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Texas Energy, Oil and Gas Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Energy, Oil and Gas for Texas on
Q: My Father was contacted by East Texas land and Cattle out of Texas about a month ago regarding suspense account money..

Suspense account is for unclaimed oil money/mineral rights is in a deceased aunts name, dead since 1988. He said that my Dad and his siblings are heirs and he just sent my dad a consulting agreement that says Dad will pay this company 10% of the gross money recovered. There is a section called... View More

Aimee Hess
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Aimee Hess
answered on Aug 7, 2020

You do not give the name of the company, but you are right to be wary of these come-ons. All the companies making these offers that I have run into are scams. You don't need to pay anyone to locate your aunt's mineral interests and get paid. First, go to the Texas Comptroller Website and... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Construction Law, Real Estate Law, Small Claims and Energy, Oil and Gas for Texas on
Q: I received a $1000 water bill for 2 weeks only at my vacant house

Hello, I received a $1000 water bill for 2 weeks only at my vacant house. I did not use any water because I locked the exterior water faucets and interior water shut off valves. When a city private contractor installed a smart point on the water meter, the software went wrong. Then the data... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 21, 2020

A Texas attorney could advise best, but your post remains open for two weeks. From your question, it sounds like you're under the impression this is a law firm, because you ask for representation. This is only a question and answer board. Before pouring money into exploring the possibility of... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Energy, Oil and Gas for Texas on
Q: Someone contacted my Father and his siblings saying that there is a suspense account in the name of a deceased aunt

He said it was regarding royalties to mineral rights on land his grandfather owned with his siblings. Its ringing as a scam to me but there has to be some measure of truth to it im assuming since he seemed to have alot of personal information. How can I verify if this is legitimate? Especially if... View More

Ana Maria Del Valle-Aguilera
Ana Maria Del Valle-Aguilera
answered on Jul 16, 2020

You do not say for how long your aunt has been deceased. Even though it is probably a scam, you can search abandoned property records in Texas or any other state where she might have had any personal property. States have laws that require what they consider "abandoned" or... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas for Texas on
Q: The beginning of May 2020 Van Tx hired a contractor to do was work in our backyard and they had hit a oil pipeline.

and a salt water line and it got in my garden and they are not making that right with me. Than last Friday 05/29/2020 Crossfire pipeline contractor came out to spread dirty and my back yard and they damaged our hard top that goes to our 1994 jeep wragner and they said they are not at fault I have... View More

Aimee Hess
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Aimee Hess
answered on Jun 8, 2020

One important thing is to document the damages with photos, which it sounds like you are doing. Next, get written estimates for repairs. Finally, send the city a certified letter with copies of the photos and repair estimates and request reimbursement. You should copy the city council person who... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Energy, Oil and Gas and Probate for Texas on
Q: Who do I locate my grandma's trust docs? Ive talked to one company who confirmed there's a trust, but who do I speak to?

I located an asset being held in suspense, protected by a trust but I'm unsure of who I need to talk to or contact to get the actual documents. What dept handle/holds trust documents??

Terry Lynn Garrett
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Terry Lynn Garrett
answered on Apr 21, 2020

The trustee holds the documents. The bank may not be the trustee.

1 Answer | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas for Texas on
Q: Im wanting to put a gas powered pedal assist on a bycicle to help me get around is it illegal even tho im still pedaling
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 13, 2020

There is no uniform nationwide policy on this. Your post remains open for a month and it's possible that people working in the department of motor vehicles, public safety, department of transportation, or law enforcement (traffic/highway) could be closer to this issue than most lawyers would... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas for Texas on
Q: Executor failed to include mineral rights in probate on Oklahoma county. I have copies showing he retained the mineral

Do I need to transfer to my name or us a copy of the land deed showing the retained mineral rights ok

Aimee Hess
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Aimee Hess
answered on Jan 10, 2020

I am only licensed in Texas, but I suspect Oklahoma law may be similar to Texas law in this situation. If the executor of an estate has not included the mineral rights in a deed from the estate to the beneficiaries, and this violates the terms of the will, you need to seek legal assistance... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Constitutional Law and Energy, Oil and Gas for Texas on
Q: How do you battle a electric utility company and what type lawyer do I need?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Dec 12, 2019

It depends what you're battling them about. Oil spill from one of their fuel barges, you need an environmental lawyer. Right-of-way or easement with one of their power lines, you need a land use or real estate lawyer. Electric bill issue, you need a consumer or business lawyer. Depending on... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas for Texas on
Q: Is it legal for an oil company to take your entire revenue check (which is our sole income) with no warning?

Two years ago we, as royalty owners with Pioneer Natural Resources, sold a percent of our mineral interest in Upton County to OneMap Mineral Services LLC. All Division Orders were signed by all parties and money exchanged hands. But apparently Pioneer dropped the ball and mishandled some of the... View More

Aimee Hess
PREMIUM
Aimee Hess
answered on Dec 9, 2019

This is certainly an unfortunate situation. Whether or not Pioneer is allowed to withhold all royalty due to you depends on the language of the most recent division order for these royalties that you signed, as well as the terms of the oil and gas lease that you or your predecessor in interest... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Energy, Oil and Gas and Probate for Texas on
Q: My father passed away intestate (no will), he owned his home, am I responsible for paying his utility bills?

