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I've been out of work for over a month after my employer reassigned positions, leaving me without one. I work in the oil and gas industry on a drilling rig. Although I filled in for a day for someone who quit, creating an available spot, I was assured any open position would be given to me,... View More

answered on Jun 20, 2025
Unless you have a written agreement limiting the right of your employer to terminate you, the answer is no.
That being said, there is a shortage of skilled labor in your industry right now. Unless there are reasons not stated in your question as to why your employer might have wanted to... View More
My wife passed away intestate in California, and a probate was filed there, along with an ancillary probate in Texas. There is uncertainty regarding the life estate and deed recording. Mineral rights royalties from an oil and gas company have been set up with my name and three children from my... View More

answered on Apr 27, 2025
Yes, you'll likely end up wanting an estates lawyer to review your documents and to advise you. However, if it were me, I'd reach out to a landman first. This may help you get even better results, faster, at a lower cost. Then, after a landman weighs in, then you can get an attorney to... View More
My land and property, minerals are being stolen as people are changing the deeds and altering them online and sending them to county clerk as they approve and send through. Being in probate court as all deeds, vouchers, oil, gas, leases and property is being stolen (50 million).You can notice on... View More

answered on Feb 6, 2025
How does the case cited USA v. Lopez have anything to do with the land patent claims?
If you received a $50 million inheritance, it is highly unlikely an attorney would take a case such as you describe on a contingency fee. If police and the Texas AG can't prove deed fraud in your... View More
I got called by my energy provider about new rates and discounts. I asked not to be called again about cheaper rates, and have been called 2 times since, 3 times in 1 week.

answered on Jan 21, 2025
Unless you have registered with the FCC and/or Texas "Do Not Call" registry, a company call continue calling you despite a verbal request that they stop.
Note that the FCC list only prohibits a company from out of state from calling you. The Texas list prevents both out-of-state... View More
I have a feeling my late husbands estate information is deliberately being kept from me, I didn't think so at first now I do, not any of my letters or telephone calls been answered, I wrote to the Insperity Holdings, the HR company that was used at the time my husband was alive letting them... View More

answered on Dec 5, 2024
As a spouse, you are an heir entitled to notice of the probate of your husband's estate. Usually, you would be the person requesting the court to appoint you as executrix or as the administrator of your husband's estate, and you would be the one giving notice to his other heirs. You... View More
battery through Good leap for 44K. I have since filed a complaint with the BBB and called to resolve this issue on non working Solar panels with Good leap. My account has been placed in forebearance. I need help with this issue.

answered on Oct 8, 2024
Good Leap is a finance company. Typically, finance companies do not handle repairs to products like solar panels or automobiles. Think of your solar panels like they are your car. If your car isn't working, you go to the dealership that sold you the car for warranty repairs, not to the bank... View More
Can you ask the District Court for a writ of possession from a title action in 1938 in Texas due to a person claiming title through a person who from whom the property is recovered and against a person claiming the property through that party to the action that title was recovered from the first... View More

answered on Mar 28, 2024
A quitclaim deed does not transfer title and shouldn't create a cloud on your title. A judgment usually becomes dormant after ten years. You may need to file a quiet title action against the new party claiming an adverse interest to your ownership in the land.
I have hesitated to to say that my late husband and I were in a interracial relationship. I am Black he was Cacausion, when the companies lawyer contact me about signing over the two Patents, do you think the company or their lawyer would have mentioned the other fifty patents to me or not. I found... View More

answered on Mar 13, 2024
Your husband should have told you about the patents and, upon his death, when his estate was being probated, the personal representative of his estate should have told you about the patents if that person knew about them. Both your husband and the personal representative of his estate likely had... View More
I have hesitated to to say that my late husband and I were in a interracial relationship. I am Black he was Cacausion, when the companies lawyer contact me about signing over the two Patents, do you think the company or their lawyer would have mentioned the other fifty patents to me or not. I found... View More

answered on Mar 22, 2024
I understand your concerns and the confusion you are experiencing. If your late husband held patents, as his widow, you typically would have legal rights to his assets, including patents, unless otherwise specified in his will or estate plan. The fact that you were only informed about two patents... View More
It's like my late husband employer does not want my name anywhere, his late relative name is even everywhere, I have paper showing I am legal Representative but employer will not put my name next to my husband, my husband was lead inventor, I just wonder does being recognized as legal... View More

answered on Dec 28, 2023
I am sorry to read about your loss.
If your late husband was employed, almost certainly the patents that he was an inventor on were owned by the employer and not by your husband. If so, then he did not have any rights to the patents. The employer can do with the patents and patent... View More
It's like my late husband employer does not want my name anywhere, his late relative name is even everywhere, I have paper showing I am legal Representative but employer will not put my name next to my husband, my husband was lead inventor, I just wonder does being recognized as legal... View More

