If you own an office building or a retail strip center in Texas and a tenant stops paying rent, your first instinct might be to file a formal eviction lawsuit. However, seasoned commercial landlords and their attorneys often take a much more direct route. In the world of Texas commercial real estate, the formal eviction […]
Author: Philip Silberman
How to Amend a TX LLC
Amending your LLC is a common part of business growth. Whether you are bringing on a new member, selling the company to an employee, or simply updating your internal structure, knowing which documents to change and which to leave alone can save you time and unnecessary state filing fees. Internal vs. External: The Role of […]
Big Changes to Texas Eviction Laws in 2026
The legal landscape for Texas landlords and tenants has undergone a significant transformation this year. With the 2026 updates to Texas Property Code Chapter 24, the rules governing the eviction process have been streamlined, though not without controversy. From digital notices to “shortcut” judgments, these changes affect everything from how a case is filed to […]
How to Serve Someone Who is Avoiding Service
When you file a lawsuit, the law requires that the defendant be formally notified through a process called “service of process.” In most cases, this involves a professional process server or a constable physically handing the legal documents to the defendant. However, what happens when the defendant knows the lawsuit is coming and decides to […]
Should I Answer a Lawsuit If I Have Not Been Served?
Defendants commonly learn that they have been sued before receiving official service. You might have seen the filing on a public portal, or perhaps you’ve spotted a process server lingering near your driveway. The temptation to avoid service by dodging the process server can be strong. However, in the Texas legal system, hiding from a […]
Residuary Clauses in Wills
In estate planning, we often focus on specific bequests—the heirlooms, the family home, or the sentimental jewelry we want to leave to specific people. But what happens to everything else? What about the contents of your junk drawer, the change in your car’s console, or a bank account you opened years after signing your will? […]
What Happens If Your Tenant Owes Over $20,000 in Rent?
In Texas, the process for evicting a tenant can be distinct from the process for collecting unpaid rent. While most landlords prefer to handle both issues in one place, a unique legal wall exists when the back rent exceeds the jurisdictional limits of the local court. If your tenant owes more than $20,000, you are […]
How Trial Dockets Work
For most people, the word “trial” brings to mind a specific date and time perhaps a Tuesday at 9:00 AM when the judge bangs the gavel and the proceedings begin. While some courts do operate on a date certain basis, the reality in many Texas civil courts is much more fluid. Understanding the trial docket […]
Title Insurance vs. Casualty Insurance
When purchasing a home in Texas, you will encounter various types of insurance requirements. Two of the most common and most frequently confused are title insurance and casualty insurance (often called homeowner’s insurance). While both provide financial protection, they operate on entirely different timelines and cover vastly different risks. Understanding these differences is crucial for […]
What Does Title Insurance Cover?
When you buy a home in Texas, you aren’t just purchasing bricks and mortar; you are purchasing the encumbrance free right to the land. Title insurance is the safety net that ensures the person selling you the home actually has the legal right to do so and that no one else can show up later […]