
concerning the allegations contained in the notice . . . .
Subsections 1(a) through (d) set forth the particulars to which the expert must attest. An
affidavit for these purposes must be "confirmed by the oath or affirmation of the party making it,
taken before a person having authority to administer such oath or affirmation." Holmes v
Michigan Capital Med Ctr, 242 Mich App 703, 711; 620 NW2d 319 (2000). In the medical
malpractice context, a valid affidavit of merit must be filed with the complaint in order to
commence an action and to toll the period of limitations. Scarsella v Pollak, 461 Mich 547, 552553; 607 NW2d 711 (2000).
In this case, neither the need for an affidavit of merit nor the requirement that one be
notarized is in dispute. The controversy, instead, concerns what constitutes a valid out-of-state
notarization.
In 1924, our Supreme Court reiterated the legislative requirement that, if an affidavit
submitted to a court is authenticated by an out-of-state notary public, in order for the court to
consider the affidavit, the signature of the sister-state notary public must be certified by the clerk
of the court of record in the county in which the affidavit was executed. In re Alston's Estate,
229 Mich 478, 480-482; 201 NW 460 (1924). Similarly, MCL 600.2102, effective in 1963,
states that "where by law the affidavit of any person residing in another state . . . is required, or
-2-
may be received in judicial proceedings in this state, to entitle the same to be read, it must be
authenticated . . . ." MCL 600.2102(4) specifies that an affidavit taken in a sister state
may be taken before . . . any notary public . . . authorized by the laws of
such state to administer oaths therein. The signature of such notary public
. . . shall be certified by the clerk of any court of record in the county
where such affidavit shall be taken, under the seal of said court.
This language closely mirrors that which was construed by our Supreme Court in In re Alston's
Estate, supra at 481; see also Wallace v Wallace, 23 Mich App 741, 744-745; 179 NW2d 699
(1970).
Effective in 1970, Michigan adopted the Uniform Recognition of Acknowledgements Act
(URAA), MCL 565.261 et seq. "Notarial acts" are defined as "acts that the laws of this state
authorize notaries public of this state to perform, including . . . taking proof of execution and
acknowledgements of instruments, and attesting documents." MCL 565.262(a). The URAA
provides that notarial acts performed in a sister state may function in this state as if performed by
a Michigan notary public if performed by "[a] notary public authorized to perform notarial acts
in the place in which the act is performed." MCL 565.262(a)(i). MCL 565.263(1) of the URAA
provides:
If the notarial act is performed by any of the persons described in
subdivisions (a) to (d) [sic] of section 2, other than a person authorized to perform
notarial acts by the laws or regulations of a foreign country, the signature, rank or
title and serial number, if any, of the person are sufficient proof of the authority of
a holder of that rank or title to perform the act. Further proof of his authority is
not required.
MCL 565.263(4) states that "[t]he signature and title of the person performing the act are prima
facie evidence that he is a person with the designated title and that the signature is genuine."
If the present inquiry were to be decided on the basis of the URAA, the notarization of
the affidavit in question would indisputably be valid. Plaintiffs' affidavit of merit bears the
signature and notary seal of a Pennsylvania notary public. That status in another state carries
over to this state, and the signature and the title are prima facie evidence of authenticity, MCL
565.263(4). But the signature and the notary seal do not satisfy the requirements set forth in
MCL 600.2102(4). The question, then, is whether MCL 565.262 affects MCL 600.2102, and, if
so, in what manner.
When this issue was initially raised before the trial court, only the applicability of MCL
600.2102 was argued. The court recognized the inflexibility of that statute and decided to grant
summary disposition. In a subsequent hearing that the court treated as a motion for
reconsideration, plaintiffs argued that MCL 565.262 should apply to the exclusion of MCL
600.2102. The court was not persuaded, and, without elaboration, stated that arguments
concerning MCL 565.262 would not have changed its earlier decision.