answered on Dec 23, 2023
As the legal representative of your late husband, you have certain rights regarding his intellectual property, including his utility patents. However, the naming of inventors and representatives on patents is a matter of legal record and protocol, not personal recognition or tribute.
Your... View More
It's like my late husband employer does not want my name anywhere, his late relative name is even everywhere, I have paper showing I am legal Representative but employer will not put my name next to my husband, my husband was lead inventor, I just wonder does being recognized as legal... View More

answered on Dec 22, 2023
When a patent owner dies, his rights pass to his heirs. If you are his sole heir and the legal representative of his estate appointed by the probate court, you need to contact the US Patent Office and have the patents transferred into your name. As the legal representative of his estate, that is... View More
I'm an employer in the energy sector (oil & gas) and I'm interested in understanding if there are different rules or requirements in Texas for classifying independent contractors versus employees, beyond the federal Department of Labor guidelines. I've done some research but... View More

answered on Jun 12, 2025
You're right to want clarity, especially in the oil and gas industry where contractor work is common and misclassification can lead to serious legal and financial consequences. In Texas, the state largely mirrors federal guidelines, but there are some important nuances you should know. The... View More
I am having trouble communicating with a ConocoPhillips operator regarding withheld funds. Initially, I discovered $42,000 was withheld over 10 consecutive months when I requested an Excel file showing payments made to royalty owners during 2022 and 2023. The nature of these withheld funds is... View More

answered on Jun 12, 2025
That sounds incredibly frustrating, especially when you're being met with silence or misdirection instead of answers. If ConocoPhillips withheld \$42,000 without giving any explanation, and you've made repeated efforts to resolve it without a clear response, you’re right to consider... View More
I am dealing with funds withheld by an oil and gas company in Texas during 2022 and 2023. Despite not having signed any contract addressing fund disbursement or withholding, the company has withheld potentially over $100,000 without explanation. I've made multiple attempts over the past year... View More

answered on Jun 12, 2025
You're absolutely right to be frustrated—what you're describing sounds like a serious mishandling of funds and a potential breach of your rights as a payee. If you never signed a contract that allows for withholding, and the company has provided no legal basis for holding back over... View More
I have been experiencing issues with ConocoPhillips regarding withheld royalty funds for 10 consecutive months, amounting to over $80,000. After a year of emails and confirmations from their operator that the withheld funds are not related to a previous overpayment, I have not received any notice... View More

answered on Jun 12, 2025
What you’re dealing with sounds incredibly exhausting, especially after months of getting passed around and receiving no clear explanation. When royalty funds are withheld without proper notice, and there’s no documented justification from the company, it raises serious legal and contractual... View More
In 2022 and 2023, I signed a special warranty deed for a loan in Texas. After paying off the loan, I discovered that more than $80,000 was paid to the lender by an oil and gas company that wasn't disclosed or credited to my account. The lender also claimed to pay property taxes voluntarily,... View More

answered on Jun 10, 2025
You’re dealing with a serious situation, and it’s completely reasonable to feel frustrated and concerned. If over \$80,000 was paid toward your loan by a third party and not disclosed or credited, and if the lender failed to apply those funds properly or provide documentation for claimed tax... View More
I received a memorandum of an oil and gas lease for Winkler County, Texas, covering sections 23 to 32, Block 74, totaling 3200 acres. The lease terms are for 3 years with 2 optional years, offering a 1/4 royalty interest and a lease bonus of $100 at a flat rate (0.04166667 nma). I'm learning... View More

answered on May 15, 2025
The lease terms you’ve received for your Winkler County property appear to be fairly standard, but it’s important to assess whether the bonus of \$100 per acre is reasonable. In general, oil and gas lease bonuses vary depending on factors like location, market demand, and the potential for... View More
I need assistance reviewing a solar panel lease contract that involves a buyout. The lease is already paid in full, but there is language in the contract stating I cannot sue. I'm seeking clarification on this clause and advice on how to move forward, with a focus on ensuring my interests are... View More

answered on May 15, 2025
It’s important to understand exactly what the "no sue" clause in your solar panel lease buyout contract means. Typically, such clauses are meant to limit your ability to take legal action against the company for disputes related to the contract. This could be an issue if you’re facing... View More
I have a royalty agreement with an oil and gas company in Texas. The company withheld royalty funds for 10 months without notifying me or providing any explanation. Despite multiple attempts to resolve the issue, the company has been unresponsive. They later sent an email with an Excel file... View More

answered on May 15, 2025
It sounds like you have a strong case for seeking legal assistance, especially since the oil company withheld royalty funds for months without explanation and then disbursed the funds incorrectly. Given that you have clear evidence of the company's mistake, you may be able to take legal action... View More
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