Laura E. Morris
- Partner
My admin
- Hallie Miller
As both a trial attorney and mediator, I specialize in probate court and family disputes involving trusts, estates, wills, powers of attorney, guardianships and conservatorships. Probate litigation is my entire focus, giving me an edge over other attorneys who only occasionally dip a toe into the probate-proceedings pool. I have been recognized by Best Lawyers® as the Grand Rapids Trusts and Estates Litigation Lawyer of the Year in 2021 and 2019 and have received various other honors and recognition in my area of practice. I am a fierce advocate focused on getting efficient results for my clients, and my practice extends all over Michigan.
“Going to war with family is emotionally exhausting. I take representing clients through this time in their lives very seriously. I am a tough advocate, thoroughly enjoy a good court battle, but I also am a good listener, responsive, and look for reasonable and efficient solutions to problems where I can find them. I enjoy my work and helping my clients solve their legal issues so they can move on with their lives.”
industries
practices
Approved Civil Mediator
- 2014: 40-hour training approved by State Court Administration Office
- 2016: 8-hour Advanced Mediator Training (ADR Section of State Bar of Michigan)
Probate Litigation
Laura has successfully represented clients on a broad array of disputes involving the elderly and inheritances, including:
- Trust disputes
- Will disputes
- Power of attorney disputes
- Life insurance disputes
- Joint account disputes
- Sibling disputes
- Blended family disputes
- Guardianship disputes
- Conservatorship disputes
- Disputes involving trusts and closely held businesses
- Trust/estate creditor issues
- Seeking to remove a trustee
Approved Civil Mediator
- 2014: 40-hour training approved by State Court Administration Office
- 2016: 8-hour Advanced Mediator Training (ADR Section of State Bar of Michigan)
Probate Litigation
Laura has successfully represented clients on a broad array of disputes involving the elderly and inheritances, including:
- Trust disputes
- Will disputes
- Power of attorney disputes
- Life insurance disputes
- Joint account disputes
- Sibling disputes
- Blended family disputes
- Guardianship disputes
- Conservatorship disputes
- Disputes involving trusts and closely held businesses
- Trust/estate creditor issues
- Seeking to remove a trustee or executor
- Getting more information from a trustee or executor
- Defending a trustee or executor
- Protecting an elderly person from financial abuse
- Obtaining judgments against a person who took advantage of elderly person
- Challenges to a will or trust’s validity
- Challenges to a property transfer’s validity
- Forgery issues
- Charitable git disputes
- Appointment of guardians (adult and children)
- Appointment of conservator (adult and children)
- Seeking to remove a guardian or conservator
- Modifying an existing guardianship or conservatorship
- Modifying a trust
- Obtaining court clarification of a trust’s terms
- Memorializing a family agreement
- “Emergency and Immediate Relief in the Elder Abuse Realm,” ICLE 64th Annual Probate & Estate Planning Institute Seminar, Acme, Michigan (5/16/24)
- “Practical Aspects of Late-in-Life Marriages and Divorces,” 22nd Annual Family Law Institute Seminar (ICLE), Novi, Michigan (11/16/23)
- “Family Business Succession – The Good, the Bad an
- “Emergency and Immediate Relief in the Elder Abuse Realm,” ICLE 64th Annual Probate & Estate Planning Institute Seminar, Acme, Michigan (5/16/24)
- “Practical Aspects of Late-in-Life Marriages and Divorces,” 22nd Annual Family Law Institute Seminar (ICLE), Novi, Michigan (11/16/23)
- “Family Business Succession – The Good, the Bad and the Lessons Learned,” Warner Webinar (5/23/23)
- “Michigan Association of CPAs: Forensic Accounting and Valuation Services Conference,” Troy, Michigan (5/9/23)
- “Litigation Overview,” ICLE Elder Law Institute Conference, Plymouth, Michigan (9/15/22)
- “Amendments to Court Rules,” Grand Rapids Bar Association Probate Section (12/11/19)
- “Will and Trust Litigation,” ICLE Handling Contested Probate Proceedings (10/26/17)
- “Not All Mental Capacity is Created Equal: The Various Civil Legal Standards,” Kent County Elder Abuse Coalition (3/21/17)
- “Drafting After In re Jajuga Estate,” ICLE Drafting Estate Planning Documents Seminar (1/19/17)
- “Drafting to Avoid Probate Litigation and Administration Challenges,” ICLE On-Demand Seminar (4/20/16)
- “Fiduciary Litigation Update 2015,” ICLE On-Demand Seminar (12/23/15)
- Co-Presenter at Midwest Trust & Wealth Management Conference, Trust and Estate Case Law Update (10/6/15)
- Presentation to Allegan County Council on Aging (Building Ties) regarding elder financial abuse (7/30/15)
- Co-presenter at Grand Rapids Community Foundation on impact of U.S. Supreme Court Obergefell v. Hodges decision on LGBT issues (7/28/15)