-3-
Defendant Deering argues that the specific mention of affidavits in MCL 600.2102
indicates greater legislative specificity than the general mention of notarial acts in MCL 565.262.
However, the general language of the latter is obviously a consequence of the statute covering
acts performed in some cases by persons other than notaries public and coverage of notarial acts
performed on documents other than affidavits. The primary purpose of statutory interpretation is
to ascertain and give effect to the intent of the Legislature. Haworth, supra at 227. Notaries
public, either in-state or out-of-state, are expressly mentioned in MCL 565.262(a), along with the
function of "attesting documents." Affidavits, and the role of the notary public in executing
them, are obviously envisioned.
Both plaintiffs and defendants raise issues regarding the placement of the statutes. "[T]he
meaning of the Legislature is to be found in the terms and arrangement of the statute without
straining or refinement, and the expressions used are to be taken in their natural and ordinary
sense." Gross v Gen Motors Corp, 448 Mich 147, 160; 528 NW2d 707 (1995) (emphasis
added). It is well, then, to note the structural placement of the two statutory schemes.
The URAA appears among statutes governing conveyances of real property. The
emphasis, then, is not on documents submitted to Michigan courts, but on documents that have
potentially great legal significance in other contexts, e.g., memorializing agreements or
recording conveyances and interests. However, contrary to defendants' contentions, we find that
the URAA and its requirements are not limited to conveyances of real property.
MCL 600.2102 appears within the Revised Judicature Act, MCL 600.101 et seq., and
retains its predecessor's language concerning affidavits "received in judicial proceedings," which
our Supreme Court construed as strictly requiring that special certification accompany
notarizations by out-of-state notaries public. In re Alston's Estate, supra at 481-482. Plaintiffs
point out that this statute is sandwiched between provisions governing evidence and argue that it
thus applies only when the affidavit in question is to be read into evidence. However, the statute
itself sets forth what is required for a sister-state affidavit "to be read," not "to be read
specifically into evidence." The Legislature is presumed to have intended the meaning it plainly
expressed, Pohutski v City of Allen Park, 465 Mich 675, 683; 641 NW2d 219 (2002). "Read" for
this purpose means acknowledged and considered by the court, not necessarily read into
evidence. See Berkery v Wayne Circuit Judge, 82 Mich 160, 167-168; 46 NW 436 (1890).
Thus, neither the provisions of the URAA, in particular MCL 565.262 and MCL 565.263,
nor MCL 600.2102 are rendered inapplicable on the basis of structural placement. These statutes
relate to authentication and share the common purpose of requiring verification for the
authenticity of out-of-state notarial acts. As such, the statutes are in pari materia. Statutes that
relate to the same subject or share a common purpose are in pari materia and must be read
together as one law, even if each contains no reference to the other and they were enacted on
different dates. State Treasurer v Schuster, 456 Mich 408, 417; 572 NW2d 628 (1998);
Houghton Lake Area Tourism & Convention Bureau v Wood, 255 Mich App 127; 146; 662
NW2d 758 (2003). And, statutes that have a common purpose should be read to harmonize with
each other in furtherance of that purpose. Jennings v Southwood, 446 Mich 125, 136-137; 521
NW2d 230 (1994); Antrim Co Treasurer v Dep't of Treasury, 263 Mich App 474, 481; 688
NW2d 840 (2004). If two statutes lend themselves to a construction that avoids conflict, that
-4-
construction should control. House Speaker v State Administrative Bd, 441 Mich 547, 568-569;
495 NW2d 539 (1993); Travelers Ins v U-Haul of Michigan, Inc, 235 Mich App 273, 280; 597
NW2d 235 (1999). "Where a specific statutory provision differs from a related general one, the
specific one controls." Antrim, supra at 484, citing Gebhardt v O'Rourke, 444 Mich 535, 542543; 510 NW2d 900 (1994).