Are his children responsible for paying the light, water, and gas bill? We plan to sell the home once cleaned, but no one is living in the home since his passing.

Terry Lynn Garrett
PREMIUM
Terry Lynn Garrett
answered on Oct 11, 2019

After the Court appoints an administrator, giving that person authority over your father's property, that person is responsible for maintaining the estate.

Meanwhile, you and your siblings may want to keep the utilities on in order to maintain the property in good shape. That should...
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2 Answers | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas for Texas on
Q: I am a creditor in an Chapter 11 Bankruptcy case . I inherited land which produces / pumps oil. This land was inherited

My question is. Can the Oil Company get out of paying my family it's Royalties?? There's millions owed to us. We are unsecured creditors. How can we become a ""Priority" in this case? Help... Court has been through a 3x's Arbitration(?) Final Hearing is set for Sept... View More

Aimee Hess
PREMIUM
Aimee Hess
answered on Aug 23, 2019

In most cases, an oil company in bankruptcy must pay current royalties to its mineral owners with whom it has active oil and gas leases. Past royalties are often treated as claims against the bankruptcy estate. Whether the claim is secured or unsecured, or priority or nonpriority, depends on the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas for Texas on
Q: What if i was charged for oil changed at dealership and vehicle was not serciced as paid for?

Oil filter and tire rotation 29.99 tires not rotated motor shakes when didnt not do

Before on top of that they advised me they changed hoses when they didnt need to i just had brand new motor put in hoses where brand new they changed without consent

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 4, 2019

A place to start here could be to contact a Texas attorney who deals with consumer issues/small contract disputes. The Energy, Oil and Gas section is more about large matters involving drilling rights, mineral rights, etc. Good luck

Tim Akpinar

1 Answer | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas for Texas on
Q: I own mineral rights in West Texas we least are mineral rights to oxy oil 2017 we still have not received any royalties

They started production in 2017

Aimee Hess
PREMIUM
Aimee Hess
answered on Jan 24, 2019

First, you will need to be sure that the production is actually production from your mineral interests. Your lease may have been limited to certain depths and so the fact that there is a well in your area or even on your land that is producing is not necessarily determinative. Secondly, if your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Energy, Oil and Gas for Texas on
Q: A oil company has broken the contract that we all signed. how can i get them to hold up to the agreement?
Aimee Hess
PREMIUM
Aimee Hess
answered on Jan 2, 2019

If an oil company has violated its agreement with you, it is possible that you can get a court order requiring them to fulfill their obligations under the contract. They may also be liable to you for damages. You will first need to have an oil and gas attorney review the contract and the facts that... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury and Energy, Oil and Gas for Texas on
Q: I was involved in truck wreck on Halloween evening 2018.

I was involved in truck wreck on Halloween evening 2018. I was driving my friends company vehicle when another driver failed to yield to right of way and stop sign and pulled out infront of us. I am an Independent contractor for a firm here in Odessa and have not been able to go back to work. I do... View More

Rahlita D. Thornton
PREMIUM
Rahlita D. Thornton
answered on Dec 6, 2018

You need to get right on it and begin investigation on the details of this accident. But, your delay in seeking medical treatment may devalue your case. We do handle these cases and can get you to a doctor asap. It does not matter that you do not have health insurance if the other responsible... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas for Texas on
Q: Hi i get 1 million dollars,1 million to oil company.my lawyer say i back the money from oil comp.never get.
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 17, 2018

It isn't fully clear what the question is here.

Tim Akpinar

1 Answer | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas and Environmental for Texas on
Q: I am pretty sure a nearby company is polluting my well water. What are my next steps?
Aimee Hess
PREMIUM
Aimee Hess
answered on Oct 15, 2018

This is not something you can do on your own. You will need to contact an attorney who specializes in these kinds of claims. They will retain engineering experts to investigate the causal connection between the nearby company and your water well. The experts will test your water and attempt to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas for Texas on
Q: Would it be acceptable for us to record a "Memorandum of Option To Exercise Oil, Gas, & Mineral Lease?" Thanks!

We thought it would be best to get it on record, but wish to keep the terms confidential. What do you think?

Aimee Hess
PREMIUM
Aimee Hess
answered on Aug 9, 2018

Filing a memorandum in the county deed records is certainly used to give notice of an agreement without disclosing the precise terms. However, before you do that, have an oil and gas attorney review the option itself, as well as take a look a Texas court decisions, to make sure you are not going to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas for Texas on
Q: Is it necessary to sign a W-9 form in order to transfer royalty from my deceased grand father's account?
Aimee Hess
PREMIUM
Aimee Hess
answered on Aug 8, 2018

Yes, the oil company is required to get a W-9 so they know how to report royalties to the IRS and also to you at the end of the year on a 1099.

1 Answer | Asked in Energy, Oil and Gas for Texas on
Q: Are there any guidelines for recording an "Option To Exercise Oil, Gas, and Mineral Lease" in the state of Texas?
Aimee Hess
PREMIUM
Aimee Hess
answered on Aug 7, 2018

Texas county clerks required original , notarized signatures on the document and payment of the correct filing fee to file any document in the county deed records.

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