Risk versus reward. Mr. Zichi provided a comprehensive answer. People greatly underestimate the costs, both in terms of time and money, it takes to litigate issues in court. Even if you were to prove your case, and a judge says "you're right, they're wrong", you still have to... View More

Not sure anything can be done. Presumptively, this was all done verbally; you have nothing in writing. Generally, when you give someone something, it becomes theirs once they accept the gift. There are no "give backs" under the law. Nothing would prevent them from giving the dog away now... View More

Possession can be actual or constructive. Knowledge can be established with circumstantial evidence (e.g. if something was found on the dashboard, a fact-finder - the jury - can infer that you were aware of it.

As a very general proposition, a driver is responsible for anything in the car.... View More

No one - including your lawyer - can tell you with any certainty that you will get your license restored. The administrative hearing officers take a lot of factors into account. Most important, perhaps, is your ability to convince the hearing officer that you are and have been stone-cold sober over... View More

Not wise, for sure, to call the court without your lawyer. Your lawyer ostensibly wants what you want; did you think he or she would be mad that you want to reconcile? It makes absolutely no difference to him or her.

If the judgment has not been signed, your lawyer - working with the other... View More

If it's child support that the state is trying to collect from you, your "consent" is not required. By being the legal father to a child in Michigan who either has or is receiving state assistance, you are on the hook for child support. Simply put: the child's right to the... View More

Not necessarily. Is this a custody or divorce case? If so, the 1st hearing is usually to establish a temporary order: figure out what's going on and how to keep things from getting worst. There's usually a lot of discovery and exchange of evidence left to do.

Best option would be to put your name on the deed as a joint owner. That way, even if you separate, you would be entitled to a portion of the proceeds upon sale of the house. Another alternative would be for him to complete an estate plan, and preferably a lady bird deed naming you as the... View More

Consider talking with a consumer rights attorney who can advise you on what remedies may be available through Michigan's consumer protection act. I suspect though that once you accepted delivery of this motorcycle, and had it for at least 6 months before noticing anything, it may be difficult... View More

There is a fee for services, which is why the amount deducted doesn't match the amount received. Your employer must comply with the income withholding order timely. But ultimately you are responsible for the entire amount owed.

Your parents are right to be worried. It sounds like you are taking reasonable precautions against being caught up in anything really illegal. However, as you know, the sources you are getting stuff from are not on the up-and-up. A lot of scams happens behind porn because people assume you'll... View More

Depends...different types of cases could be assigned different case numbers even from the same event. For example, you could be charged with a felony, a city misdemeanor, or a civil infractions; those would all have separate numbers. Further, if you were charged with felonies, you would always have... View More

Possibly. I think a judge could find that the text communication is a sufficient writing. The other issue is that the request isn't really an amendment to the lease; it sounds like he's asking to terminate the lease.

Bigger question for you is: why not let this tenant leave and... View More

Short answer is: yes, you need to send them. Is this a new issue? What's changed? A judge is going to want answers to those questions, and at your sons' ages, the judge may want those answers from your boys in the form of an in camera interview after the filing of a proper motion.

You are in a very tough spot. The ex-girlfriend is a co-owner of the house and so she can evict you. I did not see you indicate that you are legally married to your partner. If that's the case, and in the absence of legal documents to the contrary signed by your partner, you have a tough... View More

Yes. You can sue them. The person will either answer and appear, or not. The judge will determine whether they are actually in default and if so, what the judgment amount is. It is then your responsibility to collect it legally. Unfortunately, you may find that the person who owes you this money... View More

An event like this would ordinarily be disclosed to the defendant on the record but outside the presence of the remaining jurors. The prosecutor likely knows nothing more about the circumstances than the defense attorney; court staff would alert the judge to the juror issue, and the judge would... View More

You sound like you are aware this will be an uphill battle. Are you screwed? No! Of big concern is why you haven't seen the kids in 8 months; is that because you never raised this issue with the court or your soon-to-be ex is just not complying with the order? I think with that amount of time... View More

To answer your question more succinctly: Ordinarily a death certificate would be signed by the doctor present at the time of death. The cause(s) of death would be those known to the doctor at the time or based on medical records. It is not uncommon for there to be multiple causes of death, and the... View More

I think you might be stuck and here's why:

As a matter of basic contract principles, what happened is that you made an offer when the judge asked whether you were willing to buy them out. That offer wasn't accepted immediately ("...they will have to discuss and get back to... View More