Ask a Question

Get free answers to your legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Questions Answered by Thomas. R. Morris
4 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Foreclosure for Michigan on
Q: Is it legal for a mortgage company to sell a house without informing the deed holder?

My mother and I bought a house together, with the mortgage solely in her name. After her passing, I, being on the deed, inherited survivorship rights. Unable to keep up with the mortgage payments, the house went to auction but wasn't sold. I was told I had six months to sell or move. However,... View More

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Apr 16, 2025

I think that you misunderstand what happened. It sounds to me like the property went to foreclosure sale, the mortgage holder purchased a sheriff's deed at the sale by "bidding in" the debt, the redemption period expired, and the mortgage holder became the absolute owner of the... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Civil Litigation, White Collar Crime and Criminal Law for Michigan on
Q: Is it legal for a NFP CEO to transfer funds to their own for-profit without board approval in MI?

I am concerned about the legality of a transaction made by the CEO/President of a nonprofit organization in Michigan, who transferred $150,000 of the organization's funds to a for-profit company under their control. The purpose of the transfer is unknown, and there was no board approval for... View More

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Apr 14, 2025

The transaction is questionable. We would need to review the company's articles and bylaws to identify the steps necessary to authorize such a payment, and we would need to review documentation of the payment to assess compliance with the articles and bylaws. Another issue is whether this is... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Probate and Real Estate Law for Michigan on
Q: How to value inherited property for probate in Michigan?

I inherited property from my father, who passed away in 2017. The property, jointly owned with his siblings, now has a buyer who is aware of the probate status. There was a will involved specifying how my share should be handled. I’m trying to figure out what my share is worth in order to start... View More

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Apr 1, 2025

Was the property owned by your father, aunts and/or uncles as tenants in common? I presume so, or else the survivors would own the property and your father's share terminated.

The will may govern disposition of your father's interest in the property as a tenant in common, but...
View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Civil Litigation, Probate and Real Estate Law for Michigan on
Q: How can I legally force the sale of a house co-owned with my stepdaughter in Michigan?

I am a widow, and I own a house in Michigan that I intended to flip. My husband, who is now deceased, added his daughter to the deed solely for cheaper insurance purposes. I am also on the deed, and I am the sole person on the mortgage. My stepdaughter believes the house is hers and is living... View More

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Mar 13, 2025

Partition or partition sale is the name of the legal action to be instituted. However, I don't understand the state of title. Did you and your husband own the property as husband and wife? Did both of you sign the deed to add his daughter to the title? If you both owned it and only he... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Family Law and Estate Planning for Michigan on
Q: What happens to joint mortgage if one spouse dies in Michigan?

If a husband and wife in Michigan jointly own a house and one spouse passes away, what happens if the surviving spouse has enough income to cover the mortgage payments but cannot qualify for the existing mortgage due to loss of income? The mortgage is in both names, there is a little life... View More

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Feb 28, 2025

Once the loan has been made and the mortgage granted, "qualification" for the loan is not an issue, provided that the loan is a standard residential mortgage. Some commercial loans, in contrast, have financial covenants that are an ongoing obligation on the part of the business to... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law and Contracts for Michigan on
Q: Is spending from joint account considered stealing in marriage?

I have a debit card in my name and am on the checks for a joint account that is technically in my husband's name. Although mostly his paycheck goes into the account, we might have added some mutual money as well. We are not separated or going through a divorce. My husband claims that if I... View More

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Feb 27, 2025

No, he is not correct. The bank is authorized to honor a withdrawal or check drawn by either account holder. It is possible for the joint account holders to have an agreement between them as to the use of the funds, so your spending might violate an agreement, which one might call... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking and Contracts for Michigan on
Q: Is it legal for my parent to take money from my joint account without consent?

I am an 18-year-old and had a joint account with my parent. My parent took over $500 from the account without my consent. Although the bank advised me to open a new account solely in my name, I did not give my parent permission to use the funds after turning 18, and there was no agreement regarding... View More

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Feb 20, 2025

Banking law prevents you from suing the bank for honoring the request by a joint account owner for money from the account. I don't believe that a joint account owner commits a crime by taking money from the account that is legally his money. That leaves two questions: 1. Could you sue... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Personal Injury for Michigan on
Q: Legal actions for verbal house purchase and threats.

I bought a house from a friend through a verbal agreement and paid him $18,000. He was supposed to pay the back taxes, but he didn't fulfill this obligation, and now I'm at risk of losing the house due to unpaid taxes. I also discovered that he didn't own the property nor was it in... View More

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Feb 19, 2025

If the conveyance was by a warranty deed, the seller breached one or more warranties and you could sue to enforce the warranties. There may be a claim for breach of contract as well.

The criminal matter should be referred to the police. You could sue him based upon the threats of arson...
View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Michigan on
Q: My neighbor passed away and left me her mobile home and car but she didn't notarize her will
Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Jan 31, 2025

Under Michigan law, a will does not have to be notarized. See MCL 700.2502 for the requirements. It is reprinted below. Having a valid will is the first requirement. You will also need to have the will probated.

700.2502 Execution; witnessed wills; holographic wills.

Sec. 2502....
View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Construction Law for Michigan on
Q: I paid a contractor to do my bathroom Dec 2 starting date still not being complete what can I do

I have a written contract

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Dec 23, 2024

The contractor may have breached the contract by failing to begin the project as promised, but the issue from the perspective of an attorney is whether enforcement of the contract in the courts is cost-effective. It is probably not cost effective. To threaten litigation might convince the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Michigan on
Q: Can I have my wages Garnished if I never received a court date for a lawsuit against me?

