Written by Attorney Full Name
Legal guides
I wrote these guides to help you understand how the process works when you receive legal papers or find yourself in a dispute. Each guide lists its legal sources and the date it was last reviewed.
Start hereUnderstanding the legal process and your first stepsWhat to do when legal papers arrive: how lawsuits, citations, demand letters, and deadlines fit together, and which guide matches your problem.Read the guide- 01Agreed and contested divorce in TexasHow an agreed divorce differs from a contested one in Texas: residency rules, the 60-day waiting period, the decree, custody, and property division.
- 02Consumer complaints in Texas, where to file and whenOptions for a consumer dispute in Texas: complaints to the Attorney General and FTC, chargebacks, small claims in justice court up to $20,000, and DTPA notice.
- 03Do I need a lawyer, or can I handle my case myselfWhen representing yourself in court is reasonable, when it gets risky, and what to watch for if the other side has a lawyer. General information for Texas.
- 04How a lawsuit starts, court costs, and the main stagesHow a civil lawsuit is filed in Texas: the petition, filing and service costs, which court hears the case, the answer deadline, and the stages that follow.
- 05How civil appeals work in Texas and the deadlinesWhat an appeal is, which Texas court hears it, the 30-day notice of appeal deadline, and when a case can go on to the Supreme Court of Texas.
- 06How mediation works, step by stepWhat a mediator does, when Texas courts send cases to mediation, what happens in the session, who pays, and how a signed settlement binds you.
- 07Landlord-tenant disputes in Texas, deposits and evictionsSecurity deposit refunds, notice to vacate, evictions in justice court, repairs and lockouts under the Texas Property Code, explained for tenants and landlords.
- 08Legal aid and what to do when you cannot afford court costsHow civil legal aid, court fee waivers, and appointed criminal defense counsel work in Texas, where to apply, and what to bring. General information.
- 09Traffic tickets in Texas, your options and deadlinesHow to respond to a Texas traffic citation: pleas, deferred disposition, driving safety courses, trial in municipal or justice court, and the appearance date.
- 10Unpaid wages, final paychecks, and overtime in TexasWhen a Texas employer must pay your final paycheck, how federal overtime works, what the TWC wage claim deadline is, and which claims can be filed in court.
- 11What a demand letter is and when you really need oneWhat a demand letter is, when Texas law requires written notice before suing, how to send one so it can be proven, and when it is not worth the effort.
- 12What happens if you miss a statute of limitationsHow statutes of limitations and hard legal deadlines work in Texas, when the clock starts, and what may still be possible if a deadline has passed.
- 13What to do if you are sued for a debtServed with a debt collection lawsuit in Texas? How the answer deadline works, why ignoring it leads to default, and which defenses and options to discuss.
- 14Wrongful termination in Texas, deadlines and optionsHow at-will employment works in Texas, which firings may be unlawful, and the EEOC and Texas Workforce Commission charge deadlines you should know about.
This content is general information, not legal advice. Deadlines and rules change and vary by state; your situation needs to be reviewed with your documents.