Property Law for Texas Owners

Texas does not require an attorney at residential real estate closings; title companies handle most closings. That said, the TREC contract is a binding legal document, and the closing documents (deed, deed of trust, promissory note) have lasting legal consequences. An attorney can review documents before signing, especially when the transaction involves anything non-standard — owner financing, easements, deed restrictions, or unusual contract terms.

Title insurance protects against defects in title that existed at the time of closing but were not discovered. Owner's title insurance is optional in Texas but generally recommended; lender's title insurance is typically required by the lender. The title commitment issued before closing identifies known title issues that the policy will and won't cover.

Title problems range from easily fixed (an unreleased lien from a paid-off mortgage) to complex (a missing heir from a chain of title). Curative title work involves identifying the defect, gathering the necessary documents or court orders, and recording corrective instruments to clear the title.

Texas property owners can protest their appraised value with the Travis Central Appraisal District. There are statutory deadlines, and the protest process has specific procedural steps. We assist owners through the protest and, when needed, the Appraisal Review Board hearing process.

Lake Travis is an LCRA reservoir, which means the LCRA has jurisdiction over much of the shoreline area, dock construction, and certain land uses adjacent to the lake. Lake levels fluctuate substantially with rainfall and drought conditions, which affects “waterfront” status in dry periods. Title to land along the shoreline often has unusual easement, riparian, and reservation provisions worth understanding before purchase.