Credit Acceptance sued me for a loan that they doubled. I never got a court date for the law suit or anything after for any other court dates for wage and tax garnishments. They are taking HALF of my paycheck every week.

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Dec 3, 2024

If you were not served with the summons and complaint, you may have a basis for setting aside the judgment and stopping the garnishment. Also, a wage garnishment is limited to 25% of your net take-home pay. However, you need to file something with the court to raise these issues, and most people... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for Michigan on
Q: CA Corp was converted to MI. Can I list CA mailing address in contracts considering governing law clause?

My CA Corp was converted to MI, but I still use a CA mailing address. Can I list my CA mailing address in contracts? or add some distinction and add the MI address?

For instance: "by and between Rustoleum Works (the "Client"), of 436 Kings Way, Santa Barbara, CA 90678, and... View More

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Sep 5, 2024

The use of a Michigan address is not necessarily required, but it does help to solidify the jurisdiction clause. The wording of your jurisdiction clause could be improved because if there is federal diversity action, the litigation won't be in Oakland County since the federal court does not... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Business Law for Michigan on
Q: I have transferred my property to an LLC and i want to make sure my personal assets are protected. see more info.

My name is still located on the loan and mortgage statement as the primary, but the house has been quit claim deeded to my LLC, sole member.

I'm also listed as additionally insured on the rental dwelling insurance. My main reason for transferring was to separate my personal assets... View More

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Aug 28, 2024

it sounds like you have taken a step towards limiting your liability for the operation of the rental property. There remains the possibility that you could be personally liable for accidents or other events associated with the rental property. This is one reason to have insurance.

Another...
View More

3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Landlord - Tenant and Probate for Michigan on
Q: Does it void an eviction if the house goes in to probate after the eviction was ordered

My sister served me with a eviction papers after my mom passed away and the courts ordered the eviction and now my lawyer is sending it the house in the probate. Does that cancel out my eviction do I have to leave my house?

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Mar 21, 2024

More information is needed to answer this question. It is not apparent whether your sister had the authority to sue for eviction. Was she the owner of the house? Whether the probate action will result in different ownership is another question. Were that action to result in the recognition of... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Michigan on
Q: My so is buying a condo in michigan on land contract. He put $22,000 down payment on $90,000 and paid all his payments

For 1 year. Then, he had a car accident and is paralyzed from the neck down. He probably won't return to the condo to live for at least a year or two. Can he get any of his deposit back or does he lose everything?

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Jan 17, 2024

It may be possible to negotiate a resolution with the seller. It may be that the land contract permits the buyer to rescind the purchase in the event of a disability, but I have never seen that in a land contract. The law does not provide for the buyer to be able to rescind a land contract... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Michigan on
Q: A title company called to ask me to sign a quick deed for some land that I was going to buy last year. I didn't buy it.

Seems that my name is on the title, but I canceled the sell before putting any money down. Does this mean I own the land now? If I sign the quick deed, will I be somehow punished in the future for taxes or something else?

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Jan 8, 2024

If a deed was recorded in your favor, you may own it. With ownership comes responsibility, as you observe. There is not enough information provided for an attorney to give a meaningful response, so you may want to consult with an attorney before executing a quit-claim deed and thereby giving up... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Michigan on
Q: I have a quit claim deed from my aunt. What do we do when she passes to prevent the home from being ransacked by relati

What about extended stay in the hospital? Other relatives have keys.

Do we need a lawyer to change the locks? Install cameras? It transfers ownership immediately.

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Jan 2, 2024

You seem to be unsure about your rights and responsibilities. If you intend to treat the quit claim deed as effective, record it with the register of deeds, take control of the home (including changing the locks) and act like an owner. You do not need a lawyer to change the locks unless there are... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Insurance Defense, Personal Injury and Contracts for Michigan on
Q: Dealership driving my car got windshield damaged by rock. Whose insurance should make the claim?

I allowed a dealership to drive my car to another body shop, and during the commute, a rock hit my windshield by chance, causing damage. The dealership told me to file a claim with my auto insurance. However, I'm unsure if that's the correct approach, as I believe their insurance should... View More

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Apr 18, 2025

The dealer was a bailee required to to use ordinary care. Unless the dealer was negligent, and it does not sound like there is negligence by the dealer, the loss is yours and you should contact your insurance company.

This information is provided for discussion and does not constitute...
View More

2 Answers | Asked in Collections for Michigan on
Q: Can a debt collector sue after 6 years of non-payment?

I have a debt for college fraternity dues that I haven't paid since before October 2018. I haven't acknowledged the debt in writing and have not received any legal notices from them. The collector only contacts me through phone calls. Can the collector still sue me for this debt after over 6 years?

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Apr 1, 2025

The collector can sue, but if you properly raise the statute of limitations as a defense, and no payment was made on the debt in the last six years, you should win. You may have to defend the suit to assert this defense.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Michigan on
Q: Can property be declared as one's own after 20 years of possession in Michigan?

I would like to know if someone can declare a property as their own if they have had possession of it for 20 years, without any documentation or legal actions currently related to the property.

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Mar 25, 2025

Yes, if the elements required for adverse possession are met. The basic elements are open, notorious and hostile. Thus for example, if you occupy property with the permission of the owner, your possession is not hostile. We would need more facts to comment on your particular situation.

View More Answers

Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.