C. E. Schmidt, Katy, Texas - Attorney at Law

Attorney C.E.Schmidt provides legal services in the following areas of law:

FAMILY LAW:
Adoptions
Annulments
Divorce actions
Enforcement actions
Guardianship Actions
Modification of Custody
Name Changes
Paternity
Possession
Protective Orders
Visitation
And most other family law actions.

The level of stress generated during divorce is second only to the death of a child or spouse*. Attorney C.E. Schmidt has over twenty years of experience representing individuals seeking or responding to actions for divorce.

As a law firm committed to helping conscientious individuals, we understand how important it is for children to be able to rely upon the maturity and leadership of a responsible parent in times of uncertainty. We are always mindful of such concerns and take same into careful consideration at the inception of legal representation. The division of community assets, affirmation of separate assets and all related issues including division of liabilities can be complex. Undeclared or undiscovered assets or debts can result in additional and expensive "post-divorce" litigation. Our policy is to work with outside professionals such as tax experts, pension experts and accountants, if necessary, prior to entering final negotiations to allocate such debts and assets.

If appropriate, we are prepared to make a collaborative effort with you and your estranged spouse and opposing counsel to promote an amicable settlement of all outstanding issues where possible. If not, we are likewise prepared to prepare each case for contested final trial before a court or a jury.

We can also provide services such as seeking modifications of custody, child support, name changes, guardianships and private placement adoptions.

Fees charged vary based upon the complexity and nature of the legal matter. Evening appointments are available. There is no charge for the initial "in office" consultation and case evaluation. You may contact the law offices of C.E. Schmidt at 713-840-7877 to schedule an appointment.

(* according to the Social Readjustment Rating Scale.)

PERSONAL INJURY - serious harm caused by:
Employment Discrimination
Motor vehicle accidents: Truck/Auto/ Boat/Recreational Vehicles/Airplanes/SUV Rollovers
Defective Products
Medical and Dental Malpractice
Nursing Home Neglect and Elder Abuse
Wrongful Death
Wrongful Termination
And most other personal injury actions.

You or a member of your family may have been involved in an automobile accident caused by someone else's negligence. Often the emotional trauma and physical pain caused by the injuries sustained in such an unexpected event is only worsened by the treatment encountered when dealing with an insurance adjustor unaware or unconcerned about the consequences of such an intrusion into your life or the life of a family member.

Insurance companies have specially trained investigators, experts and other consultants available to work on their behalf to review your medical and property claims. These experts may provide your adjustor with justification to deny or devalue your claim. Without the proper medical care and diagnostic review of your possible injuries, and access to your own consultants, you may find yourself at a major disadvantage in attempting to negotiate a settlement of a claim on your own.

You may also have questions about how to proceed with your claim and who to turn to for help. If you find yourself in this situation, you need not go it alone. You don't have to operate on an "uneven" playing field". We are here to help. We can assist you in obtaining full and fair compensation for your losses. Our fees for such services are typically charged as a percentage of the total recovery we obtain for you. In the event that we are unable to make a recovery on your behalf, you would not be charged a legal fee.

Legal fees charged for personal injury cases typically range from one-third to one-half of the total recovery and are calculated prior to deducting expended costs. In the event your claims are litigated, whether a recovery is obtained or not obtained for you, you could be obligated to reimburse our law firm for some portion of the costs incurred in prosecuting your claim. Costs normally do not exceed ten percent of the total recovery.

If you would like us to evaluate your claim or loss, please complete the PERSONAL INJURY DATA QUESTIONAIRE attached hereto and bring the completed form to our office at the time of your appointment. You may contact the law offices of C.E. Schmidt at 713-840-7877 to schedule an appointment.

REAL ESTATE
Earnest Money Contracts
Contracts for Deed
Deeds
Deeds of Trust
Real Estate Lien Notes

Nothing is more fraught with potential complications and possible unintended consequences than the purchase of real estate. If you are contemplating the purchase of a new home, an investment property or a building for your business, you would be well served to consult with an attorney prior to signing off on a contract. The Earnest Money Contract that you may be asked to sign will govern the terms of the closing that will follow. Many a litigation over a contract dispute or title or related issue could have been avoided had the purchaser or seller prepared a well "thought out" contract. Attorney C. E. Schmidt has over twenty years experience of representing individuals and business entities entering into real estate transactions. If you would like to preview a contemplated real estate transaction, you are welcome to contact Mr. Schmidt at 713-840-7877 to schedule an appointment.

