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Trent Harris

Trent Harris

Attorney at Law Office of Trent Harris
  • Estate Planning
  • Illinois, Michigan
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Biography

Hello! My name is Thomas Trent Harris and I go by my middle name, Trent. I was born and raised in Jackson, Michigan and went to the Jackson Public Schools, graduating from Jackson High School in 1995. I earned my bachelor's degree from Albion College in 1999 and my juris doctor degree from Chicago Kent College of Law in 2008. I am licensed to practice in Michigan and Illinois, and my law practice today is focused almost completely on estate planning for individuals, families, and business owners.

Practice Area
    Estate Planning
    Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
Fees
  • Free Consultation
    Free telephone consultation up to 30 minutes
  • Credit Cards Accepted
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    Payments by credit or debit card will include a 3% surcharge to cover card processing fees.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Illinois
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Michigan
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Attorney
Law Office of Trent Harris
- Current
Founded small law firm to represent individuals in the areas of estate planning, probate, and real estate transactions.
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.
Education
Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology
J.D. (2008)
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Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology Logo
Albion College
(1999) Dual major in Economics & Management and Philosophy
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Honors: Cum Laude
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Awards
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.
Professional Associations
State Bar of Michigan  # P73799
Member
Current
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Chicago Bar Association
- Current
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Speaking Engagements
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.
Websites & Blogs
Website
Crossroads Legal, PLLC
Legal Answers
279 Questions Answered
Q. If I die and not married but have minor (under 18) children and my boyfriend (no kids) is on the deed of my house with
A: The answer to this question is "it depends." It depends on whether you both own the house as joint tenants with right of survivorship, or whether you own the house as tenants in common. And it also depends on whether you have any estate plan documents such as a will, trust, or lady bird deed that would purport to pass your property at death. Since none of this information was given in your question, no one can really say what will happen to your house. The best thing for you to do would be to make an appointment with a local estate planning attorney so you can get individualized advice, based on all the relevant factors that apply to your situation.
Q. Property acquired through quitclaim deed has transferability restrictions to heirs at law, but the grantor is deceased.
A: The restrictive language you mentioned in the deed may not be enforceable under Michigan law under Michigan Land Title Standard 9.1. I suggest you contact a title company to obtain a title commitment for the property. The title commitment will tell you what steps you may need to take (if any) before you can sell the property. It may end up that you can just disregard the language about heirs in the deed.
Q. Michigan estate attorney has taken over 8 months to finish a deed for inherited property. What can I do.
A: This sounds like a dispute you have with the attorney about whether the attorney has completed the work you hired the attorney to do. If you are unhappy with your attorney's work, then I would first look to your retainer agreement with the attorney, if you have one. Your retainer agreement should spell out what work the attorney is going to perform for the client, how much the attorney will charge, and how long the work will take. It should also ideally describe how disputes between the client and the attorney will be handled, how each party can terminate or withdraw from the representation, and whether and how any money paid to the attorney might be refundable to the client.

If you don't have a retainer agreement with your attorney, then you need to talk to your attorney about the above issues. If you are unsatisfied with the attorney's work you could request a refund of any money paid for the incomplete work, and you could request termination of the representation so you could find a new attorney.

Attorney-client disputes should be attempted to be resolved between the client and attorney first. If no resolution can be reached and you don't just want to let the matter go, then you could ask a court to intervene.
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Contact & Map
Office
404 S. Jackson St.
Jackson, MI 49201
Telephone: (517) 240-4236
Monday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 9 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Wednesday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 9 AM - 5 AM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Notice: In-person meetings by appointment only. Please call ahead if you will be stopping by my office.