Rawls Legal, PLLC

10/14/2026

⚖️ 5 Things I Wish I’d Known About Divorce in Texas

Divorce can be overwhelming, especially when you don’t know what to expect. Here are five things everyone should understand before going through a divorce in Texas.

1️⃣ You don’t have to prove someone did something wrong.

Texas allows no-fault divorce. You don’t have to prove adultery, abuse, or wrongdoing to end your marriage.

2️⃣ Everything isn’t automatically split 50/50.

Texas is a community property state, but that doesn’t necessarily mean everything gets divided equally. Courts divide community property in a manner that is “just and right,” which may not be an even split.

3️⃣ You don’t automatically lose your retirement.

Retirement accounts and pensions can be divided in a divorce, but generally, only the community property portion is subject to division. What you earned before marriage may remain your separate property.

4️⃣ Moving out doesn’t mean giving up your house.

Leaving the marital home doesn’t automatically mean you lose your ownership interest. However, decisions about who stays in the home can affect temporary orders and other issues during the divorce.

5️⃣ An uncontested divorce still requires doing things correctly.

Even when both spouses agree on everything, the divorce decree needs to properly address property, debts, and, when applicable, children. Mistakes can create expensive problems down the road.

💡 The Bottom Line:

Divorce is more than signing paperwork. The decisions you make today can affect your finances, property, and family for years to come.

At Rawls Legal, PLLC, we help Texans understand their rights and navigate the divorce process with confidence.

📍 Located in Crane, Texas

⚖️ Proudly serving all of the Permian Basin.

📞 Contact Rawls Legal, PLLC to schedule a consultation.

Disclaimer: This post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every divorce is different, and outcomes depend on the specific circumstances of each case.

10/12/2026

🏠 LANDLORD-TENANT DISPUTES IN TEXAS: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! ⚖️

Whether you’re a landlord dealing with a tenant who won’t pay rent or a tenant facing eviction, understanding your legal rights is important.

📌 NOTICE TO VACATE
In Texas, landlords generally must provide tenants with a written notice to vacate before filing an eviction lawsuit. In many cases, the required notice period is 3 days, although lease agreements and certain circumstances may change that requirement.

📌 EVICTION PROCEEDINGS
A landlord cannot simply change the locks, remove a tenant’s belongings, or shut off utilities to force a tenant out. Evictions must follow the legal process, which generally involves filing a case in Justice Court and obtaining a court order.

📌 UNPAID RENT & LEASE VIOLATIONS
Failure to pay rent, violating lease terms, and remaining on the property after a lease expires can all create grounds for eviction. However, proper procedures must be followed.

📌 TENANTS HAVE RIGHTS, TOO!
Tenants may have legal defenses to eviction, including improper notice, retaliation, or a landlord’s failure to comply with applicable laws.

⚖️ RAWLS LEGAL, PLLC CAN HELP!

Whether you’re a landlord seeking to recover possession of your property or a tenant trying to protect your rights, having an attorney who understands Texas landlord-tenant law can make a difference.

📍 Rawls Legal, PLLC
Austin Ryan Rawls
Crane, Texas

Proudly Serving All of the Permian Basin!

📞 Contact our office today to discuss your landlord-tenant legal needs.

Disclaimer: This post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every situation is different, and consultation with an attorney is recommended.

10/08/2026

🏢 Starting a Business in Texas? Protect What You’re Building!

Starting a business is exciting, but have you considered how to protect yourself and your personal assets?

Whether you’re starting a construction company, opening a retail store, providing professional services, or turning a side business into a full-time career, forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) may be one of the most important steps you take.

⚖️ Why Form an LLC in Texas?

✅ Protect Your Personal Assets – An LLC generally separates your personal assets from your business’s debts and liabilities. This can help protect your home, personal savings, and other property from certain business-related claims.

✅ Establish a Professional Business Identity – Operating as an LLC can help establish credibility with customers, vendors, and potential business partners.

✅ Flexible Management – Texas LLCs offer flexibility in how your business is owned, managed, and operated.

✅ Potential Tax Advantages – LLCs offer flexibility in federal tax classification, depending on your business structure and circumstances.

✅ Plan for the Future – A properly drafted company agreement can establish ownership rights, management responsibilities, and procedures for handling disagreements or changes in ownership.

📝 Is Filing With the Secretary of State Enough?

Forming an LLC involves more than simply submitting paperwork.

A properly structured LLC may also need:

• A company agreement (often called an operating agreement)

• Appropriate ownership and management provisions

• A registered agent

• Necessary tax registrations and business licenses

• Proper separation of personal and business finances

Simply forming an LLC does not automatically protect you from every type of personal liability. How you operate your business matters!

💼 Your Business Deserves a Strong Legal Foundation.

At Rawls Legal, PLLC, we help Texas business owners navigate the legal process of forming an LLC and establishing their businesses on solid ground.

Whether you’re starting your first business or formalizing an existing operation, we’re here to help.

📞 Contact Rawls Legal, PLLC today to discuss forming your Texas LLC!

📍 Located in Crane, Texas

Proudly Serving All of the Permian Basin.



⚖️ This post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every business and legal situation is unique. Reading or interacting with this post does not create an attorney-client relationship with Rawls Legal, PLLC. Consult with a licensed attorney regarding your specific circumstances.

10/05/2026

📜 DO YOU HAVE AN ESTATE PLAN?