The two statutes can be harmonized. The URAA provides in pertinent part, "Nothing in
this act diminishes or invalidates the recognition accorded to notarial acts by other laws of this
state." MCL 565.268. The Legislature is charged with knowledge of existing laws on the same
subject and is presumed to have considered the effect of new laws on all existing laws. Walen v
Dep't of Corrections, 443 Mich 240, 248; 505 NW2d 519 (1993); Kalamazoo v KTS Industries,
Inc, 263 Mich App 23, 34; 687 NW2d 319 (2004). MCL 600.2102 is a law of this state that
requires more specific recognition requirements for notarial acts authenticating an affidavit of a
person residing in another state that is received in judicial proceedings; i.e., it requires that the
signature of a notary public on an affidavit taken out of state "be certified by the clerk of any
court of record in the county where such affidavit shall be taken, under seal of said court." As
such, the URAA, enacted after MCL 600.2102, does not diminish or invalidate the more specific
and more formal requirements of MCL 600.2102. Furthermore, this harmonious application of
the URAA and MCL 600.2102 avoids conflict. See House Speaker, supra at 568-569; Travelers
Ins, supra at 280.
For these reasons, we find that the more specific requirements of MCL 600.2102 of the
Revised Judicature Act control over the general requirements of MCL 565.262 of the URAA.
See Antrim, supra at 484, citing Gebhardt, supra at 542-543. In other words, MCL 565.262
governs notarial acts, including the execution of affidavits, in general, to which MCL 600.2102
adds a special certification requirement when the affidavit is to be read, meaning officially
received and considered, by the judiciary.1 This special certification requirement of MCL
600.2102 is not diminished or invalidated by the subsequently enacted URAA. See MCL
565.268. Instead, MCL 565.268 allows for the statutes to be harmonized. As such, the special
certification is a necessary part of an affidavit submitted to the court to meet the requirement of
MCL 600.2912d(1).2
1
After the enactment of the URAA, this Court, in Sellers v Goldapper, unpublished opinion per
curiam, issued November 4, 1997 (Docket No. 196914), found a defendant's affidavit showing a
meritorious defense to be a nullity under MCL 600.2102(4) for lack of certification of the
notary's signature when the defendant was a New York resident. We view this unpublished
opinion by a panel of this Court, requiring an affidavit from an New York resident to meet the
requirements of MCL 600.2102(4), as persuasive, because of the limited case law, but note that
unpublished opinions are not binding under the rules of stare decisis. MCR 7.215(C)(1); see also
Dyball v Lennox, 260 Mich App 698, 705 n 1; 680 NW2d 522 (2004).
2
We note that the dissent purports to harmonize MCL 600.2102 and the various provisions of
the URAA by rendering significant parts of MCL 600.2102(d) nugatory. In construing a statute,
(continued…)
-5-
Next, we must address the effect of plaintiffs' failure to properly authenticate the affidavit
of merit, which is a failure that technically rendered the affidavit of merit defective. In
Scarsella, the Supreme Court was faced with a complete failure to file an affidavit of merit. The
Court left for later decisional development the question of the appropriate legal response when a
"timely filed affidavit is inadequate or defective." Scarsella, supra at 553. Such decisional
development from this Court indicates that, "whether the adjective used is 'defective' or 'grossly
nonconforming' or 'inadequate,'" where a plaintiff 's affidavit failed to meet the applicable
statutory standards, it "was defective and did not constitute an effective affidavit," and therefore
failed to support a medical malpractice complaint for purposes of tolling the period of
limitations. Geralds v Munson Healthcare, 259 Mich App 225, 240; 673 NW2d 792 (2003).