- “Fiduciary Representation: Are the Beneficiaries Your Client?,” co-presented with Tina Babel, Strafford Webinar (5/26/15)
- “Financial Elder Abuse,” Aging Well Conference, May 21, 2015, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Presented 2014 to the West Michigan Estate Planning Council (3/26/15) and Greenleaf Trust (4/1/15)
- Presented 2013 Trust & Estate Case Law Update to Chemical Bank, Comerica Bank, Fifth Third Bank, Waterway, Wilhelt, Worfel & Bronsink, Legacy Trust, and Huntington National Bank
- Presented 2012 Trust & Estate Case Law Update to Chemical Bank and Legacy Trust
- Presented 2011 Trust & Estate Case Law Update to Fifth Third Bank and Waterway, Wilhelt, Worfel & Bronsink
- Presented 2010 Trust & Estate Case Law Update to Chemical Bank, Fifth Third Bank, Huntington National Bank, Northeastern Michigan Estate Planning Council and Macatawa Bank
- Presented 2009 Trust & Estate Case Law Update to Chemical Bank, Fifth Third Bank, Founders Bank & Trust and Plante & Moran
watch my videos
- Can a Professional Guardian Delegate Their Decision-making Powers to an Employee?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Michigan Court of Appeals Clarifies Legal Standards for Interpreting Trust AgreementsMichigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- When are Probate Court Decisions and Arbitration Decisions of Probate Disputes Appealable?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- When Can the Probate Court Bypass a Nominated Personal Representative in a Will and Appoint Someone Else?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Do Estate Beneficiaries Have a Default Right to Live in Estate Property Rent Free Until the Property is Distributed?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- When is a Court Filing Considered “Frivolous,” Allowing for Court Sanctions?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Can a Court Change the Beneficiaries of a Trust if Estate Planning Changes Were Intended but not Accomplished Before Death?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Are Oral Instructions for Real Estate Transfers Enforceable in Probate Court?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Undue Influence Claims: Does Assisting an Elderly Person with Their Finances Create a Confidential/Fiduciary Relationship?Michigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- When a Non-trustee Helps Administer the TrustMichigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Two Methods to Curtail a Litigious Beneficiary in Probate CourtMichigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Powerful Procedural Tool to Recover the Assets of an Estate, Trust or an Incapacitated PersonMichigan Probate Litigation Cases & News
- Top 4 Mistakes Family Trustees MakeLegacy Matters
- ICLE 64th Annual Probate & Estate Planning Institute Seminar
- ICLE 22nd Annual Family Law Institute
- Webinar — Family Business Succession – The Good, the Bad and the Lessons Learned
- Michigan Association of CPAs: Forensic Accounting and Valuation Services Conference
- Aging Well Conference
- Warner Attorneys Selected for Multiple Honors by Best Lawyers in America®
- Warner Attorneys Selected for Multiple Honors by Best Lawyers in America®
- Warner Honored as 2022 ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award Recipient
- 108 Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America
- 105 Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America©
- 19 Warner Attorneys Named to Rising Stars List by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine
- 2020 40 Under 40 Award Recipient: Laura Morris
- Laura Morris, Jennifer Remondino Named to 40 Under 40 Business Leaders 2020 Class
- 102 Warner Attorneys Rated 2021 Best Lawyers in America
- Eighteen Warner Attorneys Named Lawyers of the Year
- 20 Warner Attorneys Named to Rising Stars List by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine
- 25 Warner Attorneys Named to Rising Stars List by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine
- One Hundred and Two Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America
- 27 Warner Attorneys Named to Rising Stars List by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine
- 24 Warner Attorneys Recognized as Top Women Lawyers by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine
- One Hundred Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America
- Eleven Warner Partners Named Lawyers of the Year
- Two Warner Partners Author Chapters of Michigan Probate Litigation
- 25 Warner Attorneys Recognized as Rising Stars
- Ninety-Seven Warner Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America
- 26 Warner Attorneys Recognized as Rising Stars
- Laura Morris to Discuss Financial Elder Abuse at Conference
- Can a Professional Guardian Delegate Their Decision-making Powers to an Employee?
