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Questions Answered by Brent T. Geers
2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Michigan on
Q: Do inmates have rights as far as HIPPA or privacy rights that guards are not allowed to share with people?

My brother is dating a girl that works in the jail my boyfriend is currently an inmate at. When my brother told her who my boyfriend was she shared a lot of information with my brother that was in my boyfriend's file, I feel this is at best unprofessional, but is there anything legally that... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Nov 26, 2023

Without knowing what information specifically, it's hard to say. Some information on your boyfriend's file may also be public information, such as charges.

Might be unprofessional, at worse, but could be more. Larger issue is that unless the disclosure is something pretty major,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Michigan on
Q: Legally, is the next of kin to a biological child, both biological parents?
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Nov 21, 2023

The next-of-kin for a minor child would be one or both LEGAL parents, which in most cases are the same as biological parents. Fathers of children born out of wedlock need to establish paternity to become the legal father. Even when children are born of a marriage, a court's custody... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Michigan on
Q: A person representing friend of court lied to the judge in court. What do I do? I have proof.

We were at a motion to change child support that I filed. I emailed 3 paychecks to friend of court. They lied about what’s on the paychecks. I’m calling Monday to get a transcript of the court proceedings also for evidence.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Nov 18, 2023

To change support, you need to meet a threshold for a change: generally, the new guideline amount would need to differ by more than $50 or 10%. So the issue you are facing is not so much the FOC worker testified to a differing amount on the checks; the issue is whether they properly calculated a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Michigan on
Q: Is it legal to put hidden cameras in my home to collect evidence that my child's dad is abusing him without him knowing?

I am planning to leave my boyfriend (father of my 2 young children) but I intend to win majority custody. I know for a fact he is not a fit parent to have majority. I am the only one who takes care of the children's needs and he is physically abusive to them. I need to collect proof of this... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Nov 14, 2023

Can you? Probably. Should you? Probably not. I understand what your intent is, but a lawyer's job is sometimes to make you aware of the unintended affects you may be unaware of.

Consider this: You leave him and file for custody alleging that he abused your child and you have video...
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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law for Michigan on
Q: I have a labor question about being late and not getting paid.

I work at a school and get paid biweekly. The past two months have been crazy trying to buy a house. I’ve been getting to work one to five minutes late throughout the months. I was talked to and was told for punishment I get a whole days work docked off my pay. I was given the times I came in and... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 30, 2023

I understand the punishment seems beyond the crime here. But keep in mind that if you work in a school, it's not just you and your time that factors into things: if you are a teacher, or otherwise worked singularly and directly with students, someone else may have had to step in on your... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Probate for Michigan on
Q: My fiance died with no will. No kids. His new phone is on my plan with a significant balance. His sibling took his phone

His phone is fingerprint and passcode locked. If I pay off the balance, is the phone legally mine since it is on my account.

Update.

I have asked for the phone back since I am paying the bill. They will not give it back.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 30, 2023

This is a scenario with a legal answer and a contrary common sense approach.

If the phone is on your account, you are ultimately responsible for the balance. That has nothing to do with the sibling. Why would he or she want the phone? Have you, or could you, ask for it back? If they refuse,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: Do I create a new appeal for post judgement proceedings or amend earlier appeal of judgement?

Greetings, lawyers.

I'm a Tenant in Detroit, MI (Wayne County) currently in Landlord-Tenant Proceedings. I appealed a decision from 36th District Court to 3rd Circuit Court. The Landlord started post-judgment proceedings in 36th District Court and we entered a Consent Judgment through... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 23, 2023

I would suggest you retain an attorney ASAP. Just in what you state is the posture of the case, there are several procedural problems to your detriment. First, I'm not sure what you understood the consent judgment to be, but it implies a final order made by the agreement of both parties. You... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Michigan on
Q: Once PPO expires in Michigan, does anything remain on record? Can I now have a career in law enforcement? Or own a gun?

Ex girlfriend filed a PPO, it went uncontested (long story, but all allegations were false).

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 20, 2023

PPOs in general are non-public records. Once expired, you can possess a gun again (presuming you are otherwise entitled to do so (e.g. not have a felony conviction).

Can you have a career in law enforcement is a question you'll have to ask the certification people and any hiring...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: I am trying to locate a legal aid attorney .for divorce

My ex is in for life prison.i am very afraid still and need to break all ties to him.the judge has given me until Nov 4th to serve the paper to him.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 18, 2023

Sounds like you've already filed for the divorce. What you need now to do is serve the paperwork. For someone in prison, that is typically done through the warden of the prison he is housed in. You certainly could look into qualifying for a legal aid attorney, but that person would have to do... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Products Liability for Michigan on
Q: Inquiring about a law suit for failing to operate a electronic ankle monitor. As a result my child was shot.

The company failed to provide adequate services. We would like compensation.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 16, 2023

You'd have to expand, greatly, on how failing to operate an electronic ankle monitor somehow caused or contributed to your child being shot.

Very generally, civil liability (e.g. what you would be suing for) ends upon someone else's criminal activity. This is why you don't...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: Does interest on a post divorce related money judgment accrue from the divorce date or judgment date?

