For years, the word “squatter” has struck absolute terror into the hearts of Texas property owners. Historically, if an unauthorized occupant sneaked into a vacant residential home, changed the locks, and managed to get a utility bill registered in their name, local police would throw their hands up and declare it a “civil issue.” The […]
Author: Philip Silberman
Money For Buying a Business
Imagine you are purchasing a Texas company for $1 million. It is an entity sale, meaning you are buying 100% of the membership interests in the LLC or the outstanding stock of the corporation. During your final walkthrough or due diligence review, you notice that the company’s operating account has exactly $100,000 sitting in it […]
How Much Can You Actually Gift Before the IRS Steps In?
A common desire among older Americans, especially during the holidays or milestones, is to share their wealth with their children and grandchildren while they are still alive to see them enjoy it. However, a cloud of confusion often surrounds the tax implications of these gestures. Many people operate under the misconception that the recipient of […]
The 2026 Tax Cliff Is Coming: Is Your Estate Protected?
For the past several years, estate planning attorneys and financial advisors have been warning clients about the impending “tax cliff.” The sunset provisions of previous tax legislation meant that the unified gift and estate tax exemption was scheduled to slash roughly in half. However, new legislative updates for 2026 have completely shifted the landscape. If […]
Outrageous Fines Against Texas Landlords
If you own or manage single-family rental properties across the state of Texas, you know that keeping every property in perfect condition 365 days a year is a monumental task. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, things slip through the cracks. A tenant forgets to mow the lawn, an inoperable vehicle is left in the driveway, […]
Deeds Without Warranty vs. Quitclaim Deeds
When you want to quickly transfer a piece of property perhaps to a family member or out of a business entity without the hassle of a formal title search, you might be tempted to use what many mistakenly call a “quick deed.” In Texas real estate, this typically refers to a quitclaim deed. However, real […]
How to Lay Business Records Predicate
When litigating a case in Texas, getting your evidence admitted into the court record is half the battle. You cannot simply hand a contract or a ledger to the judge and expect it to be considered. Opposing counsel will almost certainly object on the grounds of hearsay. To successfully introduce your company documents and overcome […]
2026 Texas Summary Judgment Rules Changes
For years, navigating a summary judgment motion in Texas courts could feel like throwing a document into a black hole. Under the old system, an attorney could file a motion, and if they failed to actively set a hearing, that motion would just float in the legal ether indefinitely. The burden was entirely on the […]
When Should Attorneys Object to Hearsay
In courtroom dramas, attorneys are constantly leaping from their chairs to shout, “Objection, hearsay!” But in a real Texas courtroom, trial strategy is far more nuanced. Just because a piece of evidence technically qualifies as hearsay doesn’t necessarily mean you should object to it. Deciding when to force opposing counsel to lay the proper legal […]
How to Get Evidence Admitted in Court
If you are heading to trial, you might assume that presenting a crucial document like a signed lease or a business contract is as simple as handing it to the judge and pointing out the important clauses. However, the courtroom is bound by strict procedural rules. You cannot simply start reading from a piece of […]