I am a 15-year-old employee working at Culver’s in Michigan. I know that the state minimum wage increased to $12.48 a month ago, and as a minor, I understand I'm entitled to 85% of it, which is $10.61. However, I have been paid $10.50 an hour since I started on February 21, 2025, despite... View More

As a green card holder who has maintained permanent resident status in the USA for over 15 years, and with no pending legal issues or immigration concerns, am I at risk of being detained or not allowed reentry into the USA after traveling to my home country of Peru for a week or two?

I have a clean record and have never been in trouble before. While driving my car with a friend, we were pulled over, and the police found a large amount of drugs in a lock box by her feet. Since it’s my vehicle, I’m being charged with everything she’s charged with, despite having no... View More

Brent T. Geers
answered on Mar 29, 2025

The man didn't need proof. Your problem is going to be that he provided some information that turned out to be accurate and hemmed you up. He probably provided that information to help himself out, which is the choice you now need to make for yourself against your friend.

If you... View More

I am concerned about a property in Ironwood, MI, that is scheduled to go up for tax auction on Monday at 5:00 PM for $3,700. There is no will, and my nephew is the only relative. Can I take ownership from my nephew before the probate process is completed to prevent the auction?

Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Mar 29, 2025

Your nephew cannot transfer ownership of something he does not yet own.

So the short answer is 'no' ....

But there may be other options. Talk with a licensed local real estate/probate attorney to determine what can be done.

Good luck

I'm interested in acquiring a property as a third party due to $3,700 in unpaid back taxes. The property owner recently passed away, and the owner's nephew has until Monday evening to pay the back taxes. The property is not yet listed for a tax sale or auction. I would like to know if I... View More

Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Mar 29, 2025

'Control' is such a non-specific word.

Can you PAY the back taxes to the County/State before then? Yes, but the Estate will retain the right to redeem meaning you won't get the property, you'll only get your money (plus interest) back.

Can you BUY the property... View More

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I live and work remotely in Michigan for a company based in Illinois. I signed a noncompete agreement in November 2021, governed by Illinois law, which restricts me from engaging in any similar business for 18 months in areas serviced during my employment. I earn about $40,000 a year. I am... View More

I feel my attorney pressured me into settling my personal injury case. She would rush me off the phone, claimed the company had a lot against me, and said I wouldn't win if I went to court. I only spoke to her three times during my case—mostly through paralegals—and many of my calls and... View More

Brent T. Geers
answered on Mar 29, 2025

Unlikely. I'm not sure what you expected as far as communication is concerned. She informed you of the offer and her opinion. You agreed to the settlement. Causing you to feel pressured is not malpractice; in fact, the opposite could very well be. Your lawyer's job is not to be a... View More

In my personal injury case, I agreed to a contingency fee where 1/3 of the settlement goes to my attorney. However, I'm concerned because the attorney ended up receiving more from the settlement than I did. Could you explain why this might happen, and what considerations or additional fees... View More

Aaron Israels Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 29, 2025

In Michigan, contingent fee agreements need to be in writing and will outline how fees are calculated and what 'out of pocket' costs are recoverable by the attorney. My guess is that your case didn't settle for a lot of money and that the costs created the discrepancy that you are... View More

I was incarcerated for over 12 months in a penitentiary for an offense considered an aggravated felony for immigration purposes. The last offense occurred in 1997, and I served the minimum time with parole guidelines maintained. I was adopted as an adult and had temporary residence as a derivative... View More

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James L. Arrasmith Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 28, 2025

I understand you're facing a challenging immigration situation with your aggravated felony conviction from 1997. Immigration consequences for aggravated felonies are unfortunately among the most severe in U.S. immigration law, and typically result in permanent inadmissibility rather than... View More

I am seeking advice for my sister, who has previously had incidents involving setting a dumpster on fire twice due to mental health issues, for which she wasn't prosecuted. She is now stable and on medication. She is concerned about how this past behavior may affect her future rental... View More

I'm seeking accountability for my ex-husband's misrepresentation during our divorce. He purchased two houses in 2013, claiming to be single, while we were married until 2014. I have evidence from a workers' compensation hearing showing discrepancies and deeds indicating he was... View More

Brent T. Geers
answered on Mar 29, 2025

Who are you seeking to hold accountable? This all sounds like an issue to be raised in a post-judgment motion to the divorce proceeding. However, you're going to need to explain to the court why and how you could not have discovered and raised this issue before.

You won't hear... View More

I discovered that my ex-husband lied about his marital status during our divorce, and I was not included in the real estate deed despite being married to him at the time. The houses were not included in the divorce decree, and I believe the title companies did not use my divorce decree for... View More

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David Soble
answered on Mar 28, 2025

Michigan had abolished 'dower rights' for spouses back in 2016. "Dower" was a legal right that gave a wife an interest in her husband's real property for her lifetime, usually up to a 1/3 interest in the real estate. So with regards to any real estate that your husband may... View More

I'm facing a child abuse case, accused of 3rd-degree abuse, and there's a warrant out for my arrest. CPS has already removed my children from my home, and I'm currently involved in court proceedings with CPS. I haven't consulted with a lawyer yet, but I urgently need one before... View More

Brent T. Geers
answered on Mar 29, 2025

You will likely need two lawyers. While probably related, a CPS case and criminal case are legally very different with different burdens of proof. What you'll need to do in a CPS case is different than what you'll need to do in a criminal case. Because of that, most lawyers would not be... View More

When my mom passed away, her assets, including her home with a lady bird deed, automatically transferred to me and my brothers, and we're not going through probate. However, she may have owed a debt to the IRS, and there are no remaining assets to pay that debt. Do I still need to post a... View More

Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Mar 27, 2025

MUST you do so? No.

But it is still a good idea because it effectively reduces any statute of limitations to the ‘non-probate claims period’ which is drastically shorter than the general limits.

The wording is slightly different than the ‘probate’ notice but similar. I’d... View More

I recently discovered that I have a false pretense felony charge from 27 years ago in East Lansing, Michigan, related to an allegation concerning work that was promised and paid for but not provided. This came to light after being stopped at customs, and I have no prior knowledge of these... View More

I am 17 years old and have been out of my guardian's care for over a month. They won't communicate with me or go to court to change the guardianship arrangement, and they do not provide any financial support. The change was supposed to happen in December. I have ongoing issues with... View More

As the executor of an estate, can I write myself a check from the estate account to reimburse for probate expenses, even though there is no specific mention of reimbursement in the estate documents or court orders?

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David Soble
answered on Mar 28, 2025

Whether the estate underwent probate with a will or without one ("intestate") determines this. Most wills have a provision that allows reimbursement for court expenses and reasonable fees. Explicit statements of this provision are not uncommon. To be safe, you'll need the... View More

I live in a trailer that my son's grandfather bought, and I have an agreement to stay here indefinitely as long as I pay the bills. The property is in his name. Recently, I discovered that my son's father has been collecting mortgage payments from me but not paying the mortgage. I have... View More

I made ~$9000 over a 9 month period while working very part time in 2021, I did not claim this when filling in unemployment claims during this time. I have not been notified yet of a case but I believe one is coming as the money was reported to the IRS.

I have been making payments on a land contract for 15 years. After the first year, my payments of $326.80 were verbally reduced to $234.29, intended to adjust for property taxes as the contract allowed changes to reflect estimated tax costs upon demand from either party. These reduced payments have... View More

Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Mar 25, 2025

Without seeing the land contract, the tax bills and the payment amortization schedule it is impossible to say for sure, but the 'overall rule' in Michigan is 'if it deals with real estate, it must be in writing' so -- your written contract controls.

Take that contract,... View More