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? […]
Author: Philip Silberman
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 […]
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 […]