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Questions Answered by John Michael Frick
1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Civil Litigation and Gov & Administrative Law for Texas on
Q: Grounds to file motion to dismiss for animal not restrained case?

I am a defendant in a case titled "State of Texas vs. [defendant]" regarding the issue of "animals not restrained," involving chickens eating grass in my front yard. On March 8th, 2024, I received a yellow card from Fort Worth code compliance/animal control, but it did not... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 21, 2025

First, remember that in a criminal case, only the prosecutor can file a motion to dismiss. The defendant and his attorney cannot.

With that in mind, the answer to your question is the prosecutor could file a motion to dismiss on the ground that the code does not authorize the issuance of a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: Can I ask a neighbor to share fence replacement costs after a disaster?

I'm seeking legal guidance on whether I can request my neighbor to share the costs of replacing a shared fence, which was destroyed by a natural disaster. I've been negotiating with my neighbor for six weeks, but they claim they cannot afford to contribute. The fence was approximately 80%... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 21, 2025

Both adjoining landowners have legal responsibility to maintain, repair, and replace a fence that is on the property line between two adjacent tracts of land. Most homeowners' insurance policies cover "other structures" including fences for damages caused by natural disasters.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Texas on
Q: How can a father exclude children from his will in Texas?

In Texas, my father is in the process of creating a will. He has two adult children from previous marriages, and he is adamant that he does not want them to receive any of his assets when he passes. He is still married to my mom, who sometimes overspends, and he wants me to be the executor and take... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 21, 2025

He can acknowledge the existence of his two adult children in his Will and leave them nothing.

Be aware that as executor of his Will who do not have the discretion to withhold assets from your mom if she is the beneficiary of his Will. You will have a fiduciary duty upon his death to pay...
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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Employment Discrimination and Contracts for Texas on
Q: Fired for breach of contract; suspect FMLA discrimination. Is it legal?

I was recently fired from my employer for alleged breach of contract, specifically for threatening a co-worker, which I deny. I have text evidence showing that two other associates made similar threats but were only given a final write-up, not terminated. I suspect my termination is related to my... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 21, 2025

Your termination may violate the FMLA if you can prove that the stated reason "threatening a co-worker" is a mere pretext and that the actual reason for your termination was you taking medical leave.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Criminal Law and Legal Malpractice for Texas on
Q: Can I file a wrongful arrest suit against a Texas sheriff's office for denied due process during a 2.5-year incarceration?

I was arrested by Texas DPS on July 5, 2021, for failure to register annually, though I had registered over the phone with the Willacy County Sheriff's Office. Despite this, they claimed no record of my registration. During my two and a half years of incarceration, without due process or bond... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 21, 2025

You need to hire an attorney like F. Lee Merritt who has a lot of experience in civil rights cases against law enforcement. Most attorneys do not handle this type of case due to the very low probability of success and the limited damages available.

You may have a claim for compensation...
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2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Civil Litigation, Consumer Law and Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: How can I dispute my apartment's charge for damage caused by improper installations?

I reported an issue with my washer and dryer unit being improperly installed behind a glass mirror closet in my apartment over a year ago. Initially, the apartment complex acknowledged the washer's placement caused damage but assured us we would not be charged. Despite emails that go... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 16, 2025

You should send written notification to the landlord or the landlord's representative with copies of the photos and videos. Check your lease to determine if it contains a provision specifying where and how written notice is to be sent. If your lease does not contain such a provision, send... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Contracts for Texas on
Q: Buyer requests Warranty Deed after Release of Lien; what's necessary?

I sold a piece of land using a Deed of Trust and Warranty Deed with a vendor's lien. The original buyer wanted out of the contract, and another buyer assumed the note. The property was transferred to the new buyer's name, and upon full payment, we issued a Release of Lien to them. Now,... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 16, 2025

Because you are not the one who sold the property to the new buyer, the preparation, signing, and delivery of a warranty deed is not your responsibility. The original buyer who sold the property to the new buyer and assumed the original buyer's note obligations to you is the party who should... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Civil Litigation, Personal Injury and Criminal Law for Texas on
Q: Legal actions for premature car repossession due to verbal agreement breach.

I borrowed $1100 in December 2024 under a verbal agreement that I had 6 months to repay the money, during which my car couldn't be taken. Despite this, the lender impersonated a hotel manager to have my car towed away prematurely on April 12, 2025, only 4 months into the agreement. I called... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 15, 2025

In the absence of a recorded lien against the motor vehicle as collateral securing repayment of the loan, the lender violated Texas law by taking possession of your motor vehicle. You should report the taking of your car to local police.

You also can file a lawsuit under the Texas Theft...
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3 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Civil Litigation and Gov & Administrative Law for Texas on
Q: How to pursue legal action in TX against Concord Auto Protect?

I purchased an auto warranty contract from Concord Auto Protect on November 22, 2023, which is set to expire on November 25, 2025. In 2023, I successfully used the warranty once. However, when attempting to use their services again in March 2025, both the service department and I made multiple... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 14, 2025

If you purchased the warranty in Texas and it does not contain either an arbitration clause or forum selection clause, you can sue the company here in Texas for breach of the warranty contract. Depending on what the lawsuit filed by the Pennsylvania AG alleges, there may even be a suit for a Texas... View More

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Q: Challenge POA legitimacy and estate distribution among siblings in Texas.

In Texas, my sibling presented a notarized Power of Attorney, reportedly signed by our mother, who was under Medicaid and in poor health. This was done without involving other siblings or reaching an open, written agreement. Our mother had suffered a severe fall due to an incident with an American... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 14, 2025

To successfully challenge the use of a POA before your mother's death, you will need to prove that, at the time she signed the POA, she was mentally incompetent to do so, she was under duress (someone threatened her with bodily harm),or it was obtained by fraud (she reasonably believed she was... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Health Care Law and Civil Litigation for Texas on
Q: Medical records exposed due to improper packaging; seeking legal advice.

