Thomas. R. Morris

B.A., International Relations, James Madison College, Michigan State University. J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 1986. Practice concentrated in bankruptcy, commercial law, business law, workouts, real estate and complex situations.

• Appeals & Appellate
• Bankruptcy
• Business Law
• Collections
• Foreclosure Defense
• International Law

• Free Consultation
  The depth and duration of the free consultation depends upon the nature and scope of the potential engagement.
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Standard hourly rate is $350.

Michigan

Since 1986

6th Circuit

Since 1986

member

Silverman & Morris, P.L.L.C.

2003 - Current

shareholder

Shefferly, Silverman & Morris

1990 - 2003

attorney

Schlussel, Lifton

1985 - 1989

University of Michigan Law School

J.D.

1983 - 1986

Michigan State University

B.A. | international relations

1978 - 1982

James Madison College

listing 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

Superlawyers

Creditor/Debtors Rights Committee, Business Law Section, State Bar of Michigan

member

2008 - Current

American Bankruptcy Institute

member

1996 - Current

Activities: Occasional lecturer.

State Bar of Michigan, Business Law Section, Creditor/Debtor Rights Committee

member

1987 - Current

Business Law Section Council

member

2009 - 2015

The Michigan Exemption Initiative

Michigan Business Law Journal

July, 2011

The History and Futrure of Michigan Debtor Exemptions

Michigan Business Law Journal

July, 2010

Representing Small Business Debtors in Bankruptcy

ICLE

2009

The Discharge of "Trustee" Debts: Defining the Term "Fiduciary Capacity" under Bankruptcy Code section 523(a)(4)

Michigan Business Law Journal

March, 2008

Judgment Liens Against Real Property: H.B. 4941 Proposes Major Changes

Michigan Real Property Review

June, 2000

Individual Chapter 11 Reorganizations , ABI Central States conference , Traverse City, Michigan

June 14, 2013

American Bankruptcy Institute

moderator and speaker

Q. I put a tree in an alley way which is now condemned. My neighbor is claiming them now. Is there a way I can move them?

26 May 2020

A: You probably mean that the alley was vacated. A tree, once planted, becomes part of the land. It belongs to the landowner. That’s the simple answer, but there are possible exceptions. For example, rights to timber can be owned separately. I think that your neighbor owns the trees.

Q. If I sign a lease but can't move in, am I liable for all rent due for the term of the lease?

7 May 2020

A: It may be true. If you want to avoid liability you could insist that the lease provide for your option to terminate it if you don't receive the visa. If it's too late and the lease has already been signed, you could try to sublet the leased premises. We would have to examine the lease to determine whether you would have liability.

Q. I'm buying a house that has a tenant living in the house. The purchase agreement was in place before the governor place

29 April 2020

A: Once the closing of the sale occurs and you become the owner of the property, you will be legally entitled to evict the occupants. Whether and when the district court will process and enforce an eviction becomes the issue. Evictions are being adjourned until after May 1, or some other date, by the district courts. You need to determine the precise status of operations for the district court where the property is located. If your purchase agreement provides for you to receive possession at closing, however, consider insisting that the tenant be out before you close.