Barnes v. City of Detroit

This appeal involves the construction of the veterans’ homestead exemption statute.1 The factual background is as follows:

Plaintiff-appellee Barnes is a veteran of World War II with a service-connected disability recognized by the United States Veterans’ Administration on which compensation is paid. He owns a two-fifths undivided interest in common in the residence at 1791 Burns avenue, Detroit, Michigan. The remaining three-fifths interest is owned by his co-tenant, Ruth C. Barnes, who purchased it with her separate funds. Ruth C. Barnes is plaintiff’s wife and they occupy the premises…