Weekly Docket

This week on the Weekly Docket, join Phil and Chris as they break down the real-world chaos caused by the rise of out-of-control pro se AI legal filings. They analyze a nightmare real estate scenario where a former husband and wife used a DIY divorce decree that completely failed to address the division of their marital home.  Finally, Chris and Phil examine strict county procedural mandates, divi...

This week on the Weekly Docket, join Phil and Chris as they tackle a complex probate dispute involving contested heirship and sealed adoption records. They discuss the legal hurdles of proving an adoption when a step-mother alleges a daughter is not a legal heir, and whether a court can be persuaded to unseal confidential adoption paperwork to resolve a father’s estate. They also dive into a landl...

This week on the Weekly Docket, join Phil and Chris as they explore the rising trend of using AI for pro se representation in Texas courts. They clarify the legal boundaries of DIY lawyering, explaining why individuals can use AI to represent themselves but are strictly prohibited from using it to represent business entities like LLCs or corporations without risking struck pleadings and defaults....

This week on the Weekly Docket, join Phil and Chris as they address a common frustration for real estate investors: what to do when a title company refuses to close your deal. They explain the crucial distinction between title agents and the approximately 30 major underwriters, such as First American and Fidelity, and why simply moving your file to a new office might not solve a fundamental title...

This week on the Weekly Docket, join Phil and Chris as they demystify the transition from pre-litigation to the courtroom. They explain the fundamental differences between a strategic demand letter and the formal filing of a petition or complaint, highlighting how each tool serves a distinct purpose in achieving a client's goals. They also tackle the practical side of law firm management, dis...

This week on the Weekly Docket, join Phil and Chris as they examine the critical role of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) in Texas litigation. They break down the requirements for filing military status affidavits in evictions and default judgments, explaining how a "no-hit" SCRA report protects the integrity of a court’s ruling against challenges. They also dive into Article X...

This week on the Weekly Docket, join Phil and Chris as they take a deep dive into the complexities of the intestate probate process. When a loved one passes away without a formal will, the state’s default laws take over, often leading to confusion and family disputes. We break down the step-by-step legal roadmap required to settle an estate under Texas intestacy rules, from filing the initial appl...

This week on the Weekly Docket, join Phil and Chris as they analyze the high-stakes arguments currently taking place at the U.S. Supreme Court regarding birthright citizenship. They dive into Justice Alito’s use of Justice Scalia’s "microwave oven" example to illustrate how textualism applies 14th Amendment jurisdictional clauses to modern immigration realities that didn't exist in...

This week on the Weekly Docket, join Phil and Chris as they navigate the technicalities of moving a business to the Lone Star State. They answer a critical question for business owners on whether dissolving an out-of-state LLC to form a new Texas entity requires a brand-new EIN or if an existing tax ID can be preserved. They also explore a complex family law and real estate dilemma involving commu...

This week on the Weekly Docket, join Phil and Chris as they analyze the landmark court ruling that set aside and vacated FinCEN’s nationwide real estate reporting rule. They break down the judge’s reasoning on what constitutes a "suspicious" transaction and why the government cannot categorically label all-cash LLC property transfers as suspicious. They also provide a practical guide to...

This week on the Weekly Docket, join Phil and Chris as they strip away the mystery of Texas civil discovery and break down the "Levels" system that dictates how your case is litigated. They explain the critical differences between Level 1 expedited actions for claims under $250,000 and the standard Level 2 default plan. The duo dives into the requirements for Rule 194 Initial Disclosures...

Join Phil Silberman and Chris Heald in Episode 112 of the Weekly Docket for a deep dive into Texas summary judgments. They break down the critical differences between traditional motions and "no evidence" motions and explore what specific evidence is permitted at the hearing. The guys also discuss the substantial rewrite of Rule 166a that took effect on March 1, 2026. Whether you are a l...