See also VandenBerg v VandenBerg, 253 Mich App 658, 662; 660 NW2d 341 (2002) (unless a
plaintiff has moved for a statutorily provided extension, the plaintiff may not file a medical
malpractice complaint without an affidavit of merit, then cure that deficiency by filing the
affidavit after the period of limitations has run). Consequently, a belatedly filed certification of
(…continued)
a court should presume that every word has some meaning and should avoid any construction
that would render any part of a statute surplusage or nugatory Jenkins v Patel, 471 Mich 158,
167; 684 NW2d 346 (2004); Edgewood Development, Inc v Landskroener, 262 Mich App 162,
167; 684 NW2d 387 (2004). The dissent's interpretation basically makes the certification
requirement in MCL 600.2102(4) worthless or nugatory because by interpreting the URAA as an
additional method that can be used instead of using the MCL 600.2102, the certificate provision
is no longer required. Further, the dissent provides that the purpose of both statutes is "to verify
the authenticity of notarial acts, including those involving affidavits." Post at ___. As noted,
statutes that have a common purpose should be read to harmonize with each other in
"furtherance of that purpose." Antrim Co Treasurer, supra at 481. The dissent's attempt to
harmonize the statutes does not further a purpose of verifying the authenticity of a notarial act,
but, instead, limits the requirements for verifying the authenticity of an out-of-state notarial act.
When reading statutes to avoid conflict, the construction given should give effect to each without
repugnancy, overreaching, absurdity, or unreasonableness. Livonia Hotel, LLC v City of Livonia,
259 Mich App 116, 131; 673 NW2d 763 (2003). The dissent does not give effect to MCL
600.2102. To avoid conflict and harmonize the statutes, the dissent cites MCL 565.268, which
provides that the URAA is "an additional method of proving notarial acts." But the dissent
avoids citing the next sentence of the MCL 565.268, which provides, "Nothing in this act
diminishes or invalidates the recognition accorded to notarial acts by other laws of this state."
To accept our dissenting colleague's harmonizing of the statutes would clearly diminish the
requirements of MCL 600.2102. If two statutes lend themselves to a construction that avoids
conflict, that construction should control. House Speaker, supra at 568-569; Travelers Ins,
supra at 280. The only way to avoid conflict when reading the statutes together is to read MCL
600.2102 as requiring additional requirements for affidavits to be read by the court. This does
not conflict with the URAA because of MCL 565.268.
-6-
an out-of-state notary public would not cure the defect in an otherwise timely complaint and
affidavit.3
Because of the injustice and inequity that could result from our determination on this
issue of first impression, we will address whether the ramifications (a dismissal based on the
claims being time barred) of our interpretation should be applied retroactively or prospectively.
"'"The general rule is that judicial decisions are to be given complete retroactive effect . . . . "'"
Ousley v McLaren, 264 Mich App 486, 493; 691 NW2d 817 (2004), quoting Lincoln v Gen
Motors Corp, 461 Mich 483, 491; 607 NW2d 73 (2000), quoting Hyde v Univ of Michigan Bd of
Regents, 426 Mich 223, 240; 393 NW2d 847 (1986) (intermediate citation deleted).4 "'[A] more
flexible approach is warranted where injustice might result from full retroactivity.'" Gladych v
New Family Homes, Inc, 468 Mich 594, 606; 664 NW2d 705 (2003), quoting Pohutski, supra at
696, citing Lindsey v Harper Hosp, 455 Mich 56, 68; 564 NW2d 861 (1997). Complete
prospective application has been deemed appropriate for a decision that "decides an '"issue of
first impression whose resolution was not clearly foreshadowed."'" Lindsey, supra at 68, quoting
People v Phillips, 416 Mich 63, 68; 330 NW2d 366 (1982), quoting Chevron Oil Co v Huson,
