Attorney Jimmy Brymer of Ringel & Brymer, PLLC explained that property disputes usually involve easements, where one party believes they have a right to use land and the other disagrees; questions about contracts or disputes over property titles, sometimes tracing back generations.
Property disputes can become complicated quickly, no matter the disagreement.
Here are three ways landowners can protect themselves and avoid ending up in a costly conflict.
1. Know your documents
A key preventive step is understanding essential paperwork.
Brymer said the following are the most important documents:
- Deeds
- Land buying contracts
- Rental contracts
- Any other proof of ownership
“A general warranty deed says, ... ‘I’m willing to sign a deed that says I’m selling this piece of land to you, ... and I guarantee that I have a good and proper title to the land,’” Brymer said.
Buyers should be wary of quitclaim deeds, which offer no guarantees and can leave ownership in question, years down the line.
Waiting to address a property conflict can make matters far worse.
“As soon as someone realizes [the conflict] is not something they can handle themselves, they should [contact a lawyer] immediately and not let it fester,” Brymer said.
Once a potential client reaches out, Ringel & Brymer will typically schedule a consultation. During this meeting, attorneys review documents, assess the claims and outline possible resolutions. From there, they guide clients in deciding whether mediation or litigation is the best path forward, helping them resolve the dispute as efficiently as possible.
3. Consider mediation before litigation
When conflicts happen, especially among family members or community members with shared property, mediation can save both time and money.
Unlike litigation, where a dispute is resolved in court by a judge after a formal, often lengthy process, mediation is a more informal approach. A neutral mediator helps both parties communicate, clarify intentions and reach an agreement without going to trial.
“It would cost $15,000 to $20,000 to go to court, ... or they can go to mediation and try to enforce what they wanted to do,” Brymer said. “Typically, that gets [cases] resolved quicker.”
Most property disputes at Ringel & Brymer never make it to trial. By choosing mediation, clients can often settle disagreements faster, with lower costs and retain more control over the outcome.
Stay proactive
Ultimately, property law in Texas is designed to protect landowners if they take the right steps. Brymer said if a client waits until they have an eviction notice or foreclosure, there is not much that can be done. Prevention, early consultation and proper documentation are the keys to avoiding that scenario.
Visit their website today to learn more about how Ringel & Brymer can help resolve property issues and guide landowners through Texas property law.
Location: 715 Chestnut Street, Bastrop
The above story was produced by Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