Estate planning isn’t just about what happens to your property after you pass away. A basic estate plan can also help make sure the right people can make financial and medical decisions for you if you’re unable to do so yourself.

A basic Texas estate plan may include:

✅ Last Will and Testament
✅ Durable Power of Attorney
✅ Medical Power of Attorney
✅ Directive to Physicians (Living Will)

Having these documents in place can provide clear instructions for your family and help avoid unnecessary uncertainty during difficult times.

Basic Estate Planning Packages:
👤 Individual — $500
💍 Married Couple — $950

If you’ve been putting off getting a will or updating your estate plan, now is a good time to get it taken care of.

Rawls Legal, PLLC
Austin Ryan Rawls
📞 (432) 272-8959
📍 Crane, Texas

Proudly serving all of the Permian Basin.

This post is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.

10/02/2026

🔨 UNPAID FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK IN TEXAS? A MECHANIC’S LIEN MAY HELP.

Texas law provides important protections for contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers who provide labor or materials to improve real property but aren’t paid.

Here are a few things to know about Texas mechanic’s liens:

🏠 What is a mechanic’s lien?
A mechanic’s lien is a legal mechanism that may allow someone who provided qualifying labor or materials to assert a claim involving the improved property.

👷 Who may have lien rights?
Depending on the circumstances, lien rights may be available to:
• General contractors
• Subcontractors
• Certain suppliers and material providers
• Certain design professionals and other construction-related claimants

📅 Deadlines matter.
Texas mechanic’s lien law contains strict deadlines for notices and filing lien affidavits. The applicable deadline can depend on whether the claimant is the original contractor or a subcontractor and whether the project is residential or non-residential.

📨 Subcontractors may have additional notice requirements.
Simply performing the work and being owed money does not necessarily mean lien rights have been perfected. Required notices must be sent correctly and on time.

🏡 Homesteads have special rules.
Texas imposes additional requirements for mechanic’s liens involving homestead property, including specific contractual and notice requirements.

⚠️ Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Mechanic’s lien deadlines can begin running well before a payment dispute is resolved. If you are a contractor or subcontractor who hasn’t been paid, getting legal advice early can be important.

Likewise, if a mechanic’s lien or notice of an unpaid claim has been asserted against your property, you may have defenses and should determine whether the claimant complied with Texas law.

Rawls Legal, PLLC
Austin Ryan Rawls
📞 (432) 272-8959
📍 Crane, Texas
Proudly serving all of the Permian Basin

This post is for general informational purposes and is not legal advice.

09/28/2026

⚖️ Considering Divorce in Texas? Here Are a Few Things You Should Know

Divorce can involve much more than simply ending a marriage. Understanding some of the basics before you begin can help you know what to expect.

Here are 7 things to know about divorce in Texas:

1️⃣ Texas has a 60-day waiting period.
In most cases, a court cannot finalize a divorce until at least 60 days after the divorce petition is filed. Some exceptions apply.

2️⃣ Texas is a community-property state.
Generally, property acquired during the marriage is presumed to be community property. Property owned before marriage, as well as certain gifts and inheritances, may be separate property.

3️⃣ A divorce does NOT automatically mean everything is divided 50/50.
Texas courts divide the community estate in a manner the court considers “just and right.” Depending on the circumstances, that does not necessarily mean an equal division.

4️⃣ Debt matters too.
Divorce isn’t only about dividing assets. Mortgages, vehicle loans, credit cards, tax obligations, and other debts may also need to be addressed.

5️⃣ Children can make a divorce more complicated.
When parents have minor children, the divorce also addresses conservatorship (custody), possession and access, child support, medical support, and important parental rights and duties.

6️⃣ You don’t necessarily have to fight everything out in court. Many divorces are resolved through agreements between the parties or mediation. When an agreement cannot be reached, the disputed issues can be decided by the court.

7️⃣ What you do before and during the divorce can matter. Moving money, selling property, taking on significant debt, deleting communications, or making major decisions involving the children can create issues later. Getting legal advice early can help you understand your rights and obligations before making major decisions.

Every divorce is different. The right approach depends on the property, debts, children, and circumstances involved.

⚖️ Rawls Legal, PLLC
Austin Ryan Rawls
📞 (432) 272-8959
📍 Proudly serving the Permian Basin

This post is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading or responding to this post does not create an attorney-client relationship.

09/21/2026

12/05/2024

HOLIDAY SPECIAL - Basic Estate Planning Package

Gift Certificates Available

$500.00 for Couples
$350.00 for Individuals

Includes:

Basic Will
Power of Attorney
Medical Power of Attorney
Advance Directive

432-272-8959

Valid through 12/31/2024

(Trust Formation excluded)

08/01/2023

Parents subject to possession orders ought to take a close look at their court orders as we start a 4-Day School Schedule next week.

If you’re not sure what no school on Friday means for you and your children, call Rawls Legal, PLLC today to schedule a consult or teleconference to discuss your options.

(432) 272-8959

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06/23/2023

AFFORDABLE FAMILY LAWYER
(432) 272-8959
Flat Fee Pricing Available

HABLAMOS ESPAÑOL

Divorce
Custody & Visitation
Child Support
Adoption

NOW SERVING ECTOR COUNTY

RAWLS LEGAL, PLLC
TRUSTED BY WEST TEXANS SINCE 2016

Principal Office:
520 S. Gaston, Ste. B, Crane, TX 79731

The Official Rawls Legal, PLLC page. Check here for announcements, specials and news! Based