Wendland v. Citizens Commercial & Savings Bank

This case presents a significant issue concerning the extent to which contractual disabilities of coverture stemming from our common-law legal heritage continue to restrict women under the married women’s property act, MCL 557.1; MSA 26.161, and the cases interpreting that act.

Plaintiff is the widow of Frederick Wendland, who was proprietor and sole stockholder of a now defunct chain of stores in Flint, Michigan, incorporated as Wendlands’ Apparel, Inc. Plaintiff was the nominal vice-president of the corporation, but performed no corporate duties and allowed her husband to handle all of the…