Obtaining a “warranty of title” in a deed sounds comforting. Buyers hear protection.Sellers hear boilerplate.I hear future problems. Most warranty disputes don’t happen because someone lied. They happen because someone signed language they didn’t actually understand—and didn’t realize how long that promise lasts. What a Warranty of Title Really Is A warranty of title is
If there is one concept in Texas oil and gas practice that causes more confusion than it should, it’s Net Mineral Acres. Landowners misunderstand it. Operators miscalculate it. Title professionals argue about it. And lawyers like me end up fixing someone else’s bad math. What makes this worse is that Net Mineral Acres feel simple
Every few years, South Texas landowners get a version of the same phone call: “We represent heirs of the original patentee of this ranch. The land was never properly conveyed. The minerals were never reserved. We’re preparing to sue for possession.” I got that call again on Friday from a non-lawyer claiming to represent “a
LLC End of the Year Checklist – STATE OF TEXAS Taking care of these items will help you begin the new year the right way. This checklist can help you stay ahead of end-of-year business responsibilities. While managing an LLC is not difficult, there are certain things you need to do – and do regularly.
Yesterday evening, my limited liability company (owned with family members), Hicksbaugh Ltd. LLC, received a business proposal in the mail (thank you very much). Surprisingly, the name of the company was “mis-stated” (Hicksbaugh Ltd.) and the proposal was mailed to my home address, rather than the business address of Hicksbaugh Ltd. LLC. Interestingly, also, I
Jack Wilhelm of the Wilhelm Law Firm was interviewed yesterday by KVUE TV regarding the wrongful detention of Brittney Griner. AUSTIN, Texas — The U.S. government now considers WNBA star Brittney Griner to be “wrongfully detained” by the Russian government. Since mid-February, the former Baylor basketball standout has been detained in Russia. Russian officials claimed
The Texas Constitution prohibits perpetuities: “Perpetuities and monopolies are contrary to the genius of a free government, and shall never be allowed….” Tex. Const. art. I §26. Well okay, but what exactly is a perpetuity? Simplistically stated, a perpetuity is a restriction on the power of alienation of an asset that lasts longer than a
By the way, check out our new website. We think it is pretty neat and we would like your feedback. WE’RE BACK! After a very unpleasant downturn, oil and gas companies are resuming exploration and production activities – thank heavens! So now for our annual admonishment – when you secure a title opinion, you need
WRITING WELL! The Annual Refresher! By the way, check out our new website. We think it is neat and we would like your feedback. Every now and then, something stimulates me to check my writing style. A subscription to The Economist magazine entitled me to listen to a podcast on how to improve your writing
By the way, check out our new website. We think it is neat and we would like your feedback. Several months ago, I wrote a short blog on the need to have an experienced attorney assist in the preparation of your will. Of course, that still goes for a myriad of reasons: Your attorney should
