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 […]
Category: Real Estate Law
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 […]
Why Commercial Evictions are Rare in TX
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.” […]