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Questions Answered by Brent T. Geers
1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Michigan on
Q: I have multiple charges from the same incident but received multiple case numbers in Dearborn Michigan is the a error ?
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Mar 13, 2024

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

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: My tenant asked if he could leave early if he found a place to rent and receive his entire deposit back. Can we rescind?

My partner was at work and busy when he responded "sure" and he was also given incorrect information that we have since found out isn't correct. The tenant took advantage of my sweet partner and threatened me with an attorney because we decided that we could not fulfill his request.... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Mar 13, 2024

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...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Michigan on
Q: My teenage boys don't want to go to their dad do I have to send them if they refuse. Have an order in place.

They are almost 16 and 14. They don't like the atmosphere there. Don't feel wanted. They cry every time they have to go. They are quiet and upset about going. They are afraid to say something to him for fear of retaliation at them.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Mar 4, 2024

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.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Civil Rights for Michigan on
Q: Can my partner's kids enter the home w/o me present, while he is in an induced coma due to a stroke w/o a living will?

I have been living with my partner 3.5 years, supporting him and the home most of it. He and his ex gf own the home. In that time his son has only been here a handful of times, his daughter none, as she wants nothing to do with him. Until 2 days after his hospitalization, in which I was served with... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Mar 1, 2024

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

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Small Claims for Michigan on
Q: I loaned someone $4000 with a signed and notarized promissory note. They are not in default. Do I have recourse?

I bought my home from him and he also abandoned his vehicle on my property.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Feb 29, 2024

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

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Constitutional Law for Michigan on
Q: Doing jury trial if one of the jurors quit does the judge have to notify the defendant

One of the jurors left and the middle of deliberation and did not come back the next day does the judge or the prosecutor have to notify the defendant that the juror did not come back

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Feb 29, 2024

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

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: Do I have a chance to still get shared custody 8 months ago my wife abandoned our home with the kids and got a ppo?

Am I screwed?

On June 11 last year while I was at church my wife abandoned our marital home and took the kids with her, the very next day she filed a ppo with a petition full of lies and false allegations about me physically and verbally abusing her (with no evidence of course) we had a... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Feb 28, 2024

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

2 Answers | Asked in Constitutional Law and Health Care Law for Michigan on
Q: Section 2843 of Act 368 Public Acts of 1978 who should sign the death certificate?

I have without success tried to consult with an attorney that option has not been made available to me.

The deceased was pronounced dead in the hospital in Michigan. Am I correct that the death certificate should have been signed by the chief medical officer based on available records or... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Feb 29, 2024

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

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Michigan on
Q: Can the court make me stay with a offer that was not accepted in court and instead ordered to keep communicating?

My ex wife were in court arguing over a boat that was to be sold following our divorce. The judge asked why it hasn’t been sold and then asked me if I would be willing to buy it at $11,000, I replied yes. The judge then asked if my ex would accept that and her lawyer said they will have to... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Feb 26, 2024

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...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Constitutional Law and Federal Crimes for Michigan on
Q: How do I request a retraction of false statements made concerning fraudulent misrepresentations on documents?

When all documents pertaining to a person's "death" is full of fraudulent misrepresentations without explanation and corrections for years what are the remedies? The body was never seen by immediate family members and loved ones. There's blatant discrepancies from government... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Feb 26, 2024

Who are you seeking the retraction from? And if the retraction you're seeking is from false statements, can you prove those statements false?

It sounds like there is a body, and the cause of death is at issue. Unless the family is prepared financially to exhume the body and have...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Juvenile Law for Michigan on
Q: cops told me no contact with a guy the guy got into contact with me, i ding dong ditched his house can i get charged?

