Cleburne Legal Blog | Cain & Kiel Law

What Are the Benefits of a Sale-Leaseback Transaction for Commercial Property?

2026-05-23 00:00:00

If your business owns the property it operates from, you may be sitting on a significant amount of capital that is tied up in real estate instead of working for your company. A sale-leaseback transaction lets you unlock that capital by selling your property to an investor while immediately leasing it back, so your operations continue without interruption. For many business owners in 2026, this structure can be a smart way to access funds, strengthen their businesses, and continue operating from the spaces they depend on every day.

A Tarrant County, TX commercial real estate lawyer can help you understand whether this arrangement makes sense for your situation and how to protect your interests throughout the process.

A sale-leaseback is straightforward in concept. You sell your commercial property to a buyer, and on the same day, you become that buyer's tenant under a long-term lease agreement. You get the cash from the sale. The buyer gets a property with a reliable, committed tenant already in place. You keep running your business from the same location.

Can You Change a Trust After It Is Created in Texas?

2026-05-05 00:00:00

Whether you can change a trust after it is created in Texas generally depends on whether it is a revocable trust or an irrevocable trust. Understanding which type of trust you have and what your options are is the first step. If you have questions about modifying a trust in 2026, our Hood County, TX estate planning lawyer can help you figure out what is possible and how to move forward.

What Is the Difference Between a Revocable and Irrevocable Trust?

A revocable trust is one you can change whenever you want during your lifetime. You are in control. You can add assets, remove assets, change the beneficiaries, update the terms, or cancel the trust entirely. Most people who create a living trust start with a revocable trust because of this flexibility.

What Legal Steps Should You Take Before Launching a New Business in Texas?

2026-04-21 00:00:00

During the business formation process, there are several legal steps you need to take to protect yourself and your business. Skipping them does not just cause paperwork problems later. It can leave you personally on the hook for business debts, create tax headaches, and lead to disputes that could have been avoided. Getting set up the right way from the start is much easier than fixing problems after the fact. If you are launching a business in 2026, our Hill County, TX business formation lawyers can help you work through each step so your business launches on solid ground.

What Business Structure Should You Choose?

The first big decision you will make is choosing the right legal structure for your business. This affects how much you pay in taxes, whether your personal assets are protected if something goes wrong, and how your business runs day-to-day.

What Due Diligence Is Required for Texas Commercial Real Estate?

2026-04-07 00:00:00

Due diligence is one of the most important things you can do before buying commercial property in Texas. In commercial real estate, skipping or rushing this process can lead to costly surprises after closing, including environmental liability, title problems, zoning issues, and financial losses.

Knowing what is required and what to look for can protect your investment from the very start. If you are buying commercial property in 2026, the Tarrant County, TX real estate lawyers at Cain & Kiel Law can guide you through every step.

What Is Due Diligence in Texas Commercial Real Estate?

Due diligence is the investigation you do between signing a purchase contract and closing on the property. During this time, you have the right to examine the property, review documents, and confirm that everything the seller told you is accurate.

How Are Retirement Accounts Handled After Death in Texas?

2026-03-22 00:00:00

Under Texas Estates Code § 111.052, certain assets pass outside of probate, including accounts with valid beneficiary designations. That means they pass outside of a will and outside of the probate process entirely. The account goes directly to whoever is named as the beneficiary on the account itself, regardless of what the deceased person's will says.

If you are dealing with this situation, Hood County, TX estate planning lawyers can help you understand what steps to take and make sure the transfer goes smoothly.

What Is a Beneficiary Designation, and Why Does It Matter?

A beneficiary designation is a form that the account holder fills out when they open a retirement account. It tells the financial institution who should receive the money when the account holder dies. This designation controls everything.

How Should a Business Prepare for Commercial Mediation?

2026-03-08 00:00:00

When a business dispute reaches the point where both sides need a structured path forward, commercial mediation is often the smartest move before anyone files a lawsuit. However, walking into mediation unprepared can cost you a strong position at the table, and in some cases, the outcome entirely.

How you prepare matters just as much as what you bring to the session. If you are prepping in 2026, our Hood County, TX commercial mediation lawyers can help you get ready before that day arrives.

What Is Commercial Mediation, and How Is It Different From Court?

Commercial mediation is a structured negotiation process where a neutral third party, called a mediator, helps both sides work toward a voluntary resolution. Unlike a judge or arbitrator, the mediator doesn't decide who wins. The goal is for both parties to reach an agreement they can both live with, on their own terms.

Do I Have To Get an Inspection Before Buying a Home in Texas?

2026-02-21 00:00:00

Texas law does not require you to get a home inspection before buying a house. However, it might be in your own best interest because skipping an inspection can expose you to serious financial risk if the property has hidden problems.

A home inspection gives you an independent review of the home’s structure, systems, and safety. According to a 2025 report from the National Association of Realtors, 88 percent of homebuyers used a home inspection as part of their purchase.

If you are thinking about buying a home in 2026, our Hood County, TX real estate lawyers can help you understand inspection risks and protect your investment before completing a home purchase.

Doesn’t Texas Law Require Sellers To Disclose During the Homebuying Process?

Texas law does not require buyers to get an inspection, but it does require sellers to disclose known property defects. Under Texas Property Code § 5.008, sellers must provide a Seller’s Disclosure Notice. This document lists known problems with the home, such as roof leaks, plumbing issues, or structural damage.

How Often Should You Update Your Estate Plan?

2026-02-08 00:00:00

Never assume that once an estate plan is completed, it never needs to be revisited. In reality, regular updates are essential to keep your wishes accurate and legally effective. Only about 32 percent of U.S. adults have created a will, highlighting how many families may already be unprepared for the future.

If you already have a plan in place in 2026, reviewing it regularly is just as important as creating it. Our Tarrant County, TX estate planning lawyers can help ensure your documents continue to reflect your goals as your life changes.

How Often Should You Review Your Texas Estate Plan?

Most attorneys recommend reviewing your estate plan every three to five years. Even if nothing seems different, laws can change, and financial circumstances can shift.

Tips for Creating Effective Business Contracts

2026-01-23 21:03:32

Business contracts are meant to prevent disputes, not create them. Yet disagreements over contract terms remain common. In 2025, federal court data showed that contract cases made up more than 10 percent of all civil filings. Many of these disputes could be avoided with better planning and clearer language at the outset.

As of 2026, Texas businesses still depend on well-written contracts to protect cash flow, reduce misunderstandings, and keep projects moving. If you are drafting agreements or dealing with a breach of contract, Hood County, TX contract lawyers can help you build contracts that are clear, enforceable, and practical.

What Terms Should You Always Include in a Business Contract?

Most contract problems come from missing basics. Strong agreements usually cover:

What Happens When You Die With No Estate Plan?

2026-01-08 00:00:00

As of 2026, Texas continues to rely on intestacy laws when someone passes away without an estate plan. Texas law determines who inherits property, who manages the estate, and how certain family issues are handled. These outcomes often do not reflect what the decedent would have wanted.

According to the Federal Reserve’s 2025 Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking, most U.S. adults still do not have a will or formal estate plan in place. When no plan exists, families are left to navigate state default rules during an already difficult time.

Speaking with the Tarrant County, TX estate planning lawyers at Cain & Kiel Law before problems arise can help ensure your wishes are followed and your family is protected.

What Does It Mean To Die Without an Estate Plan in Texas?

Dying without an estate plan is legally known as dying "intestate." This means there is no valid will or trust directing how property should be distributed.