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Questions Answered by Brent T. Geers
1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Probate and Estate Planning for Michigan on
Q: Can someone take my role of personal representative over an estate from me just because there mad that I am evictingthem
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 12, 2024

They could try, but they would need to fall within the priority list of people who can serve as a personal representative - generally meaning they would need to be more closely related to the deceased person. AND they would need to convince the probate court judge that you are not performing your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Michigan on
Q: If I’m married and my spouse dies and I don’t have a will or trust does all my property automatically go to our children

There is also 2 step children. They are from the deceased husbands first marriage. Are they entitled to anything? Could they take my children to court?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 11, 2024

If your spouse dies before you, you would then legally be considered single. To the extent your spouse does not have an estate plan, joint accounts, or beneficiary designations to the contrary, the lion's share of his or her property would go to you as the surviving spouse, with any remainder... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: Men who own property before marriage, does it automatically become joint property if he should divorce?

Long story short, my brother owns a farm with a house on one side of the street and another house, he built, on the other side. He owned both before he married. He wants and needs a divorce. He is selling the big house and moving into the little house with the farm because she has financially... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 10, 2024

I think he needs to think through this from the standpoint that the properties are likely part of the marital estate that would be divided through divorce. There are exceptions to that, but then he needs to consider whether 1) those exceptions apply, and 2) whether it's worth the cost to... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Michigan on
Q: How do I go about getting my name off a ladybird deed as a remainderman?

I am 1 of 3 remainders on a ladybird deed in michigan. My grandmother ( the grantor ) passed away in 2016. I currently live in the house along with 1 of the other remainderman. My fiance and I are currently in the market for our own home. Once I move, I no longer want any type of responsibility to... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 10, 2024

If the grantor has passed, there should now be deeds filed effectuating new ownership. You could elect not to be on that deed, and therefore you would have no ownership interest or responsibility. Regardless of what you agree with with the other remaindermen, all of you should work toward... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Identity Theft and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: If someone files court papers with someone elses information is that identity theft

My boyfriends mom possibility filed court paperwork with his name against the mother of his child in regards to grandparenting rights, we are unsure if thats legal without his consent and what it falls under if it isnt legal. We guessed identity theft but we were unsure. We are currently trying to... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 6, 2024

It sounds, likely, that your boyfriend's mom filed a petition for grandparents rights on her own behalf. Such petition would necessarily allege her relationship to the child through your boyfriend, which is likely why he would be named in it.

If that is not the case - e.g., she filed...
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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Michigan on
Q: If a warent was dismissed and police confiscated my fire arm with out consent do they have to give it back

Was taken to jail on a false arrest the officers did a search and found my gun that wasn't registered and they confinescated it and seized my property then when i asked to get my property back they wouldn't give it back.. I'm not a felon never had a violent offense but they took my... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 6, 2024

Hate to break it to you, but your issue begins and ends with you taking a plea. You're not getting that firearm back. All the possible defenses you raised here - constitutional violations - should have been raised and litigated before the plea.

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1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: If child pertective services has you come to there office to sign some papers and then has a officer in the same room

And after signing those papers the hhs tells you by the way this office has something to say and I was arrest for a warrant

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

If you had a warrant, I'm unsure there is anything legally you can do about it as the police can execute it any time or place. Same thing could have happened if you were to appear in court on the CPS matter; they could have taken you into custody then.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Michigan on
Q: How can I get a copy of jury instructions from an old state criminal case?
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jun 3, 2024

Model standard jury instructions are available online. Note, though, that those may not be what were actually used in the trial as some courts use modified or specially prepared jury instructions. What will matter for your case is what was actually read to the jury.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: Sold house during a divorce. Locks have been changed so I can’t access inside. Can I gain entry by any means?

Technically is the house still ours until move out date? And can I get into the house by any means to get my stuff out of house?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 30, 2024

Are you selling the house through realtors? You should be in contact with your realtor. Ordinarily, yes, you would have access to the house until a date determined in the purchase agreement or at closing. But you cannot use "any means". Further, it will depend on what your court orders... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Constitutional Law for Michigan on
Q: How do I receive my unlawfully seized weapon in michigan

My pistol was seized during a traffic stop because the officer assumed my CPL was expired having observed that the exp date printed on my CPL had in fact passed. But michigan law states I have one year past the exp date to renew said license. I have done the required refreshment review and range... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 30, 2024

You're not getting it back before concluding the criminal case in which you can present the argument you're making here. The one-year "grace period" should not be read to mean that you're immune to prosecution for CCW during that year.

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Construction Law for Michigan on
Q: What is my legal obligation to a year old contract I signed with a gutter company.

My son signed a contract with Magic Window company to have gutters put on his house last year, May 2023. There was no date set for installation and no work has been done. The sales person did not contact them again until this month. The contract had a 3 day cooling off period. My son is now being... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 30, 2024

Let them. Did the contract indicate a start date? Arguably, pulling a permit is an indication the company intended to start. But what would explain the year-long delay beyond that? I think the deposit may be lost unless there is a showing of your son attempting to contact the company about... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation for Michigan on
Q: How may a Pro Se' litigant request the statute of limitation to be tolled due distress and fraud?

