Estes-Hightower PLLC

Estes-Hightower PLLC Estes-Hightower PLLC has been drafting docs over 20 years.

The more you pay a Sports Trainer represents how much more that Sports Trainer will whip you into shape. The higher cost...
02/02/2023

The more you pay a Sports Trainer represents how much more that Sports Trainer will whip you into shape. The higher cost of training will represent the more it will cause you to burn in calories. It's funny because the more a customer complains about intense physical training results in more training intensity. Why? Because when you complain it represents your lack of knowledge and effort that it takes to get your body lean and tone. Once you stop complaining and do the work, then you start to understand the process. First, you learn by doing the work how the body reacts. Second, you learn that the more you complain, then the harder you train.

Folks, that is the same when hiring an Attorney. The higher the retainer amount that you pay an Attorney should represent how much more the Attorney will whip you into shape. It is not uncommon for clients to pay beyond average Attorney fees and want to sit back and expect the Attorney to simply make it happen. Those are the clients who will inevitably waste money. The more you pay an Attorney represents how much more you have to be involved with your case. Just like the Sports Trainer yells and expects you to do as instructed. A highly paid Attorney, who may or may not yell, expects you to do as advised. Just like the Sports Trainer who pushes you harder when you complain is what you can expect when you complain to an Attorney.

If you complain to an Attorney that "I'm not an Attorney or I don't know the law," in response to an Attorney who presents you with something you have to do on a case, then that Attorney must work with you more and with more intensity. When hiring an Attorney for litigation you must anticipate one day sitting on a witness stand. If you are sitting on a witness stand and thinking I'm not an Attorney and don't know the law, then you will do horribly on the witness stand.

I typically tell clients that after the initial consultation that every conversation thereafter needs to be received as if you were asked a question on the witness stand. Thus, you must respond as if you are on the stand. Why? First, talking in court takes skill and as a client you will need as much time as possible to learn the skill of in-court communication. Second, you never know how Opposing Counsel will rake you over the coals on cross examination. So, you must know your case strategy through and through. It takes time to learn. You must understand the changes and dynamics happen quickly and you must adjust to the transitions. And, that learning needs to begin as soon as possible.

You must take the weeks and months that you have with your Attorney and work hard to understand why you have to produce a particular document or read everything that the other side produces during the discovery period. If you ask questions and start to show progress in understanding particular legal steps, then the more the Attorney's efforts will be realized. It is rare that a Sports Trainer will provide you with a written manual on the steps of physical training. You learn how to get physically fit by doing as the Sports Trainer instructs. And, the epiphany just happens and you understand. You may even begin doing your own independent learning.

A Sports Trainer or any professional will get annoyed at a customer who needs the extra work because in between sessions the customer does not self improve. And, yes you will find a Sports Trainer will not always be at your beck and call. However, the Sports Trainer's instructions must be heeded even when the Sports Trainer is not around. Otherwise, you can expect to work even harder because you binged snack foods over the weekend when instructed on how to eat two weeks before. Equally so, an Attorney may not answer every call, but the Attorney is required to respond as soon as available. Yet, in between sessions, an Attorney doesn't want a client to lose ground. Set and meet scheduled appointments with your Attorney and be prepared to work and continue the work outside of the Attorney's presence.

In the end, please don't think the more you pay means the less you should participate. Also, please know that the less you understand, then the more intensity is needed to increase your understanding. Lastly, the less you participate in things that apply to you, then it will influence how poorly you will do in the end.

