Best Real Estate Attorneys in Dallas

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Dallas, Texas?

  For non-emergency concerns, call the Dallas Police Department at (214) 744-4444.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Dallas, Texas?

  To get a copy of a police report, go to the Dallas Police Department Open Records Unit at 1400 Botham Jean Dallas, Texas 75215, and make a request at the customer service window. You need to provide the name of the person involved, the date and location of the incident or arrest, and the Police Service Number if available. You can also mail a report request to the same address mentioned above. Reports usually cost $0.10 per page for requests made through the customer service window and $0.50 per page for requests through the mail. For more information, call (214) 671-3345.

• Do you get notified if your property is to be foreclosed in Dallas?

  Yes, it is part of the actions a Dallas lender must undertake in the period between a missed payment and the foreclosure. Pursuant to Code of Federal Regulations Title 12 Section 1024.39, lenders are required to conduct live contact with you if you fail to post payment. Live contact must be made within 36 days of the date your payment was due. Furthermore, you should receive a written notice within 45 days after the due date.

• Is it safe to enter a subject-to-transaction sale in Dallas?

  In a subject-to-transaction sale, the buyer takes over the seller's existing mortgage. This can be a good option for buyers who are unable to get a mortgage themselves and for sellers who need to sell quickly or who have a property that is difficult to sell. However, there are also some risks involved in subject-to transactions, such as the lender foreclosing on the property, the buyer defaulting on the mortgage, or the sale documents being unfair to one party or the other. A Dallas real estate attorney can help to mitigate these risks by drafting a fair sale contract and deed of trust and by obtaining the lender's written consent.

• Is there anything you can do if your co-owner refuses to sell your half of a Dallas real estate property?

  Yes. If your co-owner refuses to talk about splitting the property or refuses to sell, you can bring a partition action. Real estate owners in Texas have absolute rights to partition; therefore, a co-owner cannot oppose it. Filing a partition lawsuit permits the court to order the sale of the property and the distribution of the sale proceeds among the co-owners.

• When are deed transfers for real estate required in Dallas?

  Deed transfers in Dallas are required when you are selling real estate and when you need to update names on a title, such as changing or removing one. The deed transfer must be notarized and submitted to the County Clerk/Recorder’s Office with jurisdiction over the property’s location. The County Clerk's Office for Dallas properties is located at 500 Elm Street, Suite 2100, Dallas, TX 75202.

• Can someone claim ownership of a real estate property in Dallas just by using it for a long time?

  Yes, particularly if the user has been cultivating the property, holding a color of title, and making tax payments on the Dallas property for five years. The property user can claim “adverse possession rights." As the property owner, you have three years to claim your estate with a color of title and five years if the user has also been paying taxes and cultivating the land. This is according to the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Sections 16.024-025.