Where fraud carries a six year statute of limitation, but there's a 180 day statute to bring an action for FOIA violations. May a claim for fraudulent misrepresentations, continuous lack of transparency regarding FOIA responses, spanning the entire six year period be brought? Thanks.

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 15, 2024

You cannot request that a statute of limitations be tolled. You can submit a motion (and brief) arguing that the statute of limitations should be tolled for particular reasons found in this case. The judge would determine whether your argument and supporting facts meet the legal standard to toll... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims for Michigan on
Q: We are in a small claims case where the plaintiff claims we owe him money for interest on not paying back fast enough.

The defendent borrowed money verbally (in-person) from a friend with no set date to pay the money back nor any agreement on paying interest if not paid back fast enough. The plaintiff is now angry that we did not pay back fast enough and is claiming we owe interest and is taking us to small claims... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 14, 2024

In small claims, the discovery rules differ. By their nature, small claims court is just the real-life version of what you may see on those daytime courtroom TV shows: the parties show up and plead their case right then and there. In more formal proceedings, there would be pretrial discovery,... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Real Estate Law and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: Do i have any legal rights in this situation?

I've put over 400K into property to develop it and build a huge pole barn, paid numerous mortgage payments as well as put another 10k cash on principle. Since i haven't been able to get on the property and having excuses time and time again I'm leaving but would like to know if i... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 14, 2024

Is your name on the deed? If not, and since you are not married, you may be out-of-luck. If your name is on the deed, then you would have the right to force a sale, which may likely result in the other person writing a check for you for your portion of the proceeds.

This may be harsh, but...
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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Michigan on
Q: can my ex fiance force a buyout if her name is on the deed but i am on the deed and mortgage.

I am writing to inquire about a situation concerning the property at [address], which I co-own with my ex-fiance. I am seeking clarity on the legal implications and potential outcomes in our current circumstances.

To provide some context, when we purchased the property, my ex-fiance's... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 14, 2024

Your changed relationship status has no bearing on property ownership and what actions may be taken. Your ex-fiance may petition a court for sale of the house; she may need to do so at some point to qualify for a future mortgage of her own. She could also show back up at your door with a U-Haul... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: Can a renter pursue a quiet title action under MCL 600.2932?

Under that MCL, "Any person, whether he is in possession of the land in question or not, who claims any right in, title to, equitable title to, interest in, or right to possession of land" may seek such an action. Does a renter, through a lease, meet that criteria? Specifically, the... View More

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

The better course of action would be for you to hire a lawyer on your parents' behalf if you are financially able to do so. No sense muddling the waters - while I think your reading of the statute is correct, I'd anticipate opposing counsel raising it as an issue for attack, which will... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Michigan on
Q: How to reclaim vehicle seizure even if it was signed over due to time limit and case was dismissed over a year later.

My father signed over his vehicle due to the cost and only had 20 days even though the charges i had werent brought forth for a year later which were possession of controlled substance. Those charges were also dismissed due to inability to provide evidence with intent with their inventory search.... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 9, 2024

As a practical matter, that vehicle is probably long gone - likely auctioned. Regardless of why your father signed over the vehicle, if he did in fact sign it over, then I think it's a done deal. I would think your father would have to establish some pretty significant police misconduct to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Criminal Law for Michigan on
Q: Can i sue police dept after case was dismissed for rights violation or retrieve my seized vehicle

In 2022 i was pulled over for inoperable headlight, it then revealed a warrant which then resulted w inventory Vehicle Atlanta charges of possession of control substance Seizure of the vehicle which was My fathers. The war for the charges didn't become active for almost a year after I was... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 9, 2024

As to the car, you can't do anything. You said it's your father's car; only he has standing to do anything about it, even though you were the one arrested.

Drug forfeiture is complex. Essentially, the police provide notice of intent to seize the asset. The property owner has...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Michigan on
Q: My granddaughter is in prison for26 more months an her daughter dad wants her to sign a paper giving him full custody

She said no when she gets out will she have trouble with that

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 6, 2024

Your daughter is in a tough spot. She may find herself without much of a choice between giving the father full custody or having her parental rights terminated. It will, undoubtedly, be an uphill battle to even shared custody upon her release unfortunately.

1 Answer | Asked in Construction Law for Michigan on
Q: Can I be sued

So I recently did a side job here in Michigan. I qouted the homeowner said amount for a front porch remodel. They added stuff on after the agreed upon quote. Now they are demanding I do more work for free out of pocket or they are taking me to court. I left and refused to do anymore work until they... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 6, 2024

Are you licensed? You are both wrong in your own ways. If you are not pulling permits, it's your license at stake. And if you are accepting money under the table, whose to say they haven't already paid you for the materials? You may have some legitimate ground to stand on in this case,... View More

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