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Questions Answered by Brent T. Geers
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

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Family Law, Civil Litigation and Constitutional Law for Michigan on
Q: What can I do if I was denied the right to file a motion to dismiss a default judgment, which resulted in me now…

Losing my home? I had a default judgment rolled against me on July 7 and attempted to file a motion to dismiss on July 13. The court clerk refused to accept my dismissal, claiming that I did not have the 21 days I was told I only had seven. This directly led to me now losing my home. What can I do... View More

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

You need a lawyer; and you likely needed a lawyer months ago.

As happens when people try to represent themselves, you are unaware of the proper procedures and court rules. Filing whatever you think is proper whenever you think it should be filed is not how this works.

You have a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Sexual Harassment for Michigan on
Q: Is there any way for a victim to not be in the same courtroom as the person for which they are seeking a PPO against?

Due to the mental health of the respondent there is a significant likelihood that the person would be violent or use traumatizing language as well as appeal in hopes of spending more legitimate time with the victims.

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

In most counties, there are victim / witness services coordinators that can help address these concerns. A victim's right to be protected is sometimes in conflict with an accused' right to confront witnesses. But there are ways. And importantly, judges have contempt powers that can be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Child Custody and Communications Law for Michigan on
Q: Can I use my own recordings of conversations between my ex-wife and I in Michigan court if she did not give permission.

Michigan appears to be, essentially, one party consent so long as the call is recorded by one of the participants.

I also told her numerous times I was recording all of our interactions to serve as a blanket statement.

She is consistently threatening to intentionally violate our... View More

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

If you have a custody agreement, then the only thing that matters is whether she - and you - are complying with its terms. If you two are making further agreements, that's cool, but understand that an agreement isn't an agreement unless both parties agree. When one party says "we... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law and Municipal Law for Michigan on
Q: Does the Michigan Governor have authority to remove locally elected City officials (NOT Township officials)?

4 Albion City Councilmembers illegally /improperly removed 4 appointed board members from the Albion Economic Development Corporation: on or about 21 August 2023. No advance notification of the removal was provided to the 4 EDC Board members. No written description or statement of the basis for... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Sep 5, 2023

Your question is way too complex for general legal advice. It's highly technical. Believe it or not, not all cities are created equal; by statute, there are distinctions based largely on size and charter. But your question alludes to the basics of state government: counties and cities are... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Michigan on
Q: as an heir do I have a right to know how the will is meant to be distributed ?

When probate is not an issue, and there are only two heirs, one being the executor, how long should I be expected to wait for an accounting and distribution of the will ?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Aug 29, 2023

First question to ascertain is whether there even needs to be a probate estate opened. Many people die with wills but otherwise have all their assets either owned jointly or with beneficiary designations that control the distribution of assets over anything in the will.

A common example...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Michigan on
Q: My husband has two children with a women whom wants to give up all her right voluntarily.

We do not have money to pay for a lawyer we live paycheck to paycheck. we are trying to figure out how to do this.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Aug 25, 2023

You could do a step-parent adoption. There are standard SCAO forms to help with this, but there would be costs and fees associated.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Elder Law and Probate for Michigan on
Q: What can I do my father past away this year Jan 10th he was a former veteran he had no will no power of attorney

I'm his daughter his benifituary the nursing home is sueing me for the bill and trying to take his house that he left me I am on the deed what do I do the nursing home already file a summons

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Aug 17, 2023

You need to be in touch with an elder law attorney asap. First, that person will need to help you figure out if you are being sued individually or in the capacity of the estate representative. If they are trying to take the house, I imagine you are involved in your capacity as the estate... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Michigan on
Q: How to get DNA test after paternity established

Im trying to help a friend with his situation. He has a 12 yr old daughter and has paid support this whole time. She was conceived days before he was incarcerated for a yr in jail. I don't know the exact reasoning but his ex never let him see his daughter and he never tried to push it until... View More

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

He's going to need more than speculation, and with the amount of time that has passed, he arguably doesn't have a legal right to contest paternity.

Best case scenario would be through an admission and a stipulated motion between him, the mother, and the actual father.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation for Michigan on
Q: Michigan civil lawsuit against a neighbor who trespassed our property and called the Humane Society to trap our cats.

Their attorney claims a Statute of limitation of three years as tort, but I believe it's six years because they immediately adopted part of the cats therefore should be Statutory Conversion. Could you clarify this for me?

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

The governing statute of limitation is for the claim made, not what it could be. Typically, in civil matters, you can make alternative claims. Each claim, though, would be subject to its applicable statute of limitations. Hopefully you are engaged with an attorney who knows this, as you can easily... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Civil Rights for Michigan on
Q: If a inmate in a correctional facility request to go into protective custody to avoid a confrontation with another inmat

And the guards refused to let him and tell him if he does so write him a ticket. Is that against the inmates rights?

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

I think if something were to happen now, there's possible liability on the prison. Whether a denial of protective custody at this juncture is appropriate is very much a fact-dependent question. Prisons do not need to just place someone in protective custody just because they ask. Usually,... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Elder Law, Family Law and Probate for Michigan on
Q: A secret trust was set up by my mother’scaretaker (CT) who has all of the POA and power. I am disinherited.

Mom has dementia, but she is coherent; very forgetful too. She currently lives in rehab center. Mom now wants me to inherit. However, she cannot advocate for that. I am banned ( but I snuck in twice). CT has mom’s ID. Anything I can do short of suing for guardianship?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Aug 5, 2023

No. You would need to petition the probate court for guardian and conservatorship. If this caretaking has proper documentation in the form of a POA, you face a significant uphill battle.

You say you are banned from seeing your mother; By whom? And why? Depending on your answers, you're...
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