In many Texas family courts, you must attend mediation shortly after filing the case. Or, you must attend mediation befo...
01/07/2023

In many Texas family courts, you must attend mediation shortly after filing the case. Or, you must attend mediation before arguing in a hearing for temporary orders if your case is not entirely new, but it's still a long way from trial. (Temporary Orders result when cases are not ready for trial but need interim relief.) So, let's say you have an urgent matter and you want to go before the Judge. Despite your sense of urgency, the family court Judge likely will still require mediation. In some extremely urgent matters, a Judge may hear the case without mediation. However, most interim matters require mediation. Mediation for temporary orders does not mean the courts want you to agree to anything or everything in mediation. Look, you filed a case and you want to be heard, but the reality is you need to take a number. THE FAMILY COURTS ARE BACKLOGGED!! Instead of getting "Take a Number" instead you get mediation. Your case cannot automatically jump to the head of a long line of cases before yours. The family courts are not insensitive, just overwhelmed. If the case can resolve interim issues at mediation, then great. You are never required to agree or settle. You are only required to attend mediation and negotiate in good faith. When a mediation agreement is not reached, then you request a court date and keep the case moving. (This is similar to final mediations for final trial.)

Don't forget to update
01/31/2022

Don't forget to update

As a child growing up in Texas, I thought everyone recognized Juneteenth. Not so! It's great that now America will have ...
06/17/2021

As a child growing up in Texas, I thought everyone recognized Juneteenth. Not so! It's great that now America will have an opportunity to recognize June 19th and the unique name given this day, Juneteenth. Living in Houston is especially significant on Juneteenth. As the news hit Galveston's shore on June 19, 1865 that slavery ended, informed, former slaves traveled to Houston and developed communities in the Fourth Ward. I love this story of resiliency and determination to make a better life. Today folks of all cultures live throughout Houston, but traveling to Fourth Ward one can still see vestiges of former slave built communities.

The House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday making Juneteenth, the day commemorating the official end of slavery in the United States, a federal holiday.

If you're anxious to file a civil lawsuit, then I encourage you to have patience. There are precursors before filing a s...
11/15/2020

If you're anxious to file a civil lawsuit, then I encourage you to have patience. There are precursors before filing a suit. One being Demand Letters.

What you need to know in a minute or less The early stages of a legal dispute are often marked by the exchange of demand letters. While they typically receive less attention than formal legal filin

Get your copy. Just $2.99 on Amazon's Kindle. CLICK THE LINK!
08/13/2020

Get your copy. Just $2.99 on Amazon's Kindle. CLICK THE LINK!

A Guide to Avoiding the Pitfalls of Plea Bargaining a Criminal Case

Doing Businesses in Texas, then don't forget to set up your LLC. It starts with a Certificate of Formation. There are li...
08/10/2020

Doing Businesses in Texas, then don't forget to set up your LLC. It starts with a Certificate of Formation. There are liability and tax advantages.

Estate planning starts with a Will, but we can advise on other options such as how to secure assets and how to earn mone...
07/21/2020

Estate planning starts with a Will, but we can advise on other options such as how to secure assets and how to earn money from untapped resources.

Yes, there are many tax questions surrounding a Will versus a Trust. Texas does not have estate taxes. The federal estat...
07/10/2020

Yes, there are many tax questions surrounding a Will versus a Trust. Texas does not have estate taxes. The federal estate tax won't apply in every case. And, some Trusts have their tax advantages. Purchase a low cost Attorney phone consultation and let's talk about it.

In the event of the death of your spouse, or your need to attend to the affairs of another taxpayer, this page will provide you with information to help you resolve the final tax issues of the deceased taxpayer and their estate.

Estate planning is about your legacy. Now is the time to set up your Will or Trust. If you're not sure, we offer low cos...
06/29/2020

Estate planning is about your legacy. Now is the time to set up your Will or Trust. If you're not sure, we offer low cost Attorney phone consultations to further advise you.

We absolutely handle Living Trusts!
06/26/2020

We absolutely handle Living Trusts!

Congratulations to the 2020 college graduates. Here are tested truths and some sage advice. Keep striving!
06/11/2020

Congratulations to the 2020 college graduates. Here are tested truths and some sage advice. Keep striving!

Graduating from college can be confusing and challenging in the best of times, not to mention a post-COVID-19 world.

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5718 Westheimer Road Suite 1000
Houston, TX
77057

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+13464350927

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