Houston legal documents, drafted for Texas law

Q: How long does a Texas landlord have to return a security deposit?

30 days after the tenant moves out, once the tenant has given a written forwarding address (Prop. Code §§92.103, 92.107). The landlord can’t deduct for normal wear and tear and must itemize any deductions (§92.104). A landlord who keeps a deposit in bad faith owes $100, three times the amount wrongfully withheld, and reasonable attorney’s fees (§92.109).

Q: How long does a divorce take in Texas?

At least 60 days. A court can’t grant a divorce before the 60th day after filing, except in some family-violence cases (Fam. Code §6.702). To file, one spouse must have lived in Texas for the past six months and in the filing county for the past 90 days (§6.301). Contested cases usually take longer.

Q: What is the small claims limit in Texas?

$20,000, not counting interest. Justice courts hear civil claims up to that amount, and evictions (Gov’t Code §27.031). Larger claims and divorces go to county or district court. Most debt and contract claims must be filed within four years (Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.004).

Q: How much does it cost to form an LLC in Texas?

$300 to file the Certificate of Formation with the Texas Secretary of State. Every LLC must also keep a registered agent in Texas (Bus. Orgs. Code §5.201) and file an annual franchise tax report with the Comptroller (Tax Code §171.202).

Q: When does a Texas employer have to pay final wages?

Within six days if you were fired or laid off, or by the next regular payday if you quit (Labor Code §61.014). If wages go unpaid, you can file a wage claim with the Texas Workforce Commission within 180 days after they were due (§61.051).

Q: How much is child support in Texas?

For most incomes, 20% of the paying parent’s net resources for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four, and at least 40% for five or more (Fam. Code §154.125). Support generally lasts until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later (§154.001).

Q: Does DocDraft replace a Texas attorney?

No. AI document preparation is not a substitute for legal advice. Attorney support depends on your plan, location, and availability. An attorney-client relationship begins through a separate engagement.

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Filing in Harris County

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Child custody & support

Modifying child custody
Modifying child support
Establishing paternity

3 guides · 5 documents

Landlord & tenant

Renting out your property
Renting a new property
Breaking a lease

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Business formation

Forming an LLC
Setting up a business partnership
Registering a trademark

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Business contracts

Setting up a manufacturing relationship
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Small business loans

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Civil disputes

Filing in small claims court
Responding to a lawsuit
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Employment

Hiring a new employee
Firing an employee
Filing a workplace harassment complaint

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Divorce

Getting divorced

1 guide · 3 documents

Texas rules at a glance

Six rules that shape most Texas matters. Know these first, then open the guide or document for your situation; the pins spread them over the map so they are easy to read.