In a Civil Proceeding, can the plaintiff has to decide on trial by jury or judge before or during the proceedings/motions?

Dwaine is correct, as always. I only write to add that juries must be requested at least 14 days before trial in JP or Small Claims Court. See TRCP...

Are there rules about breaking an apartment lease? I was laid off from my job and have five months left.

The wording you want is not in the Lease, but rather it is in the law. See TPC 91.006: http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/PR/htm/PR.91.htm....

Unfortunately, death is an event of default in many loan agreements, and consequently grants the lender the right to accelerate the loan and...

I'm not a constitutional right-of-privacy expert and I know this is a burgeoning area of law. Particularly with the advent of drones. But my first...

Would it be wise to fight back against the charges my previous Landlord/Leasing Office charged me to cover moving out?

Review your Lease closely to determine your landscape maintenance and repair obligations. If you had the duty of maintenance, that might have...

I purchased a new vehicle and a down payment was required but at the time I didn't have the money, can they still collect?

I think you know the answer to this. You agreed to pay it. The contract you signed obligates you to pay it. The fact that you didn't pay it at the...

Foreclosure help

If you own the property, then you have a "justiciable interest" -- the right to be heard in Court. First, you can check your formal ownership here:...

I want to know if I can file a (small claim) lawsuit against a business owner who has my car and he's refusing to release it.

Go to your nearest Justice of the Peace Court. File a lawsuit and use these words: "I want a Distress Warrant." They'll look at you like you have...

I have rec'd a Final Default Judgment from Midland Funding. Can I still file for bankruptcy since we cannot pay?

A bankruptcy discharge has almost forever implications. Do not file bankruptcy based on a $3500 debt. You may have time to appeal or contest it....

Is there anyway to get my deposit back of sublet? She said she would give back all deposit but now only half of it.

This feels like possible fraud in a real estate transaction. There is a specific Texas law that prohibits it. See TBCC Chapter 27:...