Law Offices of M. Amber Barger, PLLC

A Denton County HOA recently published an amendment to their leasing rules, prohibiting owners from leasing to Section 8 tenants. I am working to assist landlords who understandbly disagree with being forced to remove these tenants who did nothing to deserve it.

Providence Village HOA clarifies Section 8 fines, while Denton Housing Authority girds for fight When word spread about the Providence Homeowners Association’s attempt to displace 81 families who use Section 8 vouchers in Providence Village, the reaction was swift and vicious, leading the HOA

ATTENTION LANDLORDS: The Supreme Court of Texas has renewed its Emergency Order regarding evictions. The order provides that any tenant who is being evicted for non-payment of rent must receive specific language regarding rental relief programs along with any notice to vacate and/or petition for eviction.

If you are handling your own evictions, make sure to include this language and understand the orders; otherwise the judge will not grant your request. Note that this is NOT required for post-foreclosure evictions and lease violations other than non-payment of rent.

Read more and download the Order here: https://www.txcourts.gov/court-coronavirus-information/emergency-orders/

Today we were able to get a motion for summary judgment granted for a well-deserving client!

What started as a simple post-foreclosure eviction proceeding in early 2020 turned into a complicated and drawn out process lasting 19 months! We defended our client from start to finish, representing them at the Justice of the Peace Court, County Court at Law, Court of Appeals, and the District Court. After several motions, appeals, and hearings, all resulting in our client's favor, we were thrilled to share the news that the court has found them not liable on all causes of action raised.

If you need assistance with a difficult eviction or real estate issue, we're always happy to help - message anytime!

Law Offices of M. Amber Barger, PLLC is now on WhatsApp.

Great advice from a friend of our firm!

Great Must Haves for your first home article, let me know how this fits your home buying

Did you know we also handle uncontested divorces? Call for a consult today. 682.888.1748.

I am so thankful for my loyal clients and referrals! We are always welcoming new business! 🥰

CDC Order and what it means for landlords: The CDC has released an emergency order which HALTS residential evictions through the end of 2020. The order does not apply to commercial tenants. Under the order, any individual who has a lease or housing contract wherein a monthly rent payment is made to the owner cannot be evicted for non-payment of rent. The rent is not forgiven, and penalties and fees will continue to be applied to the account, and renters should still make an effort to pay rent, even if the payments are partial. The order does not halt foreclosures, nor does it halt evictions based on reasons other than non-payment of rent (such as criminal activity or code violations). Please see the full order attached and reach out to our office with any questions - [email protected]
(not intended to be legal advice, please reach out to us for a consult)
A copy of the order is in the comments.

These are tough times, and our office realizes there are many people in need of assistance. The Law Offices of M. Amber Barger is sponsoring a MEAL PLAN hand crafted by a chef and friend of the firm, Rami Rassas. Please reach out to us or send a confidential message to him if you or anyone you know may benefit from fresh delicious home cooked meals during this crisis.

For those who are fortunate enough to be able to order directly, Rami is a celebrated chef who delivers fresh-cooked, vacuum-sealed meals and/or juices right to your doorstep! Please check out his Instagram account, .raw, for more details!

Friendly reminder - use this extra time to allow us to prepare your will! Special "Corona" discount is available now. Send a message here or email [email protected].

We are approaching the first of the month and for many of us that means rent is due. Some landlords are threatening eviction and lock out due to non-payment, which is terrifying for those who are out of work due to the COVID-19 crisis. Rest assured, your landlord CANNOT evict you during this time. The rules vary slightly by county, but currently Dallas county has a moratorium on evictions, meaning your landlord cannot even file eviction proceedings against you in the JP Court. They may not lock you out.

The Law Offices of M. Amber Barger recommends:
1. If you can pay now, then do so. Rent is not waived during this time and if no additional orders are passed, back due rent will be due once the moratorium is lifted.
2. Talk to your landlord. See if you can get on a payment plan.
3. Pay a partial amount if you can.
4. If your landlord locks you out, go to the office and get a new key. This is basically a scare tactic by your landlord and they must let you back in.
5. If your landlord threatens you or will not stop pressuring you, consult with an attorney.

Stay safe!

There is no better time than now to prepare for the unexpected. Our law office is providing discounted flat rates for simple wills. Please message here or email [email protected] for more information.

Yesterday, the federal government passed legislation regarding emergency sick pay for employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have posted a link below which provides an excellent summary of the new guidelines. In short, employers with less than 500 employees are required to provide pay to employees who are sick or need to self-quarantine, as well as those who need to take off work to care for children due to closures. If you have questions about how this may affect your business, please don't hesitate to give us a call at 682.888.1748. Stay safe!

https://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/new-mandate-for-paid-sick-leave-and-long-term-leave-for-some-employers-due-to-covid-19-emergency

New Mandate for Paid Sick Leave and Long-Term Leave for Some Employers Due to COVID-19 Emergency President Donald Trump signed a bill on March 18 to address the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency, imposing a mandate on all employers with fewer than 500 employees, and on all federal and state employers, to provide paid time off to employees who need leave for reasons connected to the...

Clients and friends, please be aware that North Texas courts are joining the list of closures due to COVID-19. While there are some variations based on jurisdiction, jury trials and non-essential hearings have been postponed until at least early April. Additionally, many law firms have elected to postpone depositions, face to face meetings, and other matters in the interest of public health. If you have a current legal case which you think may be affected by these closures, please contact your counsel for advice moving forward. Stay safe!

Law Offices of M. Amber Barger, PLLC updated their website address.