Harris County, TX Consumer Law

Free Tools and Information for Harris County, TX Consumers

Texas Inheritance Law & Probate Procedure

• Texas PROBATE COURT FINDER:
  
  • Probate Court for Harris County: Key information about your local probate court (Superior Court in Texas) for Harris County.
• How Probate Works in Texas: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at Harris County's probate court.
  • Here are links to:
    • Texas Probate Forms and the
    • Texas State Probate Court Website.
• Small Estates Procedures in Texas: Learn how to use Texas's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.

  • In Washington, you can use an Affidavit if the value of assets subject to probate, less liens and encumbrances, is $100,000 or less. This figure doesn't count surviving spouse's property or partner's community property interest.  40-day waiting period.

    Wash. Rev. Code 11.62.010 and following.

    The court may grant a request for settlement without court intervention if the estate is solvent and:

    • if there's a Will, the personal representative makes a request
    • if there's no Will, the surviving spouse or domestic partner makes the request, and the estate consists entirely of community property, and the decedent let no children or grandchildren from another relationship, or
    • the personal representative is not a creditor of the decedent and the court determines it would be in the best interest of the beneficiaries and creditors.

    Wash. Rev. Code 11.68.011 and following.

• Texas Estate Taxes:

  • The state of Washington imposes an estate tax on property owned in Washington. If you are inheriting property from the state of Washington, it may be subject to estate tax if the overall value of the estate is more than $2,193,000.

• Avoiding Probate in Texas. Find out what property bypasses probate death and goes directly to beneficiaries. such as:
  • Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs)

---

Texas Wage & Hour Law

• Texas Minimum Wage:  

  • The minimum wage in Washington is $16.28 an hour. Because this is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in The Evergreen State must be paid at least $16.28 an hour. A couple of local governments in Washington have passed ordinances establishing a higher minimum wage.

    Harris County Minimum Wage

    The minimum wage in Harris County is $16.28 an hour, the state minimum wage. Texas law prohibits city and county governments from adopting a local minimum wage that's higher than the state minimum wage.  

    Houston Minimum Wage

    The minimum wage in Houston, Texas, is $16.28 an hour, the state minimum wage. Texas law prohibits city and county governments from adopting a local minimum wage that's higher than the state minimum wage.

• Overtime Pay: Every state has rules about weekly maximum hours and overtime. Learn about the overtime laws in Texas and whether they apply to you.
• Wage Claims: If you're being unlawfully underpaid, you need to learn how to file a "Wage Claim" in Texas. 
• Tips : Every state has special pay rates for tipped workers. Find out the rules for tipped workers in Texas.

  • The tipped minimum wage in Washington is the same as the regular minimum wage: $16.28 an hour. Tips don't count against an employer's obligation to pay the minimum wage. 

---

Bankruptcy & Debt

• MEANS TEST CALCULATOR
  • for Harris County, Texas (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for April 1, 2024)
• Texas BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTION FINDER: Search detailed listings of bankruptcy exemptions under Texas law and Federal law, for use in filing out Schedule C, when you file for bankruptcy. 
  • Federal Exemptions available in Texas?:  

    • Yes. Federal exemptions are available.

  • Texas Homestead Exemption

    • Real property, manufactured home, or mobile home to the greater of  (a) $125,000; (b) The county median sale price of a single-family home in the preceding calendar year (the statewide average for 2020 was $452,400); $172,900 to $729,600, depending on county.

  • Texas Vehicle Exemption

    • Motor vehicles to $15,000 total

• Texas BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.
• FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
  We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.

---

Texas Unemployment Benefits

• Benefit Amounts in Texas: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
  • Minimum: 
    • $323 per week or your estimated weekly wage, whichever is less
  • Maximum: 
    • $1,019 per week
  • Duration: 

    • In Texas, you can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks under state law. 

• Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
• How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in Texas.
  • Washington Employment Security Department 
    • 800-318-6022
• Unemployment Office Near Me? How to find your local unemployment office.
• COVID-19 Benefits: We tracked the rise and fall of COVID-19 unemployment benefit payments.

---

Democracy In Texas, Harris County, Houston 

• Elected Representatives: Find out the websites and phone numbers of those representing you at the Federal, State, County, and City levels of government.
• How to Vote: Learn how to register and where and when to vote in Harris County, TX.
• Gerrymandering in Texas: Has your state been gerrymandered? Find out how to end gerrymandering and have voters pick politicians, not vice versa.
• Tracking Issues: Organizations that track legislation you care about 

---

Find a Lawyer in Harris County, TX

• Our Lawyers by Zipcode section allows users to find a local lawyer using the best online resources, including on topics we don't cover.
• DUI, Criminal Defense
• Auto Accidents & Personal Injury
• Immigration

---