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 purchased a piece of land, basically for my son. Both of our names are on the title - taxes are overdue, again.

22 September 2017

A: A lawsuit seeking partition should be considered. You should consult with an attorney.

Q. i have a bk lawyer. is it ok to have another one review my case if I want to pay the 2nd lawyer?

18 September 2017

A: You are entitled to obtain a second opinion, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. (Unless you want to treat someone telling you otherwise as a second opinion).

Q. I'm a landlord in MI and need to know if i'm legally responsible to send a receipt for paid rent within a certain time.

4 September 2017

A: There's no state-law requirement whoch requires that a landlord send a statement. Is this residential property and where is it located? You should determine whether ther's a local ordinance that is applicable.

Q. If I am the successor in interest on a home because of death, can I put this home in bankruptcy, chapter 13

2 September 2017

A: People and business entities can file bankruptcy. A house cannot. However, it may be possible to obtain relief or to restructure debt associated with the house. You should consult with an attorney to assess your situation.

Q. Can I stop an order granting trustee objection to debtors claim of exemptions and motion for turnover, chapter 7

30 August 2017

A: Your question is too broad and vague to be answered here. You need to consult with an attorney.

Q. My brother and I bought a house in 2011, it is in both our names. He passed away in July.

16 August 2017

A: If you owned the house jointly, you, as the survivor, own it outright now. To convey it you simply need to record the appropriate deed and a certified copy of the death certificate. The quit-claim deed is in this case unnecessary. If you owned the house as tenants in common, you should consult with an attorney. It's not possible from the information you provided to properly advise you. You may want to consult with an attorney or your tax advisor as to the tax ramifications of the different options for taking title to the property. Also, make sure that you understand the PRE and homestead declaration forms.

Q. My dad sold property to his step daughter on a verbal agreement - can he place a lien against the land for non payment?

9 August 2017

A: Probably not. A consensual lien on Michigan real property is called a mortgage. If the stepdaughter did not grant a mortgage, then there's no consensual lien. The law provides also for various non-consensual liens, like a tax lien, a construction lien under the Construction Lien Act, or a judgment lien under the Judgment Lien Act. If your dad were to sue and obtain a judgment, then he could file a judgment lien. But he cannot on his own and without legal authority "place a lien", other than by recording a properly executed mortgage, on someone else's real property. He can demand payment, and he can file a lawsuit to recover a judgment. Those are his basic options.

Q. Can a Claim of Interest be filed with the Register of Deeds on real estate without any kind of judgment or legal ruling?

8 August 2017

A: I have seen the "claim of interest" abuse with costly results. Your problem sound complicated, and the facts you stated do not permit a simple answer. You should consult with an attorney.

Q. How to update LLC operational agreement to reflect change of ownership.

27 July 2017

A: If you are confident in your ability to use the language and in the simplicity of the legal issues, do it yourself. But an attorney who has seen none of the documents and has not had the opportunity to ask questions cannot confidently draft some clauses to be carried off by you. This may well be simple, but you should probably consult an attorney.