
Trent Harris
Bankruptcy, collections, estate planning, and probate lawyer in Jackson, MI
I'm a bankruptcy, collections, estate planning, and probate lawyer practicing in Jackson, Michigan. Born and raised in Jackson, Michigan, I've been a lawyer since 2008 and have spent most of that time in private practice as a solo practitioner. I also have worked several years working for a bank as in-house counsel handling debt collections and Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy matters.
I help individuals and families plan for and navigate legal issues in some of the most significant financial and legal events in their lives: births, deaths, marriages, divorces, job losses, illnesses, hospitalizations, long-term-care, and other major life events. My approach to clients features personalized attention, prompt communication, efficient service, and discretion at all times. I am admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in the State of Michigan.
Memberships:
Jackson County Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association
Jackson Area Estate Planning Council
Probate and Estate Planning Section, Michigan State Bar
Consumer Law Section, Michigan State Bar
Education:
J.D., Chicago Kent College of Law, 2008
B.A., Albion College, 1999
Diploma, Jackson High School, 1995
- Bankruptcy
- Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Debt Relief
- Collections
- Estate Planning
- Guardianship & Conservatorship, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
- Probate
- Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
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Free Consultation
I offer free consultations by telephone. - Credit Cards Accepted
- Illinois
- Michigan
- English: Spoken, Written
- Attorney
- Crossroads Legal, PLLC
- - Current
- Founded consumer law firm to represent individuals in the areas of bankruptcy, collections, estate planning, probate, and employment law.
- Collections Attorney
- American 1 Credit Union
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- I represented the credit union in collections and consumer bankruptcy matters in courts throughout Michigan.
- Attorney
- Law Office of Trent Harris, PLC
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- I represented clients in estate planning, probate, real estate, and small business matters, mostly for transactional/drafting matters, but also some litigation.
- Legal Intern
- Allegiance Health
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- Worked as a legal intern supporting the Associate General Counsel of a mid-size regional hospital system. Worked mostly on contract and compliance matters.
- Paralegal
- Scarpelli & Brady, LLC
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- Worked as a paralegal for a five-attorney insurance defense litigation firm in Park Ridge, Illinois.
- Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology
- J.D. (2008)
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- Albion College
- (1999) Dual major in Economics & Management and Philosophy
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- Honors: Cum Laude
- CALI Award
- Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology
- Received CALI Award for Law 273 - Evidence from professor Justice David A. Erickson for spring semester of 2007.
- Dean's List
- Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology
- Recognized on Dean's List - spring 2007 and fall 2007 semesters.
- Dean's List
- Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology
- Recognized on Dean's List - Fall 2006 semester.
- State Bar of Michigan  # P73799
- Member
- Current
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- Jackson County Bar Association
- - Current
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- Chicago Bar Association
- - Current
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- Bylaws are Mylaws, Nonprofit Network 2011 Governance Workshop, Community Action Agency, Jackson, MI
- Nonprofit Network
- Presentation discussing the role, relevance, and importance of bylaws to the board of directors and management of nonprofit organizations.
- Website
- Crossroads Legal, PLLC
- Q. Wondering about the legal process for removing a dismissed chapter 13 that was never meant to be filed?
- A: You cannot remove the fact that you filed a chapter 13 bankruptcy from your credit report. You filed the chapter 13 - it happened, it's a fact. You can't "unring the bell" and change the facts at this point. A credit reporting agency has no obligation to remove or change correct information that appears on your credit report. Only false or misleading information can be removed. But since your chapter 13 case is negative information on your credit report, it will come off your report after 7 years per the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
- Q. How long do you have,in Michigan, to petition the probate court, after a death?
- A: You can open probate anytime there are assets that need to be administered or another reason exists why a personal representative should be appointed. There is no deadline. Some probate estates are not opened until decades after the person passes away, for example to clear up title to real estate.