MI SB1520

Removes "deed" from the general forgery statute (MCL 750.248) to create a separate, specific offense for real estate documents.

Creates new Section 248b establishing a distinct felony for falsely making, altering, forging, or counterfeiting a deed, discharge of mortgage, power of attorney, or document affecting real property interests, punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment.

Creates new Section 249b establishing a separate felony for uttering and publishing as true a forged or counterfeit deed or real estate document knowing it to be false, punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment.

Requires circuit courts to enter orders declaring forged real estate documents invalid and mandates recording of these orders in the register of deeds office where the property is located, with court-ordered payment of recording fees.

Both new provisions exclude scrivener's errors from liability and allow prosecution in the county where forgery occurred, where the document was uttered, or where the rightful property owner resides.