Zapalac Law Firm, PLLC

06/10/2023

Our landlord/tenant services are designed to help both landlords and tenants navigate the complex laws and regulations that govern both residential or commercial rental properties. Whether you're a landlord looking to protect your investment or a tenant looking to assert your rights, Zapalac Law Firm can help find a solution that works for you. Give attorney Ryan Zapalac a call today to schedule a consultation at 832-390-2949.

06/02/2023

Q&A is still happening! Get your real estate law questions in before Wednesday next week!

For this week only, we're offering a unique chance to have your Real Estate law questions answered by attorney Ryan Zapalac! Submit your inquiries in the comments throughout the week, and we'll respond with expert advice on Friday. Seize this opportunity!

05/31/2023

For this week only, we're offering a unique chance to have your Real Estate law questions answered by attorney Ryan Zapalac! Submit your inquiries in the comments throughout the week, and we'll respond with expert advice on Friday. Seize this opportunity!

05/25/2023

Next week is our second official Q&A! Here are a few questions to consider asking your attorney and to help you think about what you want to know from our Attorney, Ryan Zapalac. Get your Real Estate, Tenant, and Landlord questions ready, because the Q&A begins Tuesday morning.

05/20/2023

This is a trick question— it’s not possible! You can’t “add” someone to an existing Deed like you can add a person to a membership list. When someone says that you must “add” someone to a Deed, they really mean that an existing owner (a grantor) must sign a brand-new Deed that gives some property interest to a new owner (a grantee). It's vital to be precise when drafting the new Deed, especially if you are a homeowner trying to pass interests to family while retaining homestead or over-65 tax exemptions. If you have a Deed that needs drafting, or any other real estate questions, call Zapalac Law Firm today at 832-390-2949

05/18/2023

May is one of the busiest months for moving, and if you are a tenant, you may be worried about whether you will get your security deposit back after moveout. How much of your original deposit you get back depends on the current condition of the property, but you can protect yourself by taking these important steps before and at move-out:
- Provide your landlord with a written forwarding address to mail your return. If you don’t do this, the timeline for the deposit return does not officially start.
- Document the condition of the rental unit upon move-out. Take photos and videos, and complete an "Inventory and Condition" form if you can. Even if everything looks spotless to you, don’t turn in those keys without documenting the property’s condition!
These two steps do not guarantee your return, but they do speed up the process and provide protection in case there is a later dispute. If you’re a tenant and you’ve been told you won’t receive your deposit back, call Zapalac Law Firm at 832-390-2949 to discuss what you can do to get your deposit back!

05/13/2023

Here’s a quick Zapalac Law Firm tip of the day! While it is often assumed that failure to close means the seller keeps the escrow money, much depends on why the transaction failed. Fault for the failure to close requires an analysis of the entire sale timeline and the contract, and where fault is unclear you could always push for an agreed split of escrow funds. If the other side presents you with a “Release of Escrow” form after a failed closing and demands signature, don’t sign until discussing your situation with an attorney to see if you can push back! One consult with document review could save you thousands and gives you peace of mind in knowing how much legal backing you have. Give attorney Ryan Zapalac a call today to schedule a consultation at 832-390-2949.

05/12/2023

Looking for an attorney in Greater Houston or Austin areas? Here’s one of the best - attorney Ryan Zapalac. Ryan cares about his clients and takes the time to fully understand their situations and explain their options. At Zapalac Law Firm, Ryan practices Real Estate Law, Landlord/Tenant/Leasing Law, Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts, Probate, and Business Planning Law. Check out his website today to schedule a consultation.

05/05/2023

The results are in! Thank you for participating in our first ever Facebook Q&A! You asked, and attorney Ryan Zapalac answered. Of course, with anything in law, each situation is unique and requires further discussion with an attorney for a more detailed and personalized plan of action. The answers below do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on in lieu of attorney representation. Take a look at what you wanted to know about business planning law:

1. "Should I copyright my business's name and designs?"
Business names can’t be copyrighted, though they can be trademarked (and eligibility for a trademark is more complicated than it sounds, though it could be worth it). Jewelry designs, on the other hand, can be copyrighted as individual designs or as entire “collections.” Formal copyright allows you to sue someone for copyright infringement, and the public nature of your copyright registration serves as proof of validity. There are more pros than cons to protecting your designs, logos, and branding, but the viability of copyright/trademark eligibility depends on your specific business.

2. "My old job just opened a suite next to mine in the same building. I signed a non-compete contract. However, I was here first. Can I get into trouble, or can I take them to court for breaking it?"
While the ultimate decision regarding violation of a noncompete would be up to a judge/jury, it does not seem reasonable to enforce a noncompete agreement if the former employer (who is the beneficiary of the noncompete clause) is the one who moved geographically closer to the burdened party. A civil litigation attorney would better know whether suit can be brought against the employer for violating the noncompete (and could better describe your possible defenses, if sued), but our hunch is that you cannot reasonably be held liable for a violation if it was the other party who moved closer.

3. "What is the most important section most often left out of a partnership contract?"
When I review partnership agreements that are from online templates or simply written from scratch, one major component that is often missing (or just poorly drafted) is the dissolution section. When does the partnership terminate? Who will handle the payment of debts? Who will notify creditors or customers? Poor or missing dissolution provisions can be extremely damaging and cause a lot of stress at the midnight hour of the business.

Give Zapalac Law Firm a call at 832-390-2949 if your business needs an attorney.

04/28/2023

📢📢Calling all business owners and entrepreneurs

Q&A ⏰⏰ UPDATE! We are extending our Q&A for another 5 days!! Get your questions in before this opportunity ends. Ask attorney Ryan Zapalac from Zapalac Law Firm, PLLC anything about business planning law today. From tailor-made contracts to strategic asset protection and business structuring, our attorney, Ryan, has helped many small businesses with his expert legal advice.

*Disclaimer: No attorney-client relationship is established by Facebook communication, nor by the asking or answering of any question.

For this week only, we're offering a unique chance to have your Business Planning law questions answered by attorney Ryan Zapalac! Submit your inquiries in the comments throughout the week, and we'll respond with expert advice on Friday. Seize this opportunity!

04/24/2023

For this week only, we're offering a unique chance to have your Business Planning law questions answered by attorney Ryan Zapalac! Submit your inquiries in the comments throughout the week, and we'll respond with expert advice on Friday. Seize this opportunity!

04/22/2023

Happy Earth Day! Click the link below for a brief history on Earth Day and for suggestions to improve our environment.

The 53rd Earth Day is Saturday, April 22. So, what is Earth Day? How did it come to be? How do we celebrate Earth Day? Find out in this informative article, including 10 tips to make your planet a better place to live—which is integral to your own health