Thomas J. Tucker
How Judge Tucker rules, drawn from 37 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
About Judge Tucker
Thomas J. Tucker serves on recall as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan. The court extended his recall term through August 6, 2027, with his assigned cases remaining on his docket.
Judge Tucker's practices and standing orders
Rules for cases before Judge Tucker, as published on the court's website (checked October 10, 2026). Judges revise these often, so confirm the current version on the court's site before you file.
Key rules
Contacting chambers
Do not fax chambers unless Judge Tucker specifically requests it.
“Faxes to chambers are not permitted unless specifically requested by the Judge.”
Contacting chambers
Use filed pleadings for written requests; letters to the judge are discouraged.
“Letters to the Judge are discouraged; written communications should be made only by pleadings.”
Trial
Trials and evidentiary hearings take place in person in the courtroom.
“All trials and evidentiary hearings will be held in person in the courtroom, rather than by telephone.”
Standing orders for every case in this court
Orders the court applies to all of its cases, whichever judge has them, as published on the court's website (checked October 10, 2026).
How Judge Tucker decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In an automatic-stay dispute, the court held that a Chapter 7 trustee could seek monetary relief under section 105(a) even though the trustee could not use the individual remedy in section 362(k)(1).
“But a Chapter 7 trustee may obtain the equivalent monetary relief under § 105(a).”
In a fraudulent-transfer summary judgment dispute, the court rejected an asserted loan repayment defense because the defendant presented no supporting evidence.
“Because Defendant McLemore has presented no evidence whatsoever to support his asserted loan repayment defense, the Court must conclude that there is no genuine issue of fact”
Procedural preferences
In a dispute over requests for admission, the court declined to set aside admissions because the defendant had answered the requests and none had been deemed admitted.
“This motion will be denied because there are no such deemed admissions by the Defendant”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“ORDER GRANTING THE DEBTOR’S MOTION TO REOPEN CASE”
“The Debtor’s request for a waiver of the filing fee for the Motion is granted.”
Order Dismissing Case, and Barring the Debtor from Filing Any New Bankruptcy Case Unless and Until He First Pays in Full the Filing Fee for this Case.
“ORDER DENYING DEBTOR’S MOTION TO REOPEN CASE”
“WAIVING MOTION FILING FEE”
“the Court will grant the Sale Motion”
“GRANTING, IN PART, THE PARTIAL MOTION TO DISMISS”
“SUSTAINING, IN PART, THE PLAINTIFF’S OBJECTION TO THE CLAIM”
“Defendants’ Objections to the Garnishment Writ (Docket ## 83, 85) are overruled”
“Plaintiff's Enforcement Motion (Docket # 99) is granted”
Order Dismissing Case.
Order Dismissing Case, and Barring the Debtor from Filing Any New Bankruptcy Case Unless and Until the Debtor First Pays in Full the Filing Fees for Case Nos. 15-56062 and 15-57204.
Order Requiring the Debtor’s Attorney, James P. Frego, II, to Pay $250.00 to the Clerk of the Court, as a Sanction for Filing this Case.
Order Dismissing Case.
“denying the two motions to exclude expert evidence”
“granting summary judgment for the Defendants”
Order Dismissing Case.
Draft for Judge Tucker with the record in hand
Ezel grounds your drafting and research in this profile: what has persuaded Judge Tucker, and what has not, cited to the signed orders.
Opens in Ezel Pro.
- Grounded in Judge Tucker's own signed orders
- Cites every source it relies on, so you can verify it
- Chat, drafting and research in one workspace