These Parents Had To Sue their 30-Year-Old Son To Get Him To Move Out Of The House

Douglas Dowty/The Syracuse Newspapers via AP

Do you think there is ever an age where it is inappropriate for an adult to still live with their parents? More and more adults are still living at home with their folks, but not everyone thinks this is a good trend.

Such was the case for New Yorkers Christina and Mark Rotondo who recently took the unusual step of suing their 30-year-old son to get them out of their home

Yes, this mom and dad actually had to take their adult son Michael to court in order to get him out of their Camillus home. They decided to take this legal step after Michael ignored previous verbal and written requests to leave the home, including a note written in February which in part said:

“There are jobs available even for those with a poor work history like you. Get one – you have to work!” and also included this kind message “If you want help finding a place your Mother has offered to help you.”

They also encouraged Michael to sell some of his belongings in order to earn cash to move out, and they also gifted him with over $1,000 to help him spread his wings and move out. Still, Michael would not leave their family home. Hence, the Rotondos made the difficult decision to take their son to court.

And, New York State Supreme Court Judge Donald Greenwood sided with the parents in this case, saying that Mom and Dad gave Michael more than enough notice and that he now needs to leave their home.

“I’m granting the eviction,” he said.

However, until the official eviction notice is set, Michael can and will continue to live in his family home, where his bedroom is only inches from the master bedroom … talk about awkward!

For his part, Michael says he will leave the home, but says he needs three months to pack his belongings and get a fresh start.

“I’m getting together the means to do that,” he told HLN. “With my parents, they want me out right away, and they’re not really interested in providing reasonable time, and the court is siding with them, as it seems.”

He later did an interview with CNN about the situation, which you can view here:

Parents Try Everything

His parents filed evidence of five notices they served their son, starting in February.

One note on February 2 reads:

“After a discussion with your Mother, we have decided you must leave this house immediately. You have 14 days to vacate. You will not be allowed to return. We will take whatever actions are necessary to enforce this decision.”

Shortly after this notice, his parents decided to seek legal counsel and served another notice on February 13, granting Michael 30 days to move out or they would begin enforcement procedures.

Five days later, in another note, the parents offered some advice and gifted Michael $1,100 to help him find a new place to live.

“Some advice:

1) Organize the things you need for work and to manage an apartment. Note: You will need stuff at (redacted). You must arrange the date and time through your Father so he can set it up with the tenant.

2) Sell the other things you have that have any significant value, (e.g. stereo, some tools etc.). This is especially true for any weapons you may have. You need the money and will have no place for the stuff.

3) There are jobs available even for those with a poor work history like you. Get one – you have to work!

4) If you want help finding a place your Mother has offered to help you.”

Michael still didn’t heed the notice that it was time to move on, and according to a note dated March 5 his parents reminded him of the looming deadline of March 15, documents show.

“So far we have seen no indication that you are preparing to leave.” It adds, “Be aware that we will take any appropriate actions necessary to make sure you leave the house as demanded.”

The fifth and final notice on March 30 presents Michael some options to get his broken down vehicle off their property, and in all the options his parents offer to help pay for the repairs.

Since he still refused to leave, his parents filed for an ejectment proceeding to end what some might call a failure to launch.

Michael asked the court to dismiss the request.

He claimed that for the past eight years he “has never been expected to contribute to household expenses, or assisted with chores and the maintenance of the premises, and claims that this is simply a component of his living agreement,” according to filings obtained by CNN affiliate WSTM.

During the hearing on Tuesday, Michael represented himself and cited the case of Kosa v. Legg: “that there is ‘Common law requirement of six-month notice to quit before tenant may be removed through ejectment action.”

The Verdict

But the judge disagreed and ultimately granted the eviction.

After court, Rotondo told reporters he plans to appeal the case and finds the ruling “ridiculous.”

“It seems to me like I should be provided with, you know, 30 days or so, because generally you get 30 days after you’re found, you know, to have to vacate the premises,” he said. “So I’m expecting something like that. But realistically, if that’s not the case, I don’t know.”

Rotondo told HLN he did not know why his parents have pushed for him to leave so quickly. Things became adversarial, he said, and their relationship has suffered.

“I don’t really hope to reconcile. I really just want to get out of the situation,” he said.

Additional reporting by Amanda Jackson for CNN.

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Bridget Sharkey
Bridget Sharkey is a freelance writer covering pop culture, beauty, food, health and nature.

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