- Michigan Court of Appeals Clarifies Legal Standards for Interpreting Trust Agreements
- When are Probate Court Decisions and Arbitration Decisions of Probate Disputes Appealable?
- When Can the Probate Court Bypass a Nominated Personal Representative in a Will and Appoint Someone Else?
- Do Estate Beneficiaries Have a Default Right to Live in Estate Property Rent Free Until the Property is Distributed?
- When is a Court Filing Considered “Frivolous,” Allowing for Court Sanctions?
- Can a Court Change the Beneficiaries of a Trust if Estate Planning Changes Were Intended but not Accomplished Before Death?
- Are Oral Instructions for Real Estate Transfers Enforceable in Probate Court?
- Undue Influence Claims: Does Assisting an Elderly Person with Their Finances Create a Confidential/Fiduciary Relationship?
- When a Non-trustee Helps Administer the Trust
- Two Methods to Curtail a Litigious Beneficiary in Probate Court
- Powerful Procedural Tool to Recover the Assets of an Estate, Trust or an Incapacitated Person
- Top 4 Mistakes Family Trustees Make
- Mediation in Probate Court
- Important Changes to Court Rules
- Undue Influence Claims—Getting Harder to Win
- Surviving Spouse: Till Death Do Us Part — Or Not
- Cell Phone Wills?!
- Assisted Living Care Costs
- Community Involvement
- Family Caregiver Disputes
- Sibling Agreements Without Counsel
- What We Do
- Avoiding Probate Does Not Equal Avoiding Inheritance Disputes
- Agents Beware: Risks of Serving as a Power of Attorney
- Not All Mental Capacity is Created Equal
- Halting Elder Abuse: Know Your Options
- What You Need to Know About Adding a Child to Your Bank Account
- Attorney Spotlight: Laura E. Morris Inheritance Dispute Attorney
- Whose Privilege Is It, Anyway? the Fiduciary Exception to Attorney-Client Privilege
- Wills & Trusts Litigation: 3 New Cases in a Nutshell
- “Michigan Court of Appeals Clarifies Legal Standards for Interpreting Trust Agreements,” Wealth Strategies Journal, March 2024
- “4 Common Situations that Lead to Family Disputes,” The Grand Rapids Lawyer: Celebrating Women Lawyers, March/April 2023 Issue
- “Michigan Court of Appeals Clarifies Legal Standards for Interpreting Trust Agreements,” Wealth Strategies Journal, March 2024
- “4 Common Situations that Lead to Family Disputes,” The Grand Rapids Lawyer: Celebrating Women Lawyers, March/April 2023 Issue
- “Transfer on Death Agreement Disputes: Who Ultimately Decides Who Gets the Account? Financial Institution or Probate Court?,” Michigan Probate & Estate Planning Journal (Vol. 41, No. 1), Winter, 2021
- Author, “Litigating Mental Capacity (Chapter),” Michigan Probate Litigation (Third Edition), 2017
- “Insane Delusions: The Crazy Lesser-Known Claim for Invalidating an Estate-Planning Document,” Michigan Probate & Estate Planning Journal (Vol. 33, No. 3), Summer 2014
- “Show Me the Money! The Intricacies of Joint Bank Account Litigation in Michigan,” (co-authored with David L.J.M. Skidmore), The Litigation Newsletter, Summer 2013
- “Before the Party’s Over—The Arguments For and Against Pre-Death Will Contests,” (co-authoried with David L.J.M. Skidmore), Probate & Property (Vol. 27, No. 2), March/April 2013
testimonials
“Thank you for representing us with compassion, strength, and sensibility. We were/are very appreciative of you and your services.” – K.L.
“Laura has been counsel for my wife and adult children now in a complicated and emotional legal matter. We are so impressed and grateful to have Laura represent our family. She is consummate professional: strong advocate, problem solver, subject matter expert, responsive, efficient, pragmatic and at all times extremely patient and polite. She has outstanding client communication skills and does so in clear and coherent manner. Moreover, she is a wonderful listener. I have been practicing law all over the world for almost 40 years and have not worked with any attorney with a commensurate skills set. I would strongly recommend Laura to any prospective client and I am an extremely tough grader. ” – P.J.
“I am incredibly grateful for your services. You were a blessing to our family . . . It was a pleasure to work with you.” – J.D.
“Thank you so much for all the experience, advice and patience that you brought to the table. It was 15 on a scale of ten.” – M.G.