I recently requested my medical records from my OBGYN of over 10 years. I was told I would receive them by mail, but they arrived in a damaged, open envelope because too many records were stuffed into a small paper envelope. The post office rewrapped them with a note about the poor packaging, but... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 14, 2025

I do not think it would be worthwhile for you to retain an attorney at this point. Mere worry and fear that your records may have been exposed while being sent through the US Postal Service would not be sufficient to support any award of monetary damages. You probably have done what can be done... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith and Probate for Texas on
Q: Life insurance proceeds issued to estate with no will or probate in Texas; potential bad faith?

Can life insurance proceeds be issued to an estate when no estate has been opened, especially if there is no will, assets, or probate involved? My mother’s life insurance named my dad as the sole beneficiary, but he passed away before her. The insurance company states their policy directs... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 14, 2025

With the policy not naming any contingent beneficiaries, the insurance company must issue a check for the policy proceeds to the Estate of the decedent. It would be bad faith if the insurance company issued the check to you and/or your siblings personally.

The executor of the...
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2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Civil Litigation and Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: Facing eviction threats and inadequate maintenance from landlady in Texas.

I am currently facing eviction threats from my elderly landlady, who has attempted to evict me three times over the phone. Additionally, her son came to the house indicating that they found someone else to buy the property due to irregular rent payments, despite having been here for four years. The... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 14, 2025

It appears you have a verbal month-to-month lease for an indefinite term. If that is true, then your landlady is required to give you 30-days advance WRITTEN notice to end the lease. She is not required to notify you of her intent or efforts to sell the house. Absent an agreement to the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Civil Litigation, Probate and Family Law for Texas on
Q: How can I gain custody of my deceased brother's ashes in Texas?

I am seeking legal assistance to gain custody of my deceased brother's ashes. I am his sister, and he verbally requested me to handle his funeral arrangements and made me the beneficiary of his life insurance for this purpose. There are no existing legal orders regarding the disposition of his... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 14, 2025

You need to negotiate with your brother's estranged wife. In the absence of a written designation signed by your deceased brother, his estranged spouse is entitled to his ashes.

In the absence of a written Will, your brother's children are entitled to a substantial portion of...
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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Family Law and Domestic Violence for Texas on
Q: What legal motions and evidence can address a father's neglect of a child's medical needs?

I am worried about my child's severe medical needs being neglected by the father, despite a court order in our Final Divorce Decree to communicate through the Talking Parent app and share medical decision rights. Out of 300 messages I've sent over two years, the father has opened only 20%... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 14, 2025

You can file a motion to modify in suit affecting the parent-child relationship. The fact that the divorce court judge has already found it necessary for you two to communicate through the Talking Parent app indicates the judge is already aware that you two have communication problems. 300... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: Is $90k from single home sale considered in equity split for divorce in Texas?

I purchased a home in 2011 while single. I got married in 2014 and sold the home in 2017, using the $90k cash received as a down payment for a new home with my husband. My husband is on the deed but not the mortgage loan. We are now divorcing. Is the $90k I used for the down payment and fees... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 11, 2025

If you can trace the $90k down payment to the proceeds received from the sale of your separate property home, you have a valid argument that your new home is an asset of mixed character--meaning it is partly your separate property and partly community property.

For example, if the price of...
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2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Civil Litigation, Business Law and Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: Seeking legal guidance on property management negligence causing $20,000 loss.

I own a rental property in Texas, and my property management company was negligent in screening tenants and maintaining the property. The tenant who signed the lease allowed multiple families to live in the house. Despite repeated complaints and monthly HOA violations, the management company failed... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 9, 2025

The success of your case will turn heavily on the language of your agreement with your property management company and the particular facts and circumstances of your case. You will need to prove how the management company knew or should have know that the tenant who signed the lease was likely to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Tax Law for Texas on
Q: Is it a RESP violation if my mortgage company misestimated property taxes?

I purchased my home in Texas in October 2023. My mortgage company estimated MUD property taxes based on the land value instead of the newly completed home and the selling price. I discovered this issue in March 2025 when I received a statement showing an escrow shortage of over $1,200, resulting in... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 9, 2025

No this is not a RESPA violation. Property taxes are the legal responsibility of the owner (YOU). Lenders almost always require a borrower-owner to timely pay their property taxes. Sometimes, lenders require the borrower-lender to escrow money by paying an additional sum each month with the loan... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Juvenile Law, Domestic Violence and Family Law for Texas on
Q: How to pursue emancipation as a minor in Texas with family support issues?

I am a 16-year-old currently living in Alabama with my grandmother after being removed from my mother's home in Texas by CPS due to domestic violence and home conditions. I work part-time while attending school, so I'm unable to support myself fully. I wish to get emancipated and live... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 9, 2025

When you reach 17 years of age, you need to hire an attorney in Texas to file a suit for emancipation. It would be best if your parents were in agreement. You will be required to serve them with your suit and they will have the opportunity to object. Because of how long any case takes to reach... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Contracts, Consumer Law, Personal Injury and Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: Seeking attorney for breach of lease and deceptive trade in TX

I'm looking to find an attorney who works on a contingency basis to help with a breach of contract and deceptive trade practices case concerning a leased premises. For about a year, I've been living with mold and bad water. Despite my written complaints over the past 11 months, the... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 9, 2025

In the absence of significant damages, it will likely not be possible for you to locate an attorney willing to work on such a case on a contingency fee basis. You would need to show some sort of "value" to the leased premises. If it is a commercial property in a prime location with a... View More

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