What a Travis County DWI Actually Costs From Arrest to Resolution
The Real Tab, Line by Line: From the APD Tow Lot to Your Insurance Renewal
By Sarah Okonkwo ·
Section
Legal & Finance
Local legal & finance news and services in Austin, TX.
Latest in Legal & Finance
What Austin Landlords Can Actually Deduct From Your Security Deposit and What Texas Law Forbids
Lease expirations are stacking up this fall. Here's what "normal wear and tear" means in practice, what the 30-day deadline actually triggers, and what to do when your landlord gets it wrong.
By Sarah Okonkwo ·
What Austin Freelancers and Gig Workers Actually Owe in Quarterly Taxes
The Q3 estimated tax deadline is September 15. Texas's no-income-tax status does not reduce your federal self-employment bill — and the math may surprise you.
By Sarah Okonkwo ·
What a Travis County Divorce Actually Costs When There Are Kids and Property
Somewhere between $4,000 and $150,000 — here's the local breakdown, plus what the national sites never bother to get right about Travis County courts
By Sarah Okonkwo ·
What Travis County Appraisal Protests Actually Yielded This Year and Whether Hiring a Firm Helped
The results letters are arriving. After a summer of informal negotiations and ARB hearings that stretched into August, Travis County homeowners are opening envelopes to find out whether the 2025–20…
By Sarah Okonkwo ·
We Called Austin's Free Legal Aid Organizations to Find Out Who Is Actually Taking Cases Right Now
September's contractor disputes, August lease fallout, and incoming property tax bills mean low-income Austinites need legal help fast. Here's what we found when we picked up the phone.
By Sarah Okonkwo ·
What the September 1 Texas Law Changes Actually Mean for Austin Workers and Small Businesses
Bills passed in the 89th Texas Legislature take effect September 1, 2026. Most Austin employers, landlords, and LLC owners haven't touched their documents yet. Here's the plain-language breakdown o…
By Sarah Okonkwo ·
How to File in Travis County Justice Court for Disputes Up to $20,000
Texas raised the small claims ceiling to $20,000. Most guides still say $10,000. Here's a current, precinct-specific walkthrough for Austin homeowners facing incomplete pool, HVAC, roofing, and fou…
By Sarah Okonkwo ·
What Travis County Probate Actually Costs and When You Can Skip It Entirely
The ARB notice on your kitchen counter tells you what the house is worth. Here's what happens to it when someone dies: the actual process, the real fees, and the shortcuts that work in Travis County.
By Sarah Okonkwo ·
How to Fight a Mechanic's Lien on Your Austin Home After a Contractor Dispute
You paid your contractor. Now there's a lien on your house. Here's what Austin homeowners need to know — and do — right now.
By Sarah Okonkwo ·
What Texas Law Actually Says About PTO Payout When You Quit or Get Fired
Texas has no statute requiring employers to pay out unused vacation. But your employee handbook might create a binding obligation. Here's exactly what language matters, how to file a TWC wage claim…
By Sarah Okonkwo ·
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