“Thank you, Laura! We appreciate your help and are really grateful for your guidance navigating through the legal things.” – L.H.
“Thank you so much for your time and knowledge in helping us all settle this dispute peacefully.” – H.S.
“I would like to also thank you for your stellar representation!” – A. L.
“Thank you Laura for everything; we are so fortunate to have worked with you!!!” – M. Z.
“It has been a long road and truly you did some heavy lifting in this matter. I am very grateful for your assistance and partnership in seeing this through.” – J.M.
“Thank you so much Laura for your great work on this. We are so grateful! You are my hero!” – C.H.
“Thank you for laying down the law on my behalf. I am forever grateful for your services.” – K.B.
“I appreciate all your guidance and wisdom and work more than I can say. You gave me a lot of peace of mind in the way you handled things. You were very kind and communicative, and always professional.” – A.N.
“I think we have come to our professional end. I am sad in some ways and rejoice in others. You have been a marvelous counselor to us, but (isn’t there always a but?), I am glad that this chapter of life is coming to an end and look forward to the remaining chapter of life. Thank you so very much. However, if I need a lawyer I do know where to go and I do know who to recommend!” – S.H.
“Thanks again for your wonderful counsel and support. It was worth every penny!” – H.A.
“[W]e achieved pretty much everything we could have hoped. And we did this largely because of your extraordinary skills. You were also a model counsellor for me throughout this process. Thank you so much!” – T.L.
“I am extremely impressed by how you get maximum results with simple, incise action. I will certainly be sharing that in my 5 star review.” – M.P.
“Laura, I know I have told you before, but you were a life saver. Thanks again for everything you have done for our family.” – S.L.
“In short, Laura’s efforts changed my life. For years, after my mother passed away, I had been embroiled in an intractable dispute with my brother who was impeding the settlement of her estate and distribution of her trust. Laura’s advice and then legal actions brought my brother to the table and closure to this very difficult chapter of my life.” – A.R.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Ms. Laura Morris two times this year and she was always a consummate professional, extremely prepared, helpful and totally exceeded my expectations. I really had a great experience with Laura, she was extremely communicative and got back to me right away. She was also very kind and empathetic to my 86-year-old mother who was the client and that made the whole experience that much better. I feel she went above and beyond the call of duty to help us out during a very difficult time for my Mom. I couldn’t be any more impressed with Ms. Morris and I would recommend her to everyone. ” – J.E.
“I appreciated Laura’s willingness to listen to and answer all my questions (even questions and answers I was unaware of). She kept me informed of all progress and exceeded all my expectations. I would definitely recommend her services.” – M.B.
“Laura’s legal representation exceeded my expectations. I loved how cut and dry, to the point no frills approach. I feel she was honest and fair with me. The communication was great and timely. I would recommend her to everyone.” – D.K.
“I am writing to recommend Laura Morris, a partner at Warner Norcross + Judd. Recently the largest gift (exceeding six million dollars) to Ferris State University was challenged by the donor’s siblings . . . and the University needed someone with the requisite experience and skill to represent it in the litigation . . . in what turned out to be a particularly complex probate court dispute. Having been a partner at a well-known and mid-sized law firm before coming to Ferris and having an opportunity to review the work of many excellent attorneys, Laura is in my opinion one of the very finest that I have worked with and observed. . . I highly recommend Ms. Morris without reservation.” – Miles J. Postema, V.P. and General Counsel. Click here to read letter.
“Thank you so much for all your hard work. I truly appreciate your understanding and professionalism while helping me through this.” – J.R.
“Ms. Morris completely exceeded my expectations in handling my case. She buried the other side in case law and they withdrew their petition the next day. We did not have to go to court. The case was over and I won. This took less than 5 days from the first interview with Ms. Morris till it was over. She did a terrific job for me.” – B.H.
“Laura is very knowledgeable, experienced, and trustworthy. She continues to impress me when she has to correct (and train) other senior attorneys. Her negotiation skills have proven to be second to none, and with a few complicated issues she was able to achieve very good and satisfying results. Laura Morris has become my go to, and very first choice for my legal representation needs.” – T.M.
“I’m 101 years old. My son took all of my money. Laura sent documents to his attorney to get my money back and threatened he could be charged triple for what he took. I may be 101 years, but my brain is still working, and I had proof from my doctor I’m okay. Laura sent the documents to his attorney, got his attention, and I had all my money back in my account by the end of the week thanks to Laura. I am so grateful to Laura and could not have done it without her.” – A.W.