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 […]
Author: Philip Silberman
Schedule C of the Title Commitment Explained
When you are under contract to buy a home in Texas, the title company will issue a document called a Title Commitment. This document is essentially a promise from the title company to issue an insurance policy provided certain conditions are met. While there are four main parts (Schedules A, B, C, and D), Schedule […]
How Small Claims Courts Work in Texas
One of the most frustrating hurdles in the legal system is the economic barrier to entry. If you are owed $5,000, paying a $5,000 retainer to an attorney to recover that debt simply doesn’t make sense. Fortunately, the Texas legal system provides a specific venue designed for these exact scenarios: the Justice of the Peace […]
How Attorney Conflicts Work
In the legal profession, a “conflict of interest” is more than just a red flag; it is a foundational ethical boundary that protects the integrity of the attorney-client relationship. While some conflicts are obvious, others require a sophisticated level of analysis to ensure that an attorney is truly acting in their client’s best interest. Litigation […]
Tips When Foreign Persons Own Texas LLCs
Starting a Texas-based LLC with a mix of U.S. citizens and foreign investors is a common way to launch a business. While the state of Texas is generally “open for business” regardless of where the owners reside, the legal and tax landscape shifts significantly when non-U.S. persons are involved. If you are a foreign investor […]
Should You Hire a Lawyer When Buying a House in Texas?
For most Texans, purchasing a home is the single largest investment they will ever make. While real estate agents are essential to the process of finding a home and navigating the initial offer, they are not licensed to provide legal advice. Many buyers wonder if the standard paperwork is safe enough to sign on its […]
The $10 Deed Tradition in Texas
If you have ever reviewed a Texas deed, whether it’s a General Warranty Deed or a Special Warranty Deed, you likely noticed a peculiar phrase regarding the purchase price. Instead of seeing the actual sales price (such as $350,000), the document likely states the property was sold for “$10.00 and other good and valuable consideration.” […]
How to Know If a Foreclosure Has Occurred
In the world of real estate, understanding the status of a property’s title is crucial. Whether you are an investor looking for a deal or a neighbor curious about a nearby home, identifying a foreclosure requires a basic understanding of how Texas real property records are organized. Unlike some states that rely heavily on judicial […]
How Receiverships Work in Texas
Obtaining a court judgment is often only the first half of a legal battle. As many creditors quickly discover, a piece of paper signed by a judge does not automatically result in money in the bank. When a debtor refuses to pay, Texas law provides a powerful enforcement mechanism known as a receivership to help […]
Do You Have to Include a SS# or DL# in Court Docs When Probating a Will?
When filing an application to probate a will in Texas, many applicants are surprised and often concerned to find requests for sensitive personal information. In an era of rampant identity theft, providing a Social Security number (SSN) or Driver’s License (DL) number to a public court record feels counterintuitive. However, the law has specific requirements […]