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Texas Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Construction Law for Texas on
Q: This is for San Antonio TX. Does a builder have to honor the sales agreement price even if they messed up the numbers.

We entered into a contract for build in November 23. We made structural upgrades to the build. The builder never moved those numbers to the sales agreement. We then made design upgrades. We again amended the sales agreement but it never had structural upgrade costs put on it. The builder, nor us,... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 10, 2024

The answer to your question depends on whether your contract with the builder was a "fixed price" contract (e.g., "I will building you that house for $500,000") or a "cost-plus" contract (e.g., "I will build you that house for whatever it costs me plus 10%").... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Texas on
Q: Does a handwritten will in TX allow assets to go to the spouse without being probated if that is what it stipulates?

The spouse is selling the house but title is saying that the deceased’s 2 adult children have to get half the proceeds from the sale since the will wasn’t probated unless they sign off not receive any of the proceeds. He had his body donated to science so the spouse said the probated will... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 9, 2024

Unless and until a Will is probated, it is not effective to transfer assets from a deceased person to his/her heirs. It doesn't matter if the Will is a handwritten (in legal terminology, that is called a "holographic" Will) or typewritten/word processed with all the formalities.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: Can u get a deed in ur name if u have a bill of sail and the deed but the owner does before the title was transferred?
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 8, 2024

At any time, you can get the Seller to provide to you a deed for real property you have purchased. Typically, a "bill of sale" is not prepared in connection with the sale of real property. The Seller signing the deed and delivering it to you transfers title, but recording the deed in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: Is it possible to cancel a real estate listing contract with an agent after we decide to not sell home that's an estate?

I am selling a home that is part of my late father's estate. We entered into a listing contract with an agent, however, a short time later one of the siblings decided to keep the home as his portion of the estate. Is it possible to cancel that contract without owing the agent a full comission?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 5, 2024

It depends on the language of your contract. Presumably, since the home is part of your late father's estate, you have been appointed as the personal representative of the estate and entered into the listing agreement in that capacity. If so, depending on the language of the listing... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: I want an attorney asap to represent me in an eviction appeal from the trial to appellate court in Harris county, Texas.
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 4, 2024

Obviously this is a commercial eviction. I handle commercial eviction cases statewide, including appeals to the courts of appeal.

(If, for some reason, this is a residential eviction, please disregard as the courts of appeal lack jurisdiction to hear such cases).

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: my house is 50 years oil and also the fence the property was brought by someone he is demanding i move my fence . do i

do i have to move fence been told that texas law adverse procession says i do not have move it we mow and matain this 4 foot stretch

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 2, 2024

It depends upon the nature of the fence. Under Texas law, there are two kinds of fences: “casual fences” and fences that “designedly enclose” an area. Courts have repeatedly found that maintenance of a casual fence does not create a designed enclosure, nor does it begin the running of the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Probate and Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: I am living in a home owners both died, in court over property rights utilities my name, 90days occupied. Gt CTed legal?

I found all the paperwork the deed the title and the living will of the previous owners that are deceased we have made improvements to the property and they've had no problem out of us all of a sudden we got ct'd even though all the bills are in our name they told us to move out... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 1, 2024

Based on the information you've provided, it sounds like you are dealing with a complex legal situation involving property rights and occupancy after the homeowners' deaths. While I can provide some general information, it's important to note that laws can vary by jurisdiction, so... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law and Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: How can I invest in my daughter without getting an unreasonable tax burden with my federal taxes?

My daughter will create LLC in Panama to manage her Airbnb property. She has dual citizenship. USA and Panama. I plan to establish LLC to pay her a salary to manage her property until she gets a footing and is earning enough from the properties to be self suffient.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 30, 2024

There are a few options to consider for investing in your daughter's Panama LLC while minimizing your federal tax burden:

1. Gift tax exclusion: You can gift up to $18,000 per year (as of 2024) to your daughter without triggering any gift tax. If you're married, you and your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Libel & Slander and Probate for Texas on
Q: Our parents died 37 hours apart in 2018. Their will was basic and simple just naming the other as beneficiary.

My then new born brother was named the executor. 67 years later both parents passed within 37 hours. Our mother was mentally incapacitated. My brother began his role as executor even though he had a long history of drug abuse, had been batteling cancer for 7 years in poor health. The farm was... View More

Ronald Lee Baranski Jr
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answered on Apr 1, 2024

I'm sorry for your loss, In Texas a Will must be submitted for probate within 4 years unless the applicant can show a valid reason as to why it was delayed. Here there was no probate. I would be interested in how the brother divided anything if it involved real property. Though he could write... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: Does relative have legal right to access water well with my land? There is no easement recorded in my deed.
John Cucci Jr.
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answered on Mar 28, 2024

NO!

Any rights to land in TX, and the USA, must be in writing and recorded with the county clerk.