This week on the Weekly Docket, join Phil and Chris as they break down the massive check-washing scandal hitting SBISD taxpayers and the legal liability of banks under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). They explain the critical 30-day window for reporting altered checks and how to request provisional credit when your funds are stolen. The guys also analyze a fraudulent inducement claim related to...

This week on the Weekly Docket, join Phil and Chris as they discuss the legal and ethical fallout of a business owner who gambled company funds in a desperate attempt to meet payroll. They explore the thin line between a failing business and a breach of fiduciary duty, explaining when investor losses cross the line into criminal fraud and self-enrichment. Get practical legal advice on navigating a...

This week on the Weekly Docket, join Phil and Chris as they analyze the "Big Tobacco" moment for tech giants like Meta, TikTok, and YouTube. They explore the landmark bellwether trials targeting addictive product designs and the shifting legal landscape as judges rule that Section 230 might no longer shield platforms from claims of predatory engineering. The duo also provides practical r...

This week on the Weekly Docket, join Phil and Chris as they tackle a high-stakes probate battle involving allegations of a forged will and the race to save family land. They explore the legal complexities of solar panel financing, explaining how UCC-1 filings can cloud your property title even without a formal real estate lien. The duo answers critical legal questions on "handshake" prop...

This week on the Weekly Docket, join Phil and Chris as they dive into the controversial world of civil asset forfeiture and why law enforcement can keep your cash without a criminal conviction. Explore the major 2026 updates to Texas eviction laws, including the new "Pay or Cure" notice to vacate requirements. They also discuss Texas’ adoption of the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Di...

This week on the Weekly Docket, join Phil and Chris as they expose the rising threat of Texas deed fraud and how scammers use "dormant" properties and shell companies to steal home equity. They detail the critical legal process under the Texas Government Code for using an expedited, ex parte judicial review to void fraudulent filings without a lengthy quiet title lawsuit. They also dive...

This week on the Weekly Docket, join Phil and Chris as they use the viral comments about NFL legend Michael Irvin as a case study on defamation. They explore the thin line between protected satire and actionable assertions of fact in the age of social media. The guys also tackle a complex real estate dilemma: how to sell land while preserving family occupancy rights through the use of life estates...

This week on the Weekly Docket, join Phil and Chris as they navigate the stresses of New Year tax compliance, from 1099s to closing out the books. They dive into a critical lesson on Texas contract law, explaining why written words legally override numerical digits when terms contradict, as outlined in the Texas Business and Commerce Code. Finally, they rant about the legality of kids on motorized...

This week on the Weekly Docket, join Phil and Chris as they break down the major Texas eviction reforms taking effect January 1, 2026. Explore how Senate Bill 38 streamlines the legal process by barring unrelated tenant counterclaims and authorizes the use of email notices for the first time. They also provide an in-depth look at the brand-new summary disposition procedure that allows landlords to...

Join Phil and Chris in Episode 102 of the ‘Weekly Docket’ as they break down a significant legal development regarding a judge blocking a Texas law designed to restrict minor access to app stores. The guys also discuss the various ways to secure money for buying a business and explain how Large Language Models (LLMs) really work. Finally, they discuss whether using ChatGPT violates confidentiality...

This week on the Weekly Docket, join Phil and Chris as they analyze President Trump’s executive order to reschedule marijuana to Schedule III and what this federal shift specifically means for state law enforcement and doctors in Texas. They also provide a critical update on the significant 2026 increases to taxable estate thresholds and gift tax exclusions following the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Ac...

This week on the Weekly Docket, join Phil and Chris in the 100th episode as they discuss the legal implications of Texas Senate Bill 8, which mandates the use of public restrooms in state buildings based on the gender on a person's birth certificate. They also answer practical legal questions, including an explanation of a deed without warranty and how it differs from a quitclaim deed. Finall...

This week on the Weekly Docket, join Phil and Chris as they dive into the complex world of trial law and evidence. They discuss the critical steps for getting evidence admitted in court, when attorneys should object to hearsay, and the rules surrounding the hearsay exception. The hosts explain how to lay the business records predicate to get documents into evidence and explore how trial attorneys...