Buying or Selling a Texas Home With Solar Panels: Loans, Leases, UCC Filings and Closing

This article provides general educational information about solar ownership, financing, UCC records, mechanic’s liens and Texas real estate transactions. It is not legal or financial advice. Consult a licensed Texas real estate attorney or title professional for guidance specific to your situation.

1. Introduction: The Solar Panel Surprise

Solar panels can complicate a Texas home sale, but the issue is not always a lien against the house. The result depends on how the system was acquired, who owns the equipment, what financing documents were signed, whether a UCC record or fixture filing exists, and what the buyer’s lender and title company require.

A paid-off, homeowner-owned system is usually the simplest arrangement. A financed system, lease or power purchase agreement may require a payoff, transfer, buyout, amendment, subordination or termination document before closing. Those terms are not interchangeable, so buyers and sellers should examine the actual contract rather than relying on a salesperson’s description of the transaction.

Texas Solar Energy Society estimated approximately 294,818 rooftop installations using a combination of 2021–2023 data, while cautioning that complete statewide data were difficult to obtain. The growing number of installations means solar documentation is becoming a more common part of Texas residential transactions. [1]

2. How Solar Panels Are Financed in Texas

The contract  not merely the presence of panels  determines what must happen during a sale. Five common arrangements are:

1. Homeowner-owned and fully paid. The homeowner owns the equipment and no solar financing remains. There should be no active solar-finance UCC record, but the parties should still check for an unreleased filing, mechanic’s lien, recorded access agreement, permit issue or other obligation.
2. Loan secured by the equipment. The homeowner owns the system, but a lender claims a security interest in the equipment. The lender may have filed a UCC record centrally or a fixture filing in county real property records. Depending on the documents and the buyer’s mortgage requirements, the loan may need to be paid off, assumed if assumption is permitted, subordinated or otherwise resolved.
3. Solar lease. The solar company or another provider owns the equipment, and the homeowner pays for its use. A UCC filing may give notice of the provider's ownership interest. The agreement may permit assumption, prepayment, buyout or removal, but those are different remedies and must be verified in the contract.
4. Power purchase agreement. The provider normally owns the equipment, and the homeowner purchases electricity generated by the system under a contractual rate. Transfer, credit approval, buyout, prepayment and removal rights depend on the PPA. A precautionary UCC filing may identify the provider's ownership of the equipment.
5. Unsecured solar loan. The homeowner owns the equipment, but the loan is not secured by the panels or real property. An equipment-specific UCC record ordinarily should not exist solely because of an unsecured loan. The debt may still affect mortgage underwriting, and the seller remains responsible for it unless the contract and lender permit another arrangement.

Do not assume that "paid off," "prepaid" and "bought out" mean the same thing. Paying off a loan normally ends the debt. Prepaying a lease or PPA may pay future charges without transferring ownership. A buyout transfers ownership only if the agreement provides for it and the required documents are completed.

3. What Solar UCC Filings Mean

“UCC filing” is a broad label. The legal effect depends on what was filed, where it was filed, what collateral it describes and whether the claimant owns the system or financed it.

A county fixture filing may affect the priority of an interest claimed in equipment treated as attached to the real property. A central UCC filing with the Texas Secretary of State may cover the panels as personal property and might not appear in an ordinary county real property search. A solar lessor or PPA provider may also file a precautionary UCC record to notify third parties that the provider  not the homeowner  owns the equipment.

A precautionary filing is not necessarily a debt lien against the land or house. For example, Tesla expressly describes its lease and PPA UCC-1 filings as notice of its ownership of the solar equipment rather than liens against the home. Fannie Mae likewise recognizes that a precautionary UCC filing covering only solar equipment can be an acceptable minor title impediment in qualifying transactions. [5][11]

The title company and mortgage lender must review the actual filing and contract. Depending on the circumstances, they may require a payoff, termination, release, amendment, subordination, temporary release or proof that the filing is limited to equipment and does not impair the mortgage lender's required lien position.