404 US 97, 106; 92 S Ct 349; 30 L Ed 2d 296 (1971).
In essence, the question before this Court is an issue of first impression whose resolution,
because of the URAA, was not clearly foreshadowed. Our decision is based on a law, MCL
600.2102, requiring a special certification for out-of-state notarial acts, which law has been
overlooked by practitioners in medical malpractice cases or, more likely, practitioners have been
under the impression that the URAA, enacted subsequently to MCL 600.2102, was the
3
Our position is further supported by Lee v Putz, unpublished memorandum opinion and order
of the United States District Court, Western District of Michigan, issued December 10, 2003
(Docket No. 1:03-CV-267), pp 4-5, in which the district court, applying MCL 600.2102, found
in connection with an affidavit of merit notarized by an out-of-state notary that, "[b]ecause an
affidavit without the appropriate certification is null and void under Michigan law, Plaintiff has
failed to assert a claim that is cognizable in Michigan state courts." The court further found that
the plaintiff could not cure the defect because of the statute of limitations. We note that
defendant Deering appended this federal court holding to his brief; however, for reasons not
explained, the names of the parties, and the file number, have been redacted. But an unredacted
copy is attached to defendant Memorial Hospital's brief. We further note that, although not
binding, this case stands as a recent example in which MCL 600.2102 was held to impose a
certification requirement on out-of-state notaries public involved with affidavits of merit in
medical malpractice cases. See Sharp v City of Lansing, 464 Mich 792, 802-803; 629 NW2d
873 (2001).
4
Although full retroactivity is favored when a decision "does not announce a new principle of
law," Michigan Ed Employers Mut Ins Co v Morris, 460 Mich 180, 190; 596 NW2d 142 (1999),
neither our Supreme Court nor this Court has ever limited application to when new principles of
law are announced.
-7-
applicable statute and that special certification was not required. Plaintiffs' counsel raised a
concern at oral argument with regard to the significant effect this holding could have on medical
malpractice cases in Michigan because a majority of affidavits of merit for medical malpractice
cases come from out of state and practitioners have relied on the URAA validation requirements
for the out-of-state notarial acts. Amici curiae have also raised concerns regarding practitioners'
beliefs that the less restrictive URAA requirements for verification of notarial acts was sufficient
verification and regarding the significant effect this decision would have on medical malpractice
claims, which are in large part supported by affidavits of merit from out-of-state doctors.5
Apparently, there has been confusion in the legal community about whether the more relaxed
standards of the URAA applied. In light of the apparent reliance on the URAA by the legal
community, we believe that justice requires a prospective application. See Gladych, supra at
606. Retroactive application would result in the dismissal of a large number of otherwise
meritorious medical malpractice claims. Our Supreme Court has recognized that "resolution of
the retrospective-prospective issue ultimately turns on considerations of fairness and public
policy." Riley v Northland Geriatric Ctr (After Remand), 431 Mich 632, 644; 433 NW2d 787
(1988) (opinion by Griffin, J.). Fairness and public policy both support a prospective application
because serious injustices could result from a retroactive application and prospective application
of the ramifications for the failure to provide the MCL 600.2102(d) certification accomplishes a
"maximum of justice" under the presented circumstances. Lindsey, supra at 68.
In the present case, equity also supports a deviation from the strict compliance with the
statute of limitations because of understandable confusion regarding the applicable statute.
Bryant v Oakpointe Villa Nursing Ctr, Inc, 471 Mich 411, 432; 684 NW2d 864 (2004); Ward v
Rooney-Gandy, 265 Mich App 515, 522 n 4; 696 NW2d 64 (2005). In Bryant, supra at 432-433,
our Supreme Court, in discussing why a medical malpractice claim that would typically be time
barred should, instead, proceed, provided:
The equities of this case, however, compel a different result. The
distinction between actions sounding in medical malpractice and those sounding
in ordinary negligence is one that has troubled the bench and bar in Michigan . . .
. Plaintiff 's failure to comply with the applicable statute of limitations is the
product of an understandable confusion about the legal nature of her claim, rather
than a negligent failure to preserve her rights. . . .
* * *
5
The brief amicus curiae of the State Bar of Michigan asserts, "The vast majority of the
members of the State Bar of Michigan who have supplied out-of-state affidavits have supplied
uncertified affidavits in the belief that the plain language of the URAA would be given effect."
