My question involves employment and labor law for the state of: California
Hi,
A long time ago, I started a thread which was somewhat helpful, but I think I never gave the full details.
My mother has own a small business for about 15 years. She got a divorce for a previous marriaged and her ex left gave her a property,title and left her paying the morgage) for my sister and me (He was my step-father). About a year later, she met someone and got married with him. That was like 13 years ago. The new husband also worked in the store with us.
During those 13 years, they bought a couple of business. Two house properties- One under his name only. And another with both of their names. Two businesses- One with both of their names. And the other with the name of my mother and the brother of my step-father (As ironical as it sounds, my mother decided to put her brother in-law to protect against any claim related to child support from a daughter of my step-father). My step-father purchased a hidding property and also placed the property under his name only. We found out of this hidden asset through a friend of the family.
Now, after he wants a divorce. He wants half of the property my mother had before marriage. He wants to keep the property all the properties under his name alone. And wants to share the rest 1/2. He also wants 1/2 of the business which they purchased in which the in-law was placed to substitute him to protect from child support.
As you might all see, this is totally unfair, especially as to the property mother had before marriage. And also, considering, that the business was already ours to begin with. He made no investment at to capital for the business.
During all those years they were happily married, I helped out in the family business. I had no salary. I was only promised I would also benefit from helping them out. The promised was that I would also get a property when I left home. Now, Im 23 years old, in college, and with the desire of pursuing a career in law.
As I was previously told, I have no claim as to the divorce. However, I believe, I deserved at least the minimum wage allow by law for those hours spent working more than 50 hours a week, for the last 13 years. I know it sounds absurb, but just to make it reasonable, since I was 18 years old. Six years have passed since.
I only want to protect the interest of my mother and mine. Mostly my mother who has worked so hard as to have her ex do this to us, especially her property she had before marriage.
I want to sue them both. I want to sue for the last 6 years, since I turned 18 and was still promised I would obtain a property or benefit from working for them.
Calculating this with the minimim wage allow by law, it would look like this.
8.75 x 50hrs a week= 437.50
437.50 x 4 weeks=1,750.00
1,750.00 x 12 months=21,000.00
21,000.00 x 6 years=126,000.00
Under what grounds, aside from unpaid labor can I sue? Is this a strong or weak case? Also, if there is an attorney, willing and located in the central valley who might think can handle either my case or the divorce, please send me a private message.
Thank You. I really appreciate your help!