Under Texas Business and Commerce Code Section 9.501, the correct filing office depends on the type of filing and the debtor. Fixture filings are generally made in the office where a mortgage on the related real property would be recorded. Other UCC records may be filed centrally based on the debtor's location. A search based only on the property address or county records is therefore not always sufficient. [3]

Texas Business and Commerce Code Section 9.513 governs termination statements after a secured obligation ends. The action required of the secured party and the applicable timing depend on the type of collateral and the circumstances. A seller should not assume that paying the balance automatically results in the termination of the filing from the public record. [4]

4. Solar Installation and Texas Mechanic’s Liens

A separate issue can arise when a solar installer, subcontractor or supplier claims it was not paid. A claimant does not obtain an enforceable lien merely by asserting that money is owed. Texas Property Code Chapter 53 contains detailed rules governing who may claim a lien, notices, filing deadlines, homestead contracts and enforcement.

For qualifying residential construction claims, a derivative claimant generally must give the required notice by the 15th day of the second month after the month in which labor or materials were provided. A residential lien affidavit generally must be filed by the 15th day of the third month after the applicable completion, termination, abandonment or last-work date described in Section 53.052. Different facts and claimant classifications can affect the calculation. [10]

A suit to foreclose a residential mechanic’s lien generally must be brought by the first anniversary of the last day on which the lien affidavit could have been filed. Section 53.158 permits an extension in specified circumstances, so the actual deadline should be confirmed from the statute and the facts of the claim. [10]

Special rules protect Texas homesteads. Under Section 53.254, the original contract must be in writing and signed before labor or materials are furnished. If the owner is married, both spouses must sign. The contract must also be filed with the county clerk's office. [10]

Even when the homeowner paid the original contractor, a subcontractor or supplier may attempt to assert a claim. Whether the claim is valid, perfected and enforceable depends on compliance with Chapter 53 and any applicable homeowner protections.

Because lien validity and priority are technical legal questions, the title company can identify its underwriting requirements but cannot give either party legal advice. A party disputing a claimed lien should consult a Texas real estate attorney.

5. How Solar Filings and Liens Appear During Title Review

A Texas title company examines the county real property records for instruments affecting the land. If a solar lender or provider recorded a fixture filing in those records, the filing may appear in the title commitment and may generate a Schedule C requirement. The title company and mortgage lender must determine whether the filing claims a security interest, merely gives notice of third-party ownership or otherwise affects the requested title coverage or mortgage priority. [3][6]

A UCC filing made centrally through the Texas Secretary of State is separate from the county real property records. It may not be found through a property-address search and should not be assumed to be part of every routine title examination. UCC searches are generally conducted using the debtor's legal name. Buyers and sellers should ask the title company and lender whether a separate Secretary of State search is appropriate rather than attempting to draw legal conclusions from a self-directed search. [3]

A mechanic’s lien affidavit recorded in the county real property records should ordinarily be found during the title examination. The title company may require a release, payoff, bond or other underwriting-approved resolution. If the matter is not resolved, it may become an exception in Schedule B of the final policy, or the title company may be unable to issue the requested coverage. [6][10]

The current TREC Seller's Disclosure Notice, Form 55-1, primarily concerns the property's physical condition. It is not a substitute for reviewing solar ownership, financing documents or UCC records. Sellers should separately identify the solar arrangement and promptly provide the relevant contracts, transfer documents and recorded instruments. [7]

For a leased solar system, the TREC Addendum Regarding Fixture Leases, Form 52-1, allows the parties to address assumption or removal of the leased fixtures. When the applicable option is selected, the form also requires delivery of the lease and gives the buyer a specified termination right after receipt. The form should not be treated as a universal solution for financed homeowner-owned panels or every PPA; the transaction documents must match the actual arrangement. [8][9]

Under the Texas Form T-7 commitment, Schedule B identifies exceptions from coverage, while Schedule C identifies requirements that must be satisfied. If a Schedule C matter is not resolved to the title company's satisfaction, it may appear as an exception in Schedule B of the final policy, or the company may be unable to issue the requested coverage. [6]

6. How a Solar Issue Can Delay Closing

The problem should be identified before the parties reach the closing table. During title examination and underwriting, the title company or lender may discover a county fixture filing, another recorded instrument or a contractual ownership issue. A separate Secretary of State UCC search may also be needed if the documents suggest an equipment security interest.

