What is considered a breach of contract in Texas?

A breach occurs when one party fails to perform an obligation required under a valid contract — whether written or, in many cases, verbal — without a legally valid excuse for doing so.

How long do I have to file a civil lawsuit in Texas?

It depends on the type of claim. Many contract claims have a four-year statute of limitations, while other civil claims may have shorter windows. Because these deadlines vary, it's important to speak with an attorney as soon as a dispute arises.

Can I sue someone for a verbal agreement?

In many cases, yes — verbal contracts can be enforceable under Texas law, though they can be harder to prove than written agreements. Evidence such as communications, performance under the agreement, or witnesses can help establish the terms.

What should I do if a business partner isn't honoring our agreement?

Document the specific ways the agreement isn't being honored and consult an attorney promptly. Partnership disputes often involve both contract obligations and fiduciary duties, and early legal guidance can prevent the situation from worsening.

Do I need a lawyer to collect a debt someone owes me?

Not always for small amounts, but a formal demand letter or legal action from an attorney is often what finally prompts payment when informal requests have failed.

Does McArthur Hammond McGee only handle civil matters in Cleburne?

No. While we're based in Cleburne, we also handle general civil litigation in Hood, Somervell, Hill, Erath, Tarrant, Bosque, and Parker Counties.

How much does a civil litigation attorney cost in Texas?

Costs vary depending on the complexity of the dispute and how far it proceeds — from a resolved demand letter to a full trial. We discuss fee expectations clearly during a consultation.

Brass scales of justice on a dark walnut table with contract documents

All Practice Areas

04 · Practice Area

Texas General Civil Litigation Lawyer

McArthur Hammond McGee, Attorneys at Law

Overview

McArthur Hammond McGee, Attorneys at Law is a Texas-based law firm handling general civil litigation, including breach of contract disputes, business and partnership disputes, debt collection, property damage claims, and other civil disputes throughout Johnson County and the surrounding region, including Hood, Somervell, Hill, Erath, Tarrant, Bosque, and Parker Counties.

Not every legal dispute fits neatly into a single category. A contractor who didn't finish the job. A business partner who stopped honoring an agreement. A neighbor whose actions damaged your property. A debt someone refuses to pay despite a clear obligation. These disputes don't always make headlines, but they can cost real money, real time, and real peace of mind — and they deserve the same serious representation as any other legal matter.

At the Texas-based law firm of McArthur Hammond McGee, Attorneys at Law, our lawyers are dedicated to providing you the guidance you need to help resolve your legal matters, including the civil disputes that don't fit a narrow label but still demand a real legal strategy.

We represent individuals, families, and small businesses across Johnson County and the surrounding counties in a wide range of civil matters, whether that means pursuing a claim, defending against one, or resolving a dispute before it escalates into full litigation.

If you're involved in a contract dispute, a business disagreement, or another civil matter and aren't sure where it fits, don't assume it's too small or too complicated to pursue. Texas law imposes statutes of limitations on most civil claims — waiting can eliminate your right to recover.

Why It Matters

Why a Texas Civil Litigation Lawyer Matters

General civil disputes are resolved in the same county courts that handle everything else in the community, and a firm rooted in that community brings real advantages.

We know the Johnson County civil courts.

Filing procedures, local rules, and how judges tend to handle contested civil matters all shape case strategy from day one.

We understand small business and local commerce disputes.

Many civil disputes in this region involve local businesses, contractors, and agreements between neighbors or longtime community members — situations that require a different touch than a corporate litigation firm might bring.

We respond quickly.

Civil disputes often involve mounting financial damage the longer they go unresolved — unpaid invoices, ongoing property damage, or a business relationship that keeps deteriorating.

We understand the region's business and community landscape.

From family-owned businesses to agricultural operations, we understand the kinds of disputes that actually arise here.

What We Handle

Civil Matters We Handle Across Texas

Breach of Contract

When one party fails to uphold their end of a written or verbal agreement, the other party may be entitled to damages, contract enforcement, or in some cases rescission of the agreement entirely.

Business & Partnership Disputes

Disagreements between business partners, disputes over ownership interests, breach of a partnership agreement, or disputes arising from a business's dissolution all require careful navigation of both contract law and, often, fiduciary obligations between partners.

Debt Collection & Creditor Disputes

Pursuing unpaid debts, defending against improper collection practices, or resolving disputes over the validity of a debt all fall within Texas civil law, with specific procedures both creditors and debtors must follow.

Property Damage Claims

When another party's negligence or intentional conduct causes damage to your property — whether real property or personal property — Texas law allows recovery of damages through a civil claim.

Contract Drafting & Dispute Prevention

Not every civil matter starts as a dispute. We also assist individuals and small businesses with drafting clear, enforceable contracts to prevent disputes before they happen.

Small Business Disputes

Vendor disagreements, disputes over services rendered, and disagreements between businesses and clients are common across the region — and often resolve faster with an attorney involved early.

Fraud & Misrepresentation Claims

When someone knowingly makes a false statement to induce you into a transaction — financial, contractual, or otherwise — Texas law provides remedies for the resulting harm.

What's at Stake

What's at Stake When Civil Disputes Go Unaddressed

Many people delay addressing a civil dispute, assuming it will resolve on its own or isn't worth the legal cost. Left unaddressed, though:

Statutes of limitations can expire, permanently barring a valid claim
Evidence — emails, invoices, communications — can be lost or become harder to obtain over time
Financial harm can compound the longer a dispute goes unresolved
A party acting in bad faith can continue doing so unchecked
Informal attempts to resolve a dispute can be used against you later if the matter proceeds to litigation

The Process

How General Civil Litigation Typically Unfolds

Initial case review

We evaluate the facts, any contracts or agreements involved, and the strength of the claim or defense.

Demand & negotiation

Many civil disputes are resolved through a formal demand letter and negotiation before a lawsuit is ever filed.

Filing suit

If negotiation fails, a lawsuit is filed in the appropriate Johnson County (or relevant county) civil court.

Discovery

Contracts, financial records, communications, and other evidence are gathered to build the case.

Mediation or settlement

Many civil cases resolve at this stage, avoiding the time and cost of trial.

Trial

When no resolution is reached, the matter proceeds to trial before the court.

Where We Serve

Serving Texas & the Surrounding Counties

While we are based in Texas, we regularly handle civil litigation throughout the wider region:

Johnson County

Cleburne — our home county and civil courts

Hood County

Granbury-area civil disputes

Somervell County

Glen Rose-area contract and property matters

Hill County

Hillsboro-area civil disputes

Erath County

Stephenville-area civil litigation

Tarrant County

Fort Worth-area civil and business disputes

Bosque County

Meridian-area business and contract matters

Parker County

Weatherford-area civil litigation

Civil court procedures, filing requirements, and scheduling can vary from one county to the next. A firm already familiar with these differences means faster, more informed action when a dispute needs attention.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Take Action

Talk to a Texas Civil Litigation Lawyer Today

Whatever the dispute — a broken agreement, a business disagreement, an unpaid debt, or damage to your property — you don't have to navigate it alone, and you don't have to let a valid claim slip past its deadline.

Contact McArthur Hammond McGee, Attorneys at Law today to discuss your case and your options.

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Other Disciplines

Criminal Probate / Fiduciary Litigation Estate Planning Real Estate Transactions and Litigation Family Law Tickets/Citations Mediation