I hope this helps.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: Can I ask for more money than the other co-owners when selling an inherited home?

I want to sell the home for Fair Market Value. The mother of buyer wants to sell for less. Buyer agreed to pay me more so does the mother determine how much I will get from the sale? The home is co-owner by 3 people.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 28, 2024

In the absence of an agreement to the contrary, equal co-owners will split the net proceeds of the sale in equal portions. So, in your situation, you need to reach an agreement with all three co-owners that you will receive a greater portion. If one of the co-owners is a minor, the minor's... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Appeals / Appellate Law, Energy, Oil and Gas and Libel & Slander for Texas on
Q: Can you ask the court for a writ of possession?

Can you ask the District Court for a writ of possession from a title action in 1938 in Texas due to a person claiming title through a person who from whom the property is recovered and against a person claiming the property through that party to the action that title was recovered from the first... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 28, 2024

A quitclaim deed does not transfer title and shouldn't create a cloud on your title. A judgment usually becomes dormant after ten years. You may need to file a quiet title action against the new party claiming an adverse interest to your ownership in the land.

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: I need to clear a clouded title and I don't know what I should do first. Would a quiet title work?
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Apr 4, 2024

In performing curative title work, the best course of action depends upon the particular facts and circumstances which are creating a cloud on the title. Sometimes, a quiet title action is the best course of action, but not always. You should consult a real estate litigator in or near the county... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Animal / Dog Law, Municipal Law and Small Claims for Texas on
Q: Neighbor's cat using our house as a litter box on various spots for past two month.

A neighbor's cat using our house as a litter box for the past two months. It took me about a month to find out the owner of the cat. I have spoken to them about this problem twice but they have not done anything to prevent their cat roaming freely. This has caused quite a nuisance in front of... View More

John Cucci Jr.
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answered on Mar 24, 2024

That is a problem. Call the Animal Control office one more time. Get the name of everyone you talk to there and take notes of the call. If you get no help, you can start a small claims case against the cat owner, Animal Control, AND the HOA. That will cost you about $60. But you will get... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Texas on
Q: My mom passed away. She had a house with a mortgage no will. Someone wants me to transfer title.

Asked for a general warranty deed so I can transfer title. I do not want the property since there is a mortgage. Any repercussions doing this?

John Cucci Jr.
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answered on Mar 23, 2024

Be careful!

I recommend getting a lawyer, or at least sitting with one to get all your options. You should find out how much is owed on the mortgage, and how much the house is worth.

I would like more info to give you solid advice. Do you have any siblings? Dead or alive? Do they...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: My husband built our house himself on his deeded property, more than 30 years ago but never got a ‘deed’ to the house.

Does the land deed then become the house deed as proof of ownership for the house and property?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 26, 2024

Yes. An improvement like a fixed-position home becomes a part of the land. A deed conveying the land also conveys the home. Just like when you buy a vacant parcel of land and build a home on it.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law and Civil Litigation for Texas on
Q: can I with hold payment from a company, if they refuse to give me an itemized bill when requested for a service?

I had a water mitigation company come out tear down a very small portion of my ceiling, and had a few fans and 2 dehumidifiers running for four and half days, they are charging me $8K+ for the work, which I believe is outrageous, so I have repeatedly asked for an Itemized invoice, they have claimed... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 21, 2024

Unless your agreement with the water restoration company specifies that payment is conditioned upon receipt of a detailed itemized invoice, an itemized invoice is not a condition precedent to your obligation to pay for the service rendered.

In most situations like yours involving small...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: how can I transfer property (house and lot) title to my name? My husband died and left no will, we lived together here

My husband and I were married and have been living here for 10 yrs. We bought this house together but I found out that my name is not in the title when he died. We were living in this house when he died at the hospital and he left no will.

John Cucci Jr.
John Cucci Jr. pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 19, 2024

The good news is that the property is yours until your death, automatically.

There can be a snag, if you had any children during the marriage. But, if you bought the property during the marriage, while you both lived in TX, and have no kids from the marriage, the property is yours alone....
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2 Answers | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law, Contracts and Construction Law for Texas on
Q: What can I file saying that my neighbor agrees to let me put a business sign on their property?

The neighbor is also a business. It's in an unincorporated zone in Llano Tx, so there are no sign permits. The official property lines on the Land Title are like 3-4 ft off so everyone's lot is technically overlapping.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 15, 2024

Signage easement.

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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Texas on
Q: What is the utma law when it comes to a death by deed and how does it apply

Because when I did the death by deed for my father for my son to get it the property we were both under the impression he would not get it till he's 21 because of the utma law but I'm told recently that does not apply.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 12, 2024

In Texas, a minor can own property. A "transfer on death" deed (TODD) vests title in real property in the grantee upon the death of the grantor. The grantee's age is not a factor. So, for example, if your father owns a house, he could execute a TODD to your son that would transfer... View More

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