The correct response depends on the documents. Possible resolutions include:

• Paying off a secured loan and obtaining evidence sufficient for termination or release.
• Transferring a lease or PPA if the contract permits transfer and the buyer and provider approve it.
• Exercising a contractual buyout option and documenting the change in ownership.
• Obtaining a subordination, amendment, temporary release or other document acceptable to the mortgage lender and title underwriter.
• Removing the equipment if the contract permits or requires removal.
• Extending the closing date while documentation is completed.
• Terminating the purchase contract only if the contract gives the affected party that right.

An assumption does not automatically cause the existing UCC filing to be terminated and a new one filed. Depending on the agreement and provider, the existing record may be amended, continued, terminated, temporarily released or replaced.

An escrow holdback is not an automatic solution. It works only if the parties agree and both the mortgage lender and title underwriter approve it. Holding money in escrow does not itself terminate or subordinate a security interest.

Processing times vary by provider and requested document. Sellers should obtain the provider's current written timeline early. For example, Tesla states that when it records a release on the customer’s behalf, approximately 15–20 business days should be allowed for recording and delivery of the recorded copy. Tesla also states that some temporary releases are later refiled. Another provider's procedure may be different. [5]

7. Solar Panels and Appraised Value

An owned solar system may contribute to value, but ownership does not guarantee a particular adjustment. The appraiser must analyze local market reaction, comparable sales and the system's characteristics. Relevant factors include age, condition, output, remaining warranty, roof condition, utility economics and whether the equipment can be repossessed separately from the home.

Fannie Mae permits an appraiser to consider a homeowner-owned system when the ownership and collateral requirements are satisfied, but the adjustment must be supported by the market. No fixed percentage, dollar-per-watt formula or dollar-for-dollar adjustment is guaranteed in Texas or the Hill Country. Any contributory value must be supported by the market and the appraisal. [12]

Under Fannie Mae guidance, leased systems, systems subject to PPAs and separately financed systems treated as personal property generally may not be included in the appraised value. This is an underwriting rule for the relevant transaction, not a claim that the system has no practical benefit to the occupants. [11][12]

For FHA loans, leased or PPA systems are treated as personal property and excluded from the appraised value. FHA’s Solar and Wind Technologies (SWT) program can finance the installation of a new borrower-owned system; a leased system or PPA cannot be financed under that program. [14]

Official VA training material states that leased or UCC-filed systems are not assigned contributory value. USDA guidance treats leased panels as personal property and excludes them from appraised value. Neither rule, standing alone, creates a categorical prohibition against purchasing the home. [15][16]

8. Why Solar Documentation Is Appearing More Often

Texas has added substantial solar generation, and rooftop systems have become more common. That means title companies, lenders, appraisers and agents increasingly encounter solar loans, leases, PPAs and related filings in residential transactions. [2]

A grid-connected solar array does not automatically keep a home powered during an outage. Most grid-tied systems must shut down when the grid is unavailable unless the property has compatible islanding equipment, an appropriate inverter and usually energy storage. Buyers interested in backup power should verify the system's actual capabilities rather than assuming that panels alone provide energy independence.

9. What Sellers Should Do Before Listing

Before listing, determine whether the system is owned, financed, leased or governed by a PPA. Obtain the complete agreement, amendments, account statement and filing information. Do not simply ask the provider for a “payoff.” Ask separately for the loan payoff, lease or PPA prepayment amount, buyout price, transfer requirements, removal terms and processing timeline because those terms can produce different results.

Give the solar documents to the listing agent and title company early. Confirm whether the buyer can assume the agreement, whether credit approval is required, whether the seller will be released from future liability and whether any UCC filing, access agreement, easement or license must be addressed. The detailed seller checklist appears in Section 12.

10. What Buyers Should Do During Due Diligence

A buyer should obtain the complete solar agreement during the option and financing periods and submit it promptly to the mortgage lender and title company. A filing shown in Schedule C does not automatically prove that the provider has a lien against the home; the actual document must be reviewed to determine what it covers and what must be done.

