Part 4: When to Lawyer Up — Signs of a Problem

At Philip Meyer PLLC – Attorney at Law, we’ve worked with Texas property owners who’ve been left in the dark or stonewalled by title insurers. The reality is: the sooner you recognize the red flags, the better positioned you are to protect your rights.

In this final part of our Title Insurance Claim 101 series, we break down the key signs it’s time to bring in legal help—and how doing so can often turn the tide.

If the title company keeps asking for more documentation, more time, or keeps transferring your file between departments without progress, that’s a problem. Some delay is expected—but endless stalling often signals a company trying to wear you down.

What a lawyer can do:

We can step in to demand timely responses, escalate the claim within the company, and hold them accountable to their contractual obligations.

Some claims are clear-cut, like a missed lien or clerical error. Others, like disputed ownership, forged signatures, or easement battles, get legally messy—fast. If your claim involves a lawsuit, threats to your ownership, or disputed facts, don’t go it alone.

What a lawyer can do:

We’ll evaluate whether the title company has a duty to defend you—and if they don’t, we can provide that legal defense ourselves.

A claim denial doesn’t always mean the end. Insurers can—and do—misinterpret policy terms, rely on narrow technicalities, or deny coverage without proper basis.

What a lawyer can do:

We review the denial, challenge it if it’s unjustified, and negotiate with the insurer or pursue litigation if needed.

Every day a title defect goes unresolved, you could be incurring costs—delays in selling or refinancing, legal expenses, or repair bills tied to the dispute.

What a lawyer can do:

We expedite resolution and seek compensation not just for covered issues, but also for any losses resulting from insurer delay or bad faith.

Even if things seem to be going smoothly, legal help upfront can prevent future headaches. An attorney can manage communications with the title company, advise you on what to say (or not say), and make sure your rights are fully protected from day one.

What a lawyer can do:

We expedite resolution and seek compensation not just for covered issues, but also for any losses resulting from insurer delay or bad faith.

Title insurance is meant to protect you—not frustrate you. But like any insurance product, it often takes legal pressure to make the system work as it should. If you sense that your title claim is heading off track—or simply want guidance before it does—getting legal help early can save you time, money, and stress.

Thanks for following along in our Title Insurance Claim 101 series. If you missed the earlier parts, you can revisit them anytime:

• Part 1: What Title Insurance Covers (And What It Doesn’t)
• Part 2: Filing a Claim — Documents, Timeline, and Strategy
• Part 3: What to Expect from the Title Company’s Investigation