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I live on a residential property in Texas, and I've buried one family member on the land, intending to possibly use more of it as a burial site in the future without any formal designation or profit-making intent. Can I file for a tax exemption for this part of the property?
answered on Apr 2, 2025
Yes, but only for that portion of the property used as a dedicated burial site for human remains.
I'm a 75-year-old disabled woman living in an apartment run by a nonprofit organization. Today, I was informed that my para transit drivers can no longer meet me by the mailboxes on flat ground. Instead, I'm expected to meet them at the top of a hill, which is not ADA-compliant and poses... View More 
I live abroad and I'm interested in wholesaling real estate in Texas. Is it possible for non-U.S. residents to engage in this business? What kind of paperwork or legal requirements should I be aware of? Additionally, there may be situations where I enter into joint ventures (JVs) with other... View More
answered on Apr 1, 2025
Most non-US citizens can buy and sell land and otherwise speculate on the same. However, if you are a Chinese National, or are from a "Terrorist State" country, that type of business is NOT available for you in Texas.
The key is to manage your properties and taxes correctly. Get... View More
I'm facing a situation where my landlord expects me and others to perform various property management tasks and engage in sexual activities without compensation. We were desperate and homeless when we agreed to live there. Additionally, he has frequent fires and employs a convicted arsonist.... View More
I am a landlord in Leander, TX, and my tenants repainted the house poorly against my requests and their own raised standards. Although I communicated these requests to the property management company, they failed to provide proof of communication to the tenants. There's no contract clause... View More
I sold a house in the middle of renovation to another investor last year. Before selling, I informed the contractor to cease all work, and they verbally confirmed that no money was owed. We had a draw payment schedule in the original contract, but no formal agreement to stop the work, only verbal... View More
I submitted a second bid for a property, and my realtor informed me verbally the next day that the bid was accepted. However, I haven't received any written confirmation of the acceptance. Is the realtor obligated to provide a signed document confirming the accepted bid?
answered on Mar 31, 2025
Traditionally, you and the Seller will both sign what is called an "earnest money contract." It will contain the sales price you and the seller agreed upon as well as certain other terms. You will deposit a sum of money with a title company as earnest money (showing that you are... View More
I am the executor for a jointly owned home where one owner has passed away and the surviving owner is in a nursing home. The house has been vacant for more than one year. One party wishes to sell the property, but the other party is opposed. Can I force the other party to sell the house?
answered on Mar 31, 2025
It's not 100% clear who the "parties" are in your question. If you probate the will of the deceased owner, as the court-appointed executor of the deceased owner's estate, you would have legal authority to deal with that half. The surviving owner is trickier, though. Do you hold... View More
I was a defendant in a Trespass to Try Title case in Texas and filed a counterclaim of Unjust Enrichment. During the bench trial, I lost the Trespass to Try Title portion, but the judge acknowledged that my contributions to the property were 85% of its value and that I paid property taxes for over... View More
answered on Mar 31, 2025
You can file a Motion to Modify Judgment under Rule 329b of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. Your deadline to do so in 30 days from the date the Judgment is signed.
Because the Judgment has not been signed yet, you can also prepare an alternative Judgment reflecting the correct amount... View More
I paid the full amount owed to my apartment complex promptly after moving out. Eight months later, I discovered they mistakenly reported my account to a debt collector and the three credit bureaus. Both the debt collector and the apartment manager confirmed verbally and through email that it was an... View More
answered on Mar 29, 2025
I would make sure to dispute it directly with the credit bureaus as well. I would contact a consumer protection attorney familiar with the Fair Credit Reporting Act to discuss potential liability. It's tough to say at this point but happy to answer other questions.
I lost in a jury trial in Justice Court JP3 in Texas over alleged non-payment of rent, despite presenting evidence of timely rent payment. The initial eviction was filed without a notice to vacate in retaliation for my repair and remedy case, which was dismissed. Subsequently, a second eviction was... View More
I live in Texas, and my neighbor is asking me to pay for fence repairs. We share this fence, which has been in place for about 8 years without any repairs. The fence is leaning towards his side, and he previously installed a solar light on the rail with nails. There was no prior agreement about... View More
My severance package includes reimbursement for two months' rent, but the company requires me to remove my personal belongings from the apartment by March 31st for the payment to be processed. My name remains on the lease, and I have access to the apartment. I am confused as to why my... View More
answered on Mar 27, 2025
I want to know if you work for the lease company.
The removal of your things should have something to do with the landlord giving back the security deposit.
I need more information to give you a better answer.
I hope this helps.
I'm named as a beneficiary on my father's ladybird deed, along with my sister. The deed has been recorded. My father has recently passed away, and the property is neither occupied nor leased. There are no outstanding debts or taxes, and no restrictions or conditions on the deed. What... View More
answered on Mar 26, 2025
First, I'm sorry to hear about your father's passing. You and your sister are now owners. For clarity with the title, you may want to file an affidavit of death with the real property records in the County clerks office. You need to decide how you wish to handle the property. If you plan... View More
I am near the end of a 1-year lease on a home, and the water heater has been broken for 4 months. I have made multiple repair requests since November, including emails and phone calls. Initially, a technician was sent, but he wasn't qualified to fix a gas water heater. A contractor later... View More
answered on Mar 26, 2025
Unless your lease expressly authorized you to withhold rent for this reason, you should not withhold rent.
Chapter 92 of the Texas Property Code does provide you as a tenant with a different remedy called "repair and deduct." See Section 92.0561. You must comply with all the... View More
I recently sold a piece of land, and the survey has just been completed. The buyer has not yet made any payment, and I did not use an attorney or a title company. I need assistance in obtaining and recording the warranty deeds, preferably by the end of the month. How should I proceed with this... View More
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answered on Mar 25, 2025
You have not sold land yet. Without a deed conveyance and getting paid, you have done nothing but possibly get into legal trouble, and definitely will cause problems for all concerned. Hire a TX attorney to search the title, draft appropriate deeds which incorporate legal descriptions from the... View More
I am reaching out to inquire whether I am eligible to apply for a Texas real estate license. I hold an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) under my asylum status and have met the required education requirements. I am currently residing in Texas. The Texas Real Estate Commission advised me to... View More
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answered on Mar 24, 2025
Your question about Texas real estate licensing with an EAD under asylum status raises important considerations. While having work authorization through your EAD allows you to legally work in the United States, professional licensing requirements can have additional criteria beyond work... View More
I cut across private property in Addison while looking for a restaurant. What should I do in this situation?
answered on Mar 21, 2025
It does not appear that there is anything for you to do at this time. In the future, however, you should avoid entering private property without the permission of the owner especially if there are indications, like no trespassing signs or fencing, that the owner is restricting entry.
I'm in the process of selling a property after a divorce. The divorce decree clearly states that I have no debt, yet there is a HELOC loan taken jointly by my ex-spouse and me. Am I responsible for the HELOC loan repayment during the sale of the property considering the terms of the divorce decree?
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answered on Mar 21, 2025
Under Texas law, your divorce decree may state that you are not responsible for any debts, but lenders are not bound by divorce decrees—they are only bound by the original loan agreement. If you signed the HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) jointly, the lender can still hold you personally... View More
I am trying to determine the next in line for inheritance for an estate in Texas without a will. The deceased had no children and was never married. Both parents and grandparents have passed away. I am a first cousin. If one cousin is deceased and their spouse is also deceased, would their children... View More
answered on Mar 20, 2025
Take your family tree starting with the decedent's grandparents and including all of the grandparents' deceased descendants to a probate lawyer in or near the county where you live.
With the decedent being single and childless, and both parents having died first, the... View More
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