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Texas Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
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

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 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.
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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 Legal Malpractice and Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: clouded title preventing the sale of inherited property. the other party filed ppwk with the wrong legal discription

The lawyer who probated the will is wanting a signature for a settlement to the other party. The paper he wants signed has no information for what the settlement is. The will was signed by 2 judges and gives sole inheritance of the property to defendent and plantiff is not in the will. The... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 20, 2024

In your situation, if there's a clouded title due to incorrect paperwork and disputes over inheritance, it's crucial to approach this methodically. First, do not sign any documents that you do not fully understand, especially if they lack clear details regarding the settlement. It's... View More

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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.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 30, 2024

The UTMA, or Uniform Transfers to Minors Act, facilitates the transfer of assets, including real estate, to minors without the need for a formal trust. Generally, this law allows minors to receive gifts or transfers of property through a custodian until they reach the age of majority, which varies... View More

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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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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Gov & Administrative Law, Municipal Law and Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: If electric power lines ask me to get estimate to move my resident in order to expand their right of way, who chooses?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 11, 2024

A Texas attorney could answer best, but your question remains open for two weeks. Sometimes a court decides, depending on nature of the matter and the respective positions of the parties. Large electric utilities usually have land use attorneys in their environmental affairs divisions. You could... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Divorce and Family Law for Texas on
Q: A wife was awarded the prop after the divorce from her husband. She never changed deed. She did a ToDD. What happens to

At this point? Does the individual who inherited the TODD inherit only 50% or the full 100%?

Teri A. Walter
Teri A. Walter
answered on Mar 15, 2024

The person who acquired the property from your wife by a transfer on death deed now owns whatever part of the property your wife owned, subject to any liens that may exist (such as mortgages or unpaid taxes). If your wife got 100% of the property in the divorce, and didn't transfer any of it... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Divorce and Family Law for Texas on
Q: A wife was awarded the prop after the divorce from her husband. She never changed deed. She did a ToDD. What happens to

At this point? Does the individual who inherited the TODD inherit only 50% or the full 100%?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 11, 2024

If a wife was awarded 100% of the property upon divorce, her 100% interest passed to the grantee named in the ToDD upon her death.

While it would have been better for there to have been a special warranty deed from the husband to the wife at the time of divorce to remove the husband from...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law and Construction Law for Texas on
Q: PLACING A LIEN AGAINST A CONTRACTORS BUSINESS

I hired a contractor to fix my home after a Fire. He installed an HVAC System that the Ins company paid $18,000.00. THE STYSTEM WORKED FOR 3 WEEKS AND NOW THEY HAVE STOPPED ANSWERING MY CALLS. Can I put a lien against HIS Business? If so , whats the name of the LIEN that I need to file. PLease... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 11, 2024

No, there is no lien you can place against a contractor's business in this situation until you have first obtained a judgment in a civil lawsuit against the contractor.

If a new HVAC system was installed in your home, that system likely has a manufacturer's warranty. If the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: Who is responsible for getting paperwork if the person wants to sell their part of the ownership of an empty land?

There are only two people on the Deed

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 6, 2024

What paperwork?

In any sale of real estate, the seller is responsible for certain paperwork, and the buyer is responsible for other paperwork. The sales contract between the buyer and seller likely specifically discusses certain paperwork (e.g. title insurance policy, survey, etc.).

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: Do I have any legal options in a dispute with an RV park real estate deal that seems fraudulent?

Hello,

I have a question regarding the purchase of a plot in an RV resort park. It almost seems like this experience is an outright theft of my investment. Do I have any legal recourse? I would like to get my money back but thats not my primary motivation, rather, I do not want anyone else... View More

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

In order to determine if you have legal recourse, an attorney will need to review the subject documents and discuss with you the particular facts and circumstances concerning your dispute with the RV park. You should contact an attorney with experience in contract disputes involving real estate in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Land Use & Zoning and Municipal Law for Texas on
Q: Im harris county who owns the parkway the city or person ?

I’ve been having trouble with my neighbor she complains about us parking on her left parking spot on the road infront of the side walk . She complained about the car getting on the grass sometimes and we have fixed that issue now she’s complaining and threatening to sue or give us a ticket for... View More

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

Generally speaking a public road and the area immediately beside it is owned by the owner(s) of the adjacent land but it is subject to a public access easement. A survey would be necessary to determine the exact line where the easement ends. As long as you remain in the area subject to the public... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: Real estate Deed on Death question in the state of Texas. My husband found out a few days ago his mother and uncle were

left there fathers house when he passed in 1955. It was a deed on death. My husband's mother was never told this and she passed before the brother did in 1981. One of his sons is trying to sale the house and can't because my mother n law's name is one the deed. She was killed when... View More

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

Assuming the transfer on death deed was properly executed and recorded, in 1955 ownership of the home passed to your mother-in-law and the uncle upon the death of your mother-in-law's father according to the terms of the deed.

When your mother-in-law died in 1981, her interest in the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: Did the new refinance change who gets the equity?

I got divorced a few years ago and in the decree I was awarded the house and equity. After the divorce, my ex refinanced the house with me so that my payment would be lower. He now says he never agreed to give me the equity and that with the new loan agreement, he should get his half of the equity... View More

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

Your question strongly suggests you did not follow the advice of your divorce attorney. If your divorce decree awarded you the residence, there should have been an accompanying special warranty deed from your ex-husband to you deeding the home to you and an accompanying deed of trust to secure... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Texas on
Q: Can I judge refuse to look at evidence for stolen property deeds was told if I wanted my land back should got lawyer.

My mother who is disabled on a fixed income and her siblings had their land stolen by their step sister when she had power of attorney for her father. He revoked power of attorney stating that she had no permission to do any of this he had no idea this happen until he went to pay taxes . He... View More

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

It depends on many facts not stated in your question. A judge usually does not look at any evidence until a trial or evidentiary hearing on a matter. Prior to the trial/hearing, a litigant almost always has a duty to disclose his/her evidence in the discovery process. Evidence not properly... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Real Estate Law, Business Law and Civil Rights for Texas on
Q: If I paid for a package for real estate licensing but got sick with a chronic illness can I get a refund?

I purchased a real estate package course however I got diagnosed with a chronic illness and was not able to attend school. I do have documents some are from my attorneys who are helping me file a disability claim or an SSDI claim. I guess my question would be is it right practice for them to... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 24, 2024

While it ultimately depends on the policies of the institution or company from which you purchased the real estate licensing package, many organizations have provisions for refunds or accommodations in cases of unforeseen circumstances such as illness or disability. Providing documentation of your... View More

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