ESTATE PLANNING
Durable Power of Attorney
Medical Power of Attorney
Guardianships
Probate
Wills and Trusts

As a general rule, a great many of us work very hard and long to acquire and keep property during our lifetime, In spite of such efforts, it is surprising that so many of us die without leaving a will. In other words, during our lifetime, we worry about accumulating wealth, but for inexplicable reasons, may overlook how this property will be distributed upon our death! The end result of this lack of concern is that those who die without a will end up forfeiting or giving up their right to determine the disposition of their property and, more importantly, may fail to provide for the well being of their immediate family members. Departing this life without leaving behind a Will means one is risking the possibility of leaving the security of one's family to chance and the disposition of one's property to the whim and preferences of the state legislature. Hence whatever law happens to be in force at the time of one's death, in the absence of a Will, will control or decide what, who, or how one's property is to be distributed at the time of one's death.

Some of the consequences of this default may be unintended by the deceased. Consider a few past examples of what can take place in the case of a small estate: 1) The surviving spouse may not receive an adequate amount of the decedent's estate, and ; 2) If any of the children are minors, and both parents pass away at the same time, guardianships (which can be expensive) may need to be established. This situation can become far more problematic when the decedent passes on having been married a second time leaving behind a spouse, an ex-spouse and children from both the first and second marriages. The surviving spouse may end up sharing ownership of their home with the adult children of the decedent's former marriage! Even when the decedent passes away having left behind them a properly drawn Will that was likewise kept in a place where it can be easily found, it may turn out to have little value to the beneficiaries if not kept up to date! Matters such as parenthood, grandparenthood, divorce, changing needs of beneficiaries, sale or other disposal of property mentioned in the will, unavailability (death, senility, incapacity) of an executor or trustee, gifts, newly acquired assets, and an increase or decrease in the size of an estate are all reasons why the Will needs to be reviewed from time to time.

If you feel you need to update your Will or haven't yet prepared a Will and would like assistance in such efforts, please feel free to contact the law firm of C.E. Schmidt. You are invited to down load the WILL INFORMATION DATA FORM attached hereto by clicking on the Will icon, fill it out and bring this form to our office after you have scheduled an appointment. You may reach Attorney C.E. Schmidt at 713-840-7877 to schedule an appointment.

CRIMINAL DEFENSE
Assault
Burglary
Carrying A Weapon: CAW
Criminal Mischief
Drug Offenses
Employee Theft
Driving While Intoxicated: DWI
Driving Under the Influence: DUI
Driving While License Suspended: DWLS
Possession of Marijuana: POM
Theft
Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle
And most other criminal law offenses.

Few of us ever really anticipate that we will ever be charged with a criminal offense. It is unfortunate, but true, however, that in our increasingly complex society and in the context of a considerable increase in the number of new laws regulating almost every aspect of our lives, one may unwittingly run afoul of the law! This may also happen regrettably as the result of overindulgence, impulse or even as the result of addiction. Offenses such as DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED, D.U.I., or even DRIVING ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE can be unintentional, but serious, law violations. When faced with a criminal charge, in addition to possible punishments, such as large fines, and incarceration, one may also face additional consequences that could mean the loss of employment, loss of freedom, loss of a license or other consequence. It is important to remember that the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a Court of Law. In all criminal proceedings in the State of Texas, the accused has the right to a trial by jury, and the right to be represented by a lawyer.

If you are facing criminal prosecution, you need not go it alone. Attorney C. E. Schmidt has over twenty years of experience in providing the accused with legal representation and defense in a wide variety of criminal matters. Help may only be a phone call or click away. If you would like to contact our law firm to discuss your case, you are welcome to use the attached questionnaire to tell us more about your pending case. You may reach Attorney C.E. Schmidt at 713-840-7877 to schedule an appointment.