A title company handles the administrative and insurance side of a real estate closing, verifying that the title is clear and issuing title insurance, while a real estate attorney provides legal advice, reviews and negotiates contract terms, and can represent you if a dispute arises. Texas does not require an attorney for a residential closing, [...]
Choosing a construction attorney in Austin comes down to four criteria. Confirm the attorney actually specializes in construction law rather than treating it as one of many practice areas, make sure the firm can handle both contract work and litigation, ask about direct experience with your specific issue, whether that is a lien, a payment [...]
Most small business owners put off calling a lawyer for one reason. They're afraid the bill will cost more than the problem itself. That fear is usually misplaced. The honest answer is simpler than most owners expect. Much of the legal work you'll need has a known price before you start. Forming a company, drafting [...]
You found the house in Round Rock. The title company sends over a stack of paperwork, and one form names a municipal utility district with a tax rate you didn't plan for. Now you're wondering who reads all this for you. In Texas, a title company runs most closings, and no law requires a lawyer [...]
Distressed properties can be a potentially lucrative option for those who are looking to buy the house of their dreams at a low price. They can also be a profitable opportunity for real estate investors who want to flip it for a profit or rent it out. Even when you are able to find distressed [...]
Stop. Stop thinking business litigation won't happen to you. As a business litigation attorney in Texas who's handled over 1,000 commercial disputes, I've seen too many entrepreneurs learn this lesson the hard way. The call always starts the same: "Jeff, we never thought we'd need a lawyer, but now..." By then, what could have been [...]
When someone dies without a will in Texas, their estate doesn't simply vanish. It follows a strict legal roadmap called intestate succession that determines exactly who inherits what, often with surprising and unintended consequences for families. Texas intestate succession laws, governed by the Texas Estates Code, create a predetermined hierarchy that may completely contradict your [...]
The foreclosure process is a lengthy one, but it’s best to hire a foreclosure attorney as soon as you can. With an attorney by your side early in the process, you’re more likely to be able to negotiate a resolution with your lender and keep your home. When to Hire a Foreclosure Attorney Your lender [...]
The most common reason people use a real estate attorney is for purchasing or selling a house. Unlike some states, Texas doesn’t require real estate attorneys for these transactions, but luckily for us, there’s no shortage of situations and transactions where a lawyer is needed. Here are some times when you definitely need a real [...]
When we move into a new home, we envision ourselves having weekend barbecues with our neighbors, knocking on their door when we need a cup of sugar, and having someone to collect our mail and feed our goldfish when we’re on vacation. This idyllic vision can sometimes give way to a reality that’s much [...]