Tag: Civil Procedure
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What Is an Abstract of Judgment in Texas?
If you have won a lawsuit—or have been sued and a judgment was entered against you—you may hear the term abstract of judgment. For many people, it sounds technical and confusing. In reality, it serves a simple purpose: it can help turn a court judgment into a public lien against certain real property. For non-lawyers, Read more
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Forcible Detainer in Texas: What It Is, When It’s Used, and How the Process Works
If you are dealing with an eviction issue in Texas, you may hear the term forcible detainer. This is the legal process commonly used to remove a tenant or occupant who refuses to leave after their right to stay has ended. Need legal advice? Having trouble finding answers to your legal questions? Amy can help! What Read more
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Special Exceptions in Texas: What They Are, When They Are Used, and Why They Matter
If you are involved in a lawsuit in Texas, you may hear your lawyer mention a special exception. The term sounds technical, but the basic idea is straightforward: it is a formal way to tell the court that the other side’s pleading is too vague, incomplete, or legally defective. In Texas civil litigation, a special exception Read more
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Tenant FAQ: When Can I Sue My Landlord in Texas?
In Texas, tenants can bring several kinds of lawsuits against landlords, including statutory claims for failure to repair dangerous conditions, retaliation, wrongful lockout or utility shutoff, and security-deposit violations, as well as certain common-law claims such as wrongful eviction and, in some situations, premises-liability claims. Tenants may also sue for housing discrimination, including disability-based discrimination Read more
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Texas Moves Closer to Federal Standard on Summary Judgment
In 2026, Texas implemented significant changes to its summary judgment procedures, most notably by imposing strict deadlines for scheduling hearings and issuing rulings on summary judgment motions, as well as introducing new reporting requirements for courts. Additionally, the Texas Supreme Court has further revised Rule 166a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, with a Read more
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Explaining the Texas Civil Courts
Texas has several different trial and appellate courts that can handle civil cases (lawsuits about money, property, contracts, injuries, family matters, and similar non-criminal disputes). Which court your case belongs in depends mainly on: Need legal advice? Having trouble finding answers to your legal questions? Amy can help! The Ladder: Trial courts vs. Appellate courts Read more
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The Texas Medical Liability Act
Texas law imposes unique procedural prerequisites for medical malpractice (health care liability) claims against doctors. Before filing suit, the claimant must send a written notice and a statutory medical authorization form to each defendant at least 60 days in advance; after suit is filed, the claimant must serve a detailed expert report on each defendant Read more
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What if I just don’t open the door?
When someone files a lawsuit against you in Texas, the law requires that you be officially notified—this is called “service of process.” Usually, this means a sheriff, constable, or process server hands you the legal papers in person. Some people try to avoid being served, thinking this will stop the lawsuit. However, Texas law has Read more
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Update to the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act
In late 2025, the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (“DTPA”) was updated through cross-referenced legislation to address the growing issue of AI-generated intimate visual material distributed online. The new provisions make it a deceptive trade practice, actionable under the DTPA, for owners of internet websites or applications to fail to promptly remove such material upon Read more
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Texas Justice of the Peace Courts
Justice of the Peace courts are the lowest level of trial courts in Texas. They are sometimes called “JP courts.” Each county in Texas has at least one JP court, and larger counties have several. The judge in a JP court is called a Justice of the Peace. Need legal advice? Having trouble finding answers Read more