My girlfriends ex was harassing us, i told him i would defend myself if he took it any further because he tried to meet up. he called the cops on me and the cops told me not to get into contact with him and he cant with me or my girlfriend anymore, he eventually broke that rule 2 months later and... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Feb 22, 2024

Big life lesson here: why are you fighting stupid with stupid? He already called the cops on you; what makes you think he wouldn't call again? What did you think was going to come from you going to his mom's house? You are needlessly putting yourself in situations you don't need to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Michigan on
Q: How do I sign away my parental rights in Macomb Michigan? What forms do I need to fill? My child’s mother agree as well.

I don’t want to be involved at all

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Feb 17, 2024

Not that easy; And doesn't matter that mother agrees. The state does not allow a parent to simply say "I'm done" except through a proper adoption proceeding or an abuse / neglect proceeding that results in termination of parental rights.

If the child's mother is...
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1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, Civil Litigation and Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: Can I file a late appeal under MCR 7.105(G) as soon as I get the circuit court's signed dismissal without prejudice?

My appeal to circuit court was dismissed without prejudice for premature filing. Once the order dismissing the case without prejudice is signed, can I immediately file a late appeal to circuit court under MCR 7.105(G) or do I need permission from district court? I'm in Wayne County, Michigan.... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Feb 1, 2024

I'm confused by your question. It sounds like you are trying to appeal an eviction proceeding before a final order has been entered by the trial court (e.g., the district court). That is likely why the circuit court told you your filing was premature.

If this is an accurate read of...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Divorce for Michigan on
Q: I obtained a personal loan under my name so my wife can pay off her credit cards with the agreement she makes the

Payment, she has been making the payment for the last 2 years but now she refuses to continue paying. There is a balance of $15,000 left, can I sue her in court to force her make the payment or refinance the loan in her name

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

Are you contemplating a divorce? You signed an agreement with the bank or wherever else you obtained the loan, promising to make good on it; the bank will continue to look to you for payment, and you will remain legally on the hook for it. It doesn't matter what sort of other agreement you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Michigan on
Q: My friend recently was forced to resign because they said either get terminated or resign.

The letter they gave them said they were considering termination because they used 5 of the sick days they gave them to use and that that they were late on multiple times. I understand being late can result in being fired but mostly everyone that works in that building comes in late every day. Not... View More

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

Consider some maxims here: 1) when you're in the doghouse, it's not the time to bark. 2) pointing out the splinter in someone else's eye does not remove your own.

Your friend is obviously on someone's radar in the wrong way. Why would he or she want to remain working...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Federal Crimes and Internet Law for Michigan on
Q: Is there away to get information regarding my husband case removed from the internet source like this one and mlive?
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Dec 27, 2023

No. The Internet has a long memory. And unfortunately it isn't always accurate. Even when people are acquitted after a trial - usually months or years after news breaks of their arrest - those initial reports remain.

Further, news sources have a right to publish public information, and...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Michigan on
Q: How do I replace my michigan federal court appointed attorney who is racist and hostile
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Dec 19, 2023

Excellent advice by Mr. Carron. All too often, clients think lambasting the attorney to the judge - whether right, wrong, or otherwise - will help them. In most instances, it's harmful to the client.

Judges understand attorneys and clients are people, and not everyone gets along for a...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Sexual Harassment for Michigan on
Q: Hay I have a csc third degree case and I have a plea deal but want to know if I can go to trial better or take that deal

And is it good to go to trials on these cases

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Dec 12, 2023

Only you and your current lawyer will know the answer to this. As a general proposition, the outcome after trial in terms of punishment is worse than with a plea.

You need to decide whether you are guilty. It's not a question of what you think is right or wrong, or even what you think...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Michigan on
Q: Michigan question

if someone is an inmate in michigan and gets extradited to florida for criminal charges and the verdict is rendered and they signed papers to be sent to do prison time back in Michigan how long does it take to get back there? and who's responsibility is it to get the prisoner back to Michigan?... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Dec 7, 2023

Generally, it's the state requesting extradition that's responsible for the pickup and costs. In this case, it sounds like Michigan is requesting this person back, and the signed papers waiving extradition. Now it's a wait-and-see game.

There is no set timeline. Often -...
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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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