The brief amicus curiae on behalf of the State Bar of Michigan Negligence Section and Elder
Law Section asserts, "Attorneys in this State . . . . have read this URAA as obviating the need to
obtain formal certification of that authority . . . as required by MCL 600.2102, in order to present
a valid affidavit of merit to the court in compliance with MCL 600.2912d."
-8-
Plaintiff has stated two claims that require expert testimony and therefore
sound in medical malpractice. Although these claims were filed after the
applicable period of limitations had run and would ordinarily be time-barred, the
procedural features of this case dictate that plaintiff should be permitted to
proceed with her medical malpractice claims. . . .
Similarly, plaintiffs in the present case, apparently like a significant number of the bar of
Michigan, were under the impression that meeting the requirements of the URAA was sufficient
to verify an out-of-state notarial act on an affidavit of merit filed with the court to support a
medical malpractice claim.6 Dismissal of plaintiffs' complaint in the present case, as in Ward,
would be "fundamentally unfair and constitute[] an unjust technical forfeiture" of the cause of
action. Ward, supra at 523. The equities in this case dictate that we find plaintiffs' claims are
not time barred. But for the certification, plaintiffs' complaint would not have been dismissed.
A sound affidavit of merit exists, the only problem being the failure to certify as required by
MCL 600.2102(4) before the expiration of the period of limitations. The statutory purpose for
medical malpractice affidavits of merit is to deter frivolous medical malpractice claims. Dorris v
Detroit Osteopathic Hosp Corp, 460 Mich 26, 47; 594 NW2d 455 (1999). This purpose was
served in the present case as defendants were put on timely notice of the claims with an affidavit
of merit that met every requirement, except that the out-of-state notarial act had not been
properly certified. As in Bryant, the "procedural features of this case dictate that plaintiff[s]
should be permitted to proceed with [the] medical malpractice claims." Bryant, supra at 433.
Thus, the equities also weigh in favor of plaintiffs' action not being barred by the statute of
limitations.
For the above stated reasons, reversing the trial court's order granting defendants' motions
for summary disposition and allowing plaintiffs' claims to proceed best serve justice and equity.
Plaintiffs, in this case, have already presented the proper certification. With regard to all medical
malpractice cases pending in which plaintiffs are not in compliance with MCL 600.2102(4), on
the basis of justice and equity, plaintiffs can come into compliance by filing the proper
certification. Furthermore, justice and equity also dictate a strict application from the date of this
opinion. From the date of the issuance of this opinion, any affidavit of merit acknowledged by
an out-of-state notary filed without the proper certification will not toll the period of limitations
because the legal community is now on notice. To the extent plaintiffs and amici curiae raise
further arguments regarding the certification process being outdated, potentially impossible in
some states, etc., these questions are best left for the Legislature.7
6
See n 5 of this opinion.
7
The wisdom of a statute is for the determination of the Legislature, and the law must be
enforced as written. Smith v Cliffs on the Bay Condo Ass'n, 463 Mich 420, 430; 617 NW2d 536
(2000); City of Lansing v Lansing Twp, 356 Mich 641, 648; 97 NW2d 804 (1959); In re
Worker's Compensation Lien, 231 Mich App 556, 563; 591 NW2d 221 (1998). "A court may
not inquire into the knowledge, motives, or methods of the Legislature," Fowler v Doan, 261
(continued…)
-9-
Reversed and remanded for proceedings consistent with this opinion. We do not retain
jurisdiction.
Gage, J., concurred.
/s/ Kathleen Jansen
/s/ Hilda R. Gage
(…continued)
Mich App 595, 599; 683 NW2d 682 (2004), and may not construe a statute on the basis of a
policy decision different than that chosen by the Legislature, Robertson v DaimlerChrysler Corp,
465 Mich 732, 752; 641 NW2d 567 (2002).
-10-
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.