Tuohy Family Responds to Faked Adoption For Millions Allegations

Celebrity lawyer Christopher C. Melcher, who is ranked as a best family law attorney in California, explains how the Tuohy Family is responding to the faked adoption for millions allegations on CBS News.

For former NFL player Michael Oher, the truth blindsided him when he says he learned his family was not legally his own.

What Michael Oher’s Lawsuit Entails

In a lawsuit filed in Tennessee Monday Oher alleges that when he was 18 he was tricked into signing legal papers as part of the adoption process. Last February, he says he learned they were conservatorship papers granting Leanne Tuohy and Sean Tuohy guardianship, which means quote, ultimate control of all his contracts while providing him no familial relationship with the Tuohys. But now Oher is suing to end the conservatorship by the Tuohys from using his name and likeness and what he says as a share of the money they earned from his story.

The Blind Side Movie

Oher’s remarkable tale was portrayed in the hit Oscar winning movie, The Blind Side.

The then teen who had an unstable home life was taken in by Leanne Tuohy, played by Sandra Bullock, and her family before starring in college football and the NFL, the film earning more than $300 million. But the petition states Oher received no compensation for the film that would not have existed without him. Meanwhile, the Tuohys, and their children allegedly received hundreds of thousands of dollars. Oher has long questioned his portrayal in the film.

“I think it took away the hard work and the dedication that I created, from a child and going to school in the third grade, getting myself up, first one in the locker room, last one out. I think the biggest for me is, you know, being portrayed not being able to read or write,” states Oher.

Conservatorship Abuse Cases

The Tuohys have continued to publicly refer to Oher as their adopted son, top family law attorney and conservatorship expert Christopher C. Melcher explains.

“In these conservatorship abuse cases, there’s a position of trust where one adult gives over this power to the other adult believing that they have their best interests at heart or not even understanding what they’re signing. He was an adult at that time. There’s no reason for him to have to surrender those rights,” explains the celebrity lawyer.

Tuohy Family’s Response to Allegations

Now, CBS news has reached out to the Tuohy family. We’ve not yet heard back, but Sean Tuohy told the Daily Mail newspaper that the allegations are quote, insulting. He says The family didn’t make much money off the movie and that the family is devastated by this lawsuit. He also added that he would end the conservatorship if that’s what Oher wants. And we should say, Michael said in a statement “I will let the lawsuit speak for itself and we’ll offer no further comment,” but a real surprise here.

Well, it does, it does sound like Oher wants the conservatorship to end. And I’m just so sad at this turn of events. Number one, I love the movie mainly I love Sandra Bullock, so I love everything that she does. But to think that Michael didn’t get anything from the movie is very surprising to me. It is quite shocking how this plays out…