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Two terms are used in the state of Texas to describe a deed that automatically transfers title to real estate you own on your death a transfer on death deed and a Lady Bird Deed. The distinction between these two deeds is subtle, but very important. A transfer on death deed requires all beneficiaries to agree to changes made to your estate, even while you're still alive. A Lady Bird Deed gives you the freedom to make changes without the beneficiaries consent. However, it must be drawn up in a specific way to be considered valid in the state of Texas.

Lien foreclosure gives you a process to recover some or all of the money still owed you. Unfortunately, you are going to have to deal with very complicated, tricky legal foreclosure steps to get there. When you are faced with foreclosing on your lien, you will need to get an attorney, follow their advice closely, be patient, and be prepared to resell the property if needed.

Are you considering selling a property and carrying the note yourself? Before you do, you will want to consider if you own the property, if carrying the note is a smart investment, if it is wise to take on the risk if the buyer can’t qualify for conventional third-party financing, and if you are willing to do the necessary legal work to protect yourself if the buyer defaults.

The price you pay for this advice before signing a contract can easily save you many thousands of dollars and lots of headaches and trouble in the future. A review of a standard residential purchase contract generally would not be more than a few hundred dollars. More complicated contracts, of course, would cost more to review or draft, but the cost would still be far less than any negotiation or litigation later to address problems that arise.

Entering into a legal contract to lease property can be overwhelming, and you may be uncertain about what you are committing yourself to. Whether you are looking to sign a residential or commercial lease, having an attorney assist you can be helpful and will ease your concerns.

If you are in the market to purchase a home, you probably already know you should start shopping for a real estate agent and mortgage lender. But, do you also need a lawyer?

You are carrying the note on the sale of a property, and the borrower has missed several payments, has failed to provide proof of insurance, or has not paid the property taxes. If your efforts to get them to comply have been unsuccessful, it may be time to foreclose on the property.