Culture

This 30-Year-Old Man’s Parents Took Him To Court To Force Him To Move Out

The court hearing was WILD.

by Rob Stott  23 May 2018
Eviction

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Y’know that one friend who absolutely refuses to move out of home, no matter how awkward it gets as they try to live as a fully fledged adult while still under their parents’ roof? They’ve got nothing on Michael Rotondo.

The 30-year-old from Syracuse, New York just lost a court battle against his parents, who were trying to force him to leave home eight years after he moved back in when he lost his job. Again, this man is 30 years old.

Rotondo simply ignored multiple polite requests from his parents, which forced them to take him to the state’s Supreme Court to get an eviction order.

Court documents show that Michael’s parents first asked him to leave on February 2, giving him two weeks’ notice.

Michael Rotondo

They followed up with a slightly more terse eviction notice on February 13.

Michael Rotondo

On February 18 they offered him $1100 to help with moving costs, and a heap of useful advice, like ‘sell your useless shit to make money’.
Michael Rotondo

On March 5, they sent another letter telling him to get out. That letter was ignored, and Mr and Mrs Rotondo began court proceedings in mid-May.

Earlier this week the whole family got together for a court hearing, because quality time is important.

The hearing was pretty wild, according to these reports. Michael Rotondo apparently asked the judge for six months’ notice before being forced out, despite already being given at least three months’ notice by this point.

When the judge described this demand as “outrageous”, young Rotondo called the judge “outrageous” as well.

He also argued that he cannot be evicted because he is a relative of the house’s owners. That would be his parents.

Court documents indicate that throughout his eight years living with his parents, Michael contributed nothing to household expenses or chores, because he didn’t feel he was expected to.

Some other highlights, courtesy of Syracuse.com, who first picked up the story:

“As [Michael]’s parents sat quietly in the court gallery, [Michael] appeared to crave the spotlight. At one point, the judge called [Michael] up to the bench. [Michael] noted that microphones placed by the media were on the lawyer’s podium. He tried to take the podium up with him.”

And this:

“When asked if he considered spending as much time looking for a new place to live as fighting the eviction, [Michael] replied that he wasn’t ready to leave home.”

And of course, this:

“After court, [Michael] said he had a business to support himself. But when asked about his business, [Michael] replied: ‘My business is my business.'”

Unfortunately, Judge Donald Greenwood didn’t buy Michael’s excuse that he’s “not ready” to move out of home, and signed an eviction order. Michael was given “reasonable time” to leave the home.

Outside court, Michael indicated he would appeal the decision.