Michigan Family Legal Questions

He has no right to touch you. While you should not be sneaking out, bad things can happen to teens out past curfews, nothing excuses what he did. You can report the incident to Child Protective Services. Now here is the problem with that. When you do that, it will really put your mom in a bind because now her boyfriend won't be able to come around anymore. Whatever your differences with your mom, this will strain your relationship with her; if you report the incident, do you have other family who will take you in? You do not want to be out on the street homeless, that life will destroy your life before you even begin living. You need to start with an adult conversation with your mom- I love you and was wrong to sneak out but he had no right to touch me. He hurt me and that is not right. You are my mother, you have to protect me. I will not allow him to touch me again. This is VERY real stuff and your personal safety is at stake. You can and probably should report the attack but you better have a plan before you file the police report. Best of luck to you and stay in school.... Read More

I strongly suggest you contact legal aid. If there are other family members who you can stay with and be safe, it is recommended. I do not doubt your need to get out of where you are but your personal safety is what matters most. From a practical standpoint, getting full time work while under 16 is difficult. Lastly, no matter what, make sure you graduate High School, without it, you will be very limited in your abililty to get the jobs you want. Best of luck to you and be safe!... Read More

If there is a divorce decree, that determines what happens to the house. Since the home is a top asset of most marital estates, it would be surprising for the court not to rule on it. If you owned the home prior to the marriage and she was never on the deed, and it never became part of the marital estate, if the divorce decree does not say otherwise, you have a right to evict.... Read More

First, if you live in Michigan, Michigan law applies, if you don't, it probably doesn't. If you do live in Michigan, the state recognizes common law marriages from other states but probating an estate if you are the property owner and the suvivors seeks to assert claims can be difficult. If you love this person, have will or trust for their benefit. The cost is small but the amount saved in future lawyer fees and peace of mind for both of you is probably worth it. Good luck.     ... Read More

A court could well conclude that you acknowledged fathering the child by the fact you paid for care. If you are sure you want to fight to prove the child is not yours, you will have to get a court ordered paternity test. It is up to you. It does tend to ruin the relationship with the mom. If you really like the mom, or think the child is yours, this is your chance to be a father to a child, something many people wish they had. best of luck to you... Read More

Unfortunately, you do not have a cause of action or, absent actual physical abuse, no legal matter that a lawyer can really help you. Most family problems are ones of communication. The best way is to write a letter to your folks and tell them how you feel. Tell them you know they love you but ask them to respect the fact you are not child anymore and that you have opinions about how you want to spend your summer. Presenting a well planned out alternative would show your family your maturity and that you have put a lot of thought into this. It is likely that camp has already been paid for this year but it is only a week or so, and with a well written letter, you might convince your folks that they need to include you more in making summer plans. Best of luck to you. ... Read More

While you can check with the estate bar layer referal service, 800 968-0738, I do not believe you have a case: first damages for emotional distress are rarely if ever granted in Michigan. second, proving damages would be hard, proving the facts will also be an issue, you would need DNA evidence, possibly from people who are no longer alive. I am sorry that this is distressing to you. What I can tell you is that who you are as a person matters a lot more than who your parents are. The person looking back at you in the mirror each morning is probably a pretty good person who is decent to others and does their best in life. Dwelling on the past will neither give you the answers you need nor make your life any better. With COVID and so many things wrong in the world, it would be wiser to live your life free of matters you had no control over and focus on living each day you have now.  Perhaps not the answer you were looking for, but best of luck to you either way.... Read More

Technically, your daughter is still minor. If she were picked up by the police, she would be returned to you. But what will that solve. That said, if you are having issues with her, I recommend counseling for both of you. The issue is often communication.  I have found that sending people a letter makes them feel valued and there is no heat of the moment. The world can be a dangerous place for a youngster who does not see the dangers of rampant addiction and human trafficking. Let her know how much you care and what she means to you. She is not a baby anymore but she still has a lot to learn, some things she is going to have to figure out for herself others, you can provide important guidance. She needs to feel respected.  Remind her that finishing high school will mean $250,000 or more to her lifetime earnings- because people who don't finish school ear much less than people who do over their lifetime.  If you can get her to agree to a "life contract," what you will do and what she will do, it might help put things on a better footing. best of luck to you.... Read More

With a marriage this long, there are likely many issues that will need to be addressed including real property, personal property, other assets, debt, and the issue of spousal support being paid. A telephone consultation with an experienced family law attorney can provide a great deal of useful information for you to consider as you move forward.... Read More