Michigan Divorce was 5/2017 and 401k was part of settlement. However neither of us pursued the QDRO for over 2 years. 2019 I became unemployed at which point I had to access the 401k funds. As a result my x spouse filed a motion and a money judgment was awarded to her for half of the original 401k... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 11, 2023

Typically, judgment interest accrues from the date judgment is entered. In your case, the judgment that matters is the divorce judgment. The QDRO is simply a mechanism to enforce or effectuate the judgment, so it's date does not matter.

Judgment interest is intended of course to...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Michigan on
Q: My father died on June 12. no will, no trust I Stepmom is administrator but is not turning in all assets.

Father had 3 businesses a house on land. Bank accounts only in his name. She is not legally doing what she is suppose to do. She is selling estate assets. Below cost or giving away . Has already done a quick deed to her son my half brother for the house. 4 dependents of my dads have gotten... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 10, 2023

I assume this woman was legally married to your father. In that case, she is entitled to the spousal elective share. I say that simply to say that the formula for that, in most cases, means that the spouse receives all or the majority of any probate estate.

As the personal representative,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law and Education Law for Michigan on
Q: Are they violating state and First admendment?

child’s school threatened to suspended my daughter if she brings the recording I provided to her to record her school day as there are issues going on. I discovered that a teacher disciplined my daughter wrongly after two students claimed she said they were stupid and dead. She was put on the... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 4, 2023

You need to realize that schools - like jails and other secured facilities - are not public free-for-all spaces. Because they have care and concern for children, school administrators may make rules, policies, and procedures that otherwise affect Constitutional rights. As examples, schools can... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: Can a 3rd party petition to unseal adoption records in Michigan?

I am a father who adopted my non biological son 9 years ago, being his foster parent and being the bio-parents rights were terminated. The records are sealed. A man who has a child with a sibling of the bio-mom is wanting to have a court unseal it to dig up possible dirt on her, and all this for... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 3, 2023

Not sure legally if this is your fight. I also do not think this other man has grounds for the court to unseal the record. Obviously it's a concern enough for you to warrant a consultation with an attorney. In particular, I would ask about standing.

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims for Michigan on
Q: From when would deadline to plead be (when the motion was accepted or the pretrial hearing (originally the motion date)?

I submitted a motion to set aside default a 2 months ago in small claims court. The motion was given a hearing date, but in interim the plaintiff accepted it and the same hearing date was changed to a pretrial hearing (and motion adjourned to set aside default). I did not receive a letter for this... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Sep 28, 2023

If you are having these questions, you need a lawyer. These are procedural questions. From what you describe, you had already been defaulted, which would otherwise effectively end the case for you and subjecting you to whatever the plaintiff was asking for. You seem to have successfully got the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: I am living rent free per verbal contract. I was told I could remain here for one year, starting November 1, 2022.

The property owner has sold the land and tells me the development firm will be here on October 1 to ask me to leave. I need my extra 30 days to find a new home. What rights do I have? I am in Michigan.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Sep 28, 2023

A verbal contract is worth the paper it's printed on. That's especially true in matters of real estate. That said, the timing of all this just may be such that you do get to November 1st. Have you been served with a notice to quit yet? If not, the development firm would likely do so on... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law and Criminal Law for Michigan on
Q: Can a assault and battery charge for trying to kiss can prevent you from being US citizen?

My friend is greencard holder and at a party he tried to kiss a girl, the girl was fine at that time and didn’t say anything but now he is being charged with assault and battery. His lawyer doesn’t seem like is of help and almost seem like he wants my friend to get in trouble. Can this charge... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Sep 27, 2023

Possibly. The question your friend's lawyer is concerned with is whether an assault happened; he or she is not trying to get him in more trouble than he's already in, but must deal with and confront your friend with the facts that may come out at trial.

That lawyer, that judge,...
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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights for Michigan on
Q: Do you have to show police your CPL license if you are not suspected of a crime in Michigan.

And or Drivers License while carrying a firearm.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Sep 21, 2023

The answer is within the licensing statutes. The prerequisite CPL class instructs people on their rights AND responsibilities under the law. Importantly, you are obligated to immediately disclose whether you are carrying concealed when approached by law enforcement. Failing to do so, or not having... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Education Law for Michigan on
Q: Can I sue my school for neglect if they had a fire drill at 8:40am when it's 28° outside and the kids no jackets

Newberry mi Going to the store and noticed all the kids at the school were outside with no jacket on because they were having a fire drill at 8:40 in the morning when it was 28° outside .they are out there for 15 to 20 minutes. my kids are already sick as it is "sinuses" called the... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Sep 19, 2023

I assume this happened last winter, as to my knowledge, it's not been 28 degrees anywhere in lower Michigan yet this school year.

A few questions: what are your damages? Did your kid end up sicker? If you were aware that he was sick, why was he at school? Not trying to be funny, but...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: Divorced 50/50 custody. Got a drunk driving almost 3 years ago and now he is taking me back to court about this. Can he

What can he do in court? He is trying to take custody away from me and move. He said he has a lawyer and that she is going.to file a couple of motions. I don't know what they are but he said he wants to change our divorce decree because I violated it by drinking. First time that nothing... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Sep 13, 2023

I think you've hit his motivation spot-on: he wants to change custody to leverage more money from you in child support. Can he file whatever motion? Certainly. Issues of custody, parenting time, and support remain so long as the child is a minor. Will he succeed? Who knows. He would need to... View More

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