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Void Versus Voidable Judgments In Texas

This is the text from PNS Stores, Inc. v. Rivera, 379 S.W.3d 267, 271–73 (Tex. 2012): Because there is some inconsistency in our state’s jurisprudence concerning important distinctions between void and voidable judgments and direct and collateral attacks, we begin our analysis with a discussion of clarifying principles. It is well settled that a litigant may attack a void judgment directly or collaterally, but a voidable judgment may only be attacked directly. Hagen v. […]

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Gift Deed or Warranty Deed? Words Have Consequences

Generally, in an unambiguous deed, parol evidence cannot be used to ascertain the intent of the parties, so a warranty deed will be held to be a purchase and not a gift, and gift deed will be a gift. Parol evidence will not be received to contradict the instrument. This can have consequences related to […]

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When Is It Too Late To Reform A Deed In Texas

When is it too late to equitably reform a deed in Texas? In part, that depends on whether the deed is ambiguous. There is generally a rebuttable presumption that a grantor has immediate knowledge of defects in a deed that result from mutual mistake.8 The court of appeals plurality correctly notes that “[a]pplication of the […]

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String Along or Ongoing Fraud

Tenant–Base has also asserted a separate string-along fraud claim. Landlord–Center has first argued that “string along fraud” does not exist under Texas law. This does not appear to be accurate. In fact, string-along fraud has been held to be an ongoing course of fraud that may begin before a contract is executed or can start […]

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