Real Estate Law and Asset Protection Book 2026 Edition

Real Estate Law and Asset Protection
for Texas Real Estate Investors

By David J. Willis, J.D., LL.M.
Texas Attorney & Real Estate Broker
2026 Edition, 817 pages

“The most important real estate book you will ever read!” – Attorney Keaton Frieberg, San Antonio

Table of Contents

PART I. CONTRACTS AND CLOSINGS

Chapter 1. – Residential Contracts: the Value of Special Provisions
Chapter 2. – Disclosure Obligations of Sellers and their Brokers and Agents
Chapter 3. – “As Is” Conveyances in Texas Residential Transactions
Chapter 4. – Title Insurance in Texas
Chapter 5. – Earnest Money Disputes
Chapter 6. – Affidavits of Heirship
Chapter 7. – Lis Pendens

PART II. OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER OF TEXAS REAL ESTATE

Chapter 8. – Deeds in Texas
Chapter 9. – Co-Ownership of Real Property
Chapter 10. – Deeding Property to an LLC

PART III. NOTEWORTHY STATE AND FEDERAL LAW

Chapter 11. – Fraud by Residential Real Estate Sellers in Texas
Chapter 12. – Deceptive Trade Practices Act
Chapter 13. – Executory Contracts in Texas Real Estate
Chapter 14. – The Statute of Frauds
Chapter 15. – The Safe Act and Dodd-Frank
Chapter 16. – Loan Fraud and Money Laundering
Chapter 17. – FinCEN Reporting and the Residential Rule

PART IV. CREATIVE TRANSACTIONS IN TEXAS REAL ESTATE

Chapter 18. – Seller Financing in Texas Residential Transactions
Chapter 19. – Assumptions in Texas
Chapter 20. – “Subject To” Transactions
Chapter 21. – Wraparound Transactions in Texas
Chapter 22. – Due-on-Sale Considerations
Chapter 23. – Lease -Options, Lease-Purchases, & Preferential Rights
Chapter 24. – Adverse Possession in Texas

PART V. LLCs, PARTNERSHIPS AND JOINT VENTURES

Chapter 25. – LLC Formation in Texas
Chapter 26. – The Series LLCs: An Overview
Chapter 27. – Registered, Protected, & Ordinary Series
Chapter 28. – Sale And Assignment of LLC Membership Interests
Chapter 29. – Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreements in LLCs
Chapter 30. – LLC Tax and Banking Issues
Chapter 31. – Piercing the Veil
Chapter 32. – Partnerships and Joint Ventures in Texas

PART VI. TRUSTS IN TEXAS REAL ESTATE

Chapter 33. – Basic Principals of Living Trusts
Chapter 34. – Living Trusts for the Homestead
Chapter 35. – Investor Land Trusts

PART VII. ASSET PROTECTION STRUCTURING 

Chapter 36. – The Two-Company Structure
Chapter 37. – Asset Protection Graphics

PART VIII. ASSET PROTECTION STRATEGIES 

Chapter 38. – Asset Protection in Texas
Chapter 39. – Anonymity in Texas Real Estate
Chapter 40. – Assumed Names
Chapter 41. – Homestead Protections in Texas
Chapter 42. – Lein Release and Removal
Chapter 43. – Equity Stripping for Asset Protection

PART IX. RESIDENTIAL LEASING IN TEXAS

Chapter 44. – Security Deposits in Residential Leases
Chapter 45. – The Texas Realtors Residential Lease

Chapter 46. – Eviction of Residential Tenants

PART X. FORECLOSURES IN TEXAS
Chapter 47. – Foreclosures in Texas

PART XI. TEXAS LITIGATION AND JUDGMENTS
Chapter 48.- Real Estate Litigation in Texas
Chapter 49. – Partition of Texas Real Estate
Chapter 50. – Mediation

PART XII. TEXAS LITIGATION AND JUDGMENTS

Chapter 51. – Judgments in Texas
Chapter 52. – Fraudulent Transfers to Avoid Creditors
PART XIII. ASSIGNMENTS AND TRANSFERS OF INTERESTS

Chapter 53. – Buying and Selling Real Estate Notes
Chapter 54. – Wholesaling of Residential Earnest Money Contracts
PART XIV. OTHER TOPICS OF INTEREST TO REAL ESTATE INVESTORS
Chapter 55. – Redemption Issues for Investors
Chapter 56. – Hard-Money Lending

Book Reviews

“A practical guide for attorneys and anyone getting into real estate. Recommended! ” — Attorney Nathaniel Gilbert, San Antonio 

“The most important real estate book you will ever read!” — Attorney Keaton Frieberg, New Braunfels

“David and his books are my first resource. A must read. ”— Attorney Donald Jones, Dallas

“David offers a wealth of sage advice with keen insights.” — Attorney Brian Gutierrez, Bryan

“This book is amazing! Many great tips and creative solutions.” — Attorney Zachary Copp, Dallas

“Extremely informative real. Very well done.”Attorney Christopher Barber, Houston

“David is one of the best. A must read!” — Attorney Paul Spielvogel, The Woodlands

“What a great resource! “Attorney John Andrews, Dallas

“The best reference for need-to-know real estate law in Texas.” — Attorney Jason Kraus, Houston

“I frequently refer to this book. Extremely helpful.”Attorney Lisa Galvan, San Antonio

“A terrific resource!”Attorney Kathleen Crook, El Paso

“A great tool! Investors should have a copy of this book.”Attorney Paul Katz, Boulder

“Impressive. Benefits real estate investors and attorneys.”Attorney James Robert Smith, Houston

“Excellent! “Attorney J. Thomas Black, Houston

“A fantastic book for lawyers and all real estate professionals!”Attorney Kevin J. Smith, Houston

“Perfect for someone who wants to learn more about contracts, different types of deeds, creative transactions and asset protection strategies.” Attorney Richard Weaver, Houston

“Definitely helped when I took the board certification exams.”Attorney Derek Pershing, Houston