There comes a time when you need to cut the apron strings and strike out on your own, outside the family nest.
This time is preferably way before your parents take actual legal action to evict you from their property!
This is the fate faced by 30-year-old Michael Rotondo from Camillus, New York, who moved back home eight years ago after losing his job. His parents had grown tired of sheltering their adult son and decided to turf him out.
However, rather than taking the hint and hopping on the website Spareroom, Michael point blank refused to leave; prompting his parents to take more drastic measures.
Dad Mark made their wishes crystal clear, with an initial letter dated 2 February 2018:
After a discussion with your Mother, we have decided that you must leave this house immediately.
Michael continued to resist and on 18 February 2018, his mother Christina wrote him another, even firmer letter:
Michael Joseph Rotondo, You are hereby evicted from 408 Weatheridge Drive, Camillus, New York effective immediately,
Any action you take that can be construed as threatening or harassing…us or prevents or obstructs our ability to use the house or property at 408 Weatheridge Drive as we see fit will result in your immediate removal from the premises.
Find out more about this heated legal battle for yourself in the video below:
The letters included some very pointed life and career advice, as well as offers of financial assistance and help with finding a new place.
However, resolute homebird Michael would not be swayed even after the following sharp jibe:
There are jobs available, even for those with a poor work history like you. Get one – you have to work!
Ouch.
By April, the desperate couple resorted to attempting to evict their long grown-up son through the Camillus Town Court.
Unfortunately, they were informed a Supreme Court justice was needed in order to evict a family member, even if the evictee in question had been an adult since before the iPhone was a thing.
And so it was, this domestic dispute escalated to New York City vs. Kris Kringle proportions – without the addition of any adorable reindeer.
As of May 7 2018, Christina and Mark filed a petition in Onondaga County’s highest court to order Michael’s removal.
The couple’s lawyer, Anthony Adorante, told Syracuse.com how they didn’t know what else could be done to shoo Michael away.
According to ABC News, Judge Donald Greenwood ruled Michael must now vacate the family home.
Judge Greenwood also asked adult protective services to look further at the case due to his concerns about what’s going on at the home.
Indignant Michael – who represented himself – has said he’ll appeal the decision, stating before the court:
This is outrageous!
Michael has claimed he wasn’t given a long enough notice period to leave, stating how six months would have been a more realistic time frame.
He’s also said the $1,100 (£819) he received from his parents had proved to be insufficient when finding a place of his own.
I can only imagine how tense Sunday dinners are right now in the Rotondo household…
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Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.