Dividing a House in a Texas Divorce
What Happens to the House in a Texas Divorce In a divorce the house is usually the largest asset and the one with the most strings attached. Texas is a community property state, which shapes the whole question in ways that surprise people who have moved here from elsewhere. The first distinction is between community property and separate property. Broadly, what either spouse acquired during the marriage is community property. What one spouse owned before the marriage, or
Read Entry
Read more about Dividing a House in a Texas DivorceWhen You and Your Siblings Inherit a House in Texas
When You and Your Siblings Inherit a House in Texas Inheriting a house with brothers and sisters turns a property question into a family one. The legal side is usually more straightforward than people expect. The hard part is that every heir has to agree, and nothing moves until they do. Start by establishing who actually owns the property. If there was a will and it went through probate, the executor's authority is on record and the chain of title is clean. If there was
Read Entry
Read more about When You and Your Siblings Inherit a House in TexasInheriting a Texas House With Your Siblings
Selling an Inherited Texas House When There Is More Than One Heir Inheriting a house with brothers and sisters turns a property question into a family one. The legal side is usually more straightforward than people expect. The hard part is that every heir has to agree, and nothing moves until they do. Start by establishing who actually owns the property. If there was a will and it went through probate, the executor's authority is on record and the chain of title is
Read Entry
Read more about Inheriting a Texas House With Your SiblingsSelling a Texas House With Delinquent Property Taxes
What Happens When Texas Property Taxes Go Unpaid Texas has no state income tax and funds local government substantially through property tax, which makes the property tax lien unusually powerful here. If you are behind, the position is serious, but it is also more workable than most people assume. The lien attaches automatically on January 1 each year for that year's taxes. It is not something the county has to file to create. Taxes are generally due by January 31, and a
Read Entry
Read more about Selling a Texas House With Delinquent Property TaxesSelling a Texas House That Is Full of Belongings
Selling a Texas House That Is Full of Belongings A house packed with a lifetime of belongings is a common situation and rarely the one people plan for. It usually arrives with a death in the family, a move to assisted living, or a long decline nobody wanted to confront. The first thing worth saying is that the contents do not have to be resolved before you decide what to do with the property. Sellers routinely delay for months, paying taxes, insurance and utilities
Read Entry
Read more about Selling a Texas House That Is Full of BelongingsSelling a Tenant-Occupied House in Texas
Can You Sell a Rental in Texas With a Tenant in Place You can sell a house in Texas with a tenant living in it. What you cannot do is sell it as though the tenant is not there. The lease is an obligation that travels with the property, and understanding that early saves a great deal of friction. A lease survives the sale. When the property changes hands the new owner steps into the landlord's position and takes the lease as written, for whatever term remains. A buyer who
Read Entry
Read more about Selling a Tenant-Occupied House in TexasFire or Storm Damage and Selling a House in Texas
Selling a Texas House With an Open Insurance Claim Hail, wind and fire claims are routine in Texas, and an open claim complicates a sale in ways that are manageable if you understand who is owed what. The central question is who receives the claim proceeds. If there is a mortgage, the lender is typically named on the policy and the check is usually issued jointly. Lenders commonly hold the funds and release them in stages as repairs are completed and inspected.
Read Entry
Read more about Fire or Storm Damage and Selling a House in TexasWhen You and Your Siblings Inherit a House in Texas
Selling an Inherited Texas House When There Is More Than One Heir Inheriting a house with brothers and sisters turns a property question into a family one. The legal side is usually more straightforward than people expect. The hard part is that every heir has to agree, and nothing moves until they do. Start by establishing who actually owns the property. If there was a will and it went through probate, the executor's authority is on record and the chain of title is clean
Read Entry
Read more about When You and Your Siblings Inherit a House in Texas