The buyer should evaluate the remaining term, payment formula, escalator, transfer requirements, buyout rights, production history, utility arrangement, roof condition, equipment warranties and cost of future panel removal and reinstallation. “Transferable” does not mean that transfer approval is automatic or that it will be completed before the scheduled closing date. The detailed buyer checklist appears in Section 12.

11. Impact on Different Loan Types

The type of mortgage loan a buyer uses can affect how solar panel liens are handled.

Conventional Loans (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac). Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac do not impose a single rule that every solar UCC filing must be terminated. Treatment depends on ownership, collateral, filing location, lien priority and the mortgage product.

For a separately financed homeowner-owned system, the solar debt may need to be included in the borrower's debt-to-income calculation. If a fixture filing in the real property records creates an interest senior to the mortgage, the interest generally must be subordinated. If the debt and UCC record cover the panels as personal property and do not encumber the real property, different requirements apply.

Leases and PPAs can be eligible if the transaction satisfies the applicable agency requirements. Payments may need to be included in debt-to-income calculations. Leased or PPA equipment may not be included in appraised value.

Fannie Mae expressly recognizes that a precautionary UCC filing covering only the solar equipment can be an acceptable minor title impediment. The lender must verify that the filing does not create an unacceptable interest in the real property. [11]

FHA Loans. HUD states that a home with a leased energy system or PPA may be eligible for FHA financing if the agreement satisfies FHA’s transfer and property requirements. Restrictions that prevent the homeowner from freely transferring the property can make the arrangement unacceptable. Examples include provisions requiring third-party consent to the conveyance or credit approval of the purchaser unless the owner can terminate the agreement without cost under the conditions allowed by FHA.

FHA’s Solar and Wind Technologies program is a separate issue. That program can finance the installation of a new borrower-owned system; a leased system or PPA cannot be financed under that program. The rules for financing the installation of a new system are therefore different from the rules governing a home that already has leased equipment. [14]

VA Loans. Official VA training material states that leased or UCC-filed solar systems are not assigned value in the appraisal. That is not the same as a blanket prohibition on purchasing the home. The lender must review the contract, payment obligation, title treatment, transfer provisions and any effect on the VA-guaranteed mortgage.

Because lender overlays and the transaction documents can affect the result, the buyer should submit all solar documents to the VA lender before the financing and option deadlines. [15]

USDA Financing. The current USDA guaranteed-loan handbook expressly permits leased solar equipment and PPAs on a case-by-case basis when the agreement protects the government's first-lien position and satisfies the handbook's requirements. Among other things, the agreement may not improperly restrict transfer or foreclosure, and it must address responsibility for damage and insurance. Payments for leased equipment may be included in the borrower's debt-to-income calculation. Leased panels are treated as personal property and are excluded from appraised value. PACE obligations are ineligible. [16]

12. Practical Checklist for Buyers and Sellers

For Sellers:

SELLER CHECKLIST: START BEFORE LISTING

1. Identify whether the system is owned, financed, leased or governed by a PPA.
2. Obtain the complete original agreement and every amendment, assignment or refinancing document.
3. Obtain a current account statement and ask separately for any loan payoff, lease prepayment amount, lease or PPA buyout price, transfer requirements and removal terms.
4. Ask the provider for copies or filing information for every UCC-1, UCC-3, fixture filing, release, amendment or subordination associated with the system.
5. Give the solar documents to the listing agent and title company when the property is listed or placed under contract.
6. Confirm whether the buyer can assume the agreement, whether credit approval is required, and whether the seller remains liable after transfer.
7. Gather permits, inspection approvals, permission-to-operate or interconnection documents, warranties and system specifications.
8. Gather at least 12 months of production records and utility bills if available, while avoiding promises that the buyer will receive identical savings.
9. Confirm whether equipment, workmanship, roof-penetration and monitoring warranties are transferable and whether transfer fees apply.
10. Confirm the roof's age and condition and who pays to detach and reinstall panels for roof work.
11. Check for recorded easements, access rights, licenses or provider rights affecting the roof or property.
12. Verify the status of any solar property-tax exemption with the county appraisal district.
13. Do not promise a particular closing date until the provider supplies its written transfer or release requirements.

For Buyers:

BUYER CHECKLIST: COMPLETE THIS DURING THE OPTION AND FINANCING PERIODS

1. Ask who legally owns the panels, inverter, battery and related equipment.
2. Obtain and read the complete loan, lease or PPA, not merely a marketing summary.
3. Determine whether the proposed transaction is an assumption, prepayment, payoff or buyout.
4. Ask whether the agreement contains an escalator, minimum payment, production formula, early-termination charge, transfer fee or credit-approval condition.
5. Give the documents to the mortgage lender immediately and obtain written confirmation that the arrangement is eligible for the selected loan program.
6. Ask the title company what solar-related documents or filings it found and what Schedule C requirements must be satisfied.
7. Do not rely solely on a county record search. Ask whether a Secretary of State UCC search is appropriate and how the debtor name will be searched.
8. Confirm whether any claimed electricity rate, net-metering arrangement or retail buyback plan transfers. Texas utility and buyback rules vary among retail electric providers, municipal utilities and electric cooperatives.
9. Review actual production history and utility bills without treating past savings as a guarantee.
10. Have the system evaluated by an independent qualified solar or electrical contractor.
11. Confirm the age, model, expected remaining life and warranty status of the panels, inverter and battery. Do not treat a 25–30-year panel life as the expected life of every component.
12. Ask an insurer how the particular owned or leased system will be covered.
13. Determine who must pay to remove and reinstall the panels when the roof is replaced or repaired.
14. Confirm monitoring-account access, warranty transfers, permits, final inspections and permission to operate.
15. If the agreement or title issue is unclear, obtain legal advice before the applicable termination deadline.

A solar agreement does not guarantee that the buyer will receive the seller's historical utility savings. Retail electric plans, export credits, municipal-utility rules and electric-cooperative tariffs can differ and may change. The buyer should confirm current terms directly with the applicable utility or retail electric provider and should not treat a salesperson's savings projection as a warranty.

For more on the broader insurance picture for Texas homeowners, see the article on The Texas Insurance Stack. And for context on how new construction homes may include solar, see Buying New Construction in Texas.

13. Frequently Asked Questions

Can a buyer be forced to assume a solar lease when buying a home?

A seller cannot unilaterally impose an assumption before the buyer agrees to it. Once the parties sign a contract or addendum requiring assumption, however, their rights depend on that agreement, its contingencies and applicable termination deadlines. The solar provider may also require credit approval or other transfer conditions. A buyer who does not want the obligation should resolve the issue before signing or within the contractually permitted review period.

Does a solar lease show up on a credit report?

A solar lease or PPA may or may not appear on a consumer credit report, depending on the provider and circumstances. Regardless of reporting, the mortgage lender will normally require documentation of the payment obligation. A related UCC record may be filed with the Secretary of State or in county records. Whether it appears on the property title depends on the filing type, location and scope, not on the mere existence of a lease or PPA.

What happens if the seller stops paying the solar lease before closing?

Consequences of default depend on the agreement and applicable law. Possible remedies may include collection activity, acceleration, termination of service, enforcement of an equipment security interest or removal rights. The provider's remedies must come from the contract, an existing security interest or another legal basis.

Can a seller include the solar panel payoff in the sale price?

A seller may negotiate a price that takes the solar system and any payoff into account, but the seller cannot assume the market or appraiser will recognize the payoff dollar for dollar. The contract price, comparable sales, appraised value and lender requirements all affect the result.

Are solar panels covered by homeowners insurance?

Coverage depends on ownership, mounting method and the language of the specific policy. The homeowner should ask the insurer whether the system is covered under dwelling, other-structures, personal-property or another form of coverage rather than assuming its classification. Deductibles, exclusions, wind and hail coverage, replacement cost, roof damage and detachment or reinstallation costs should all be checked. With a lease or PPA, the agreement may allocate some equipment coverage to the provider, but the homeowner still needs written confirmation from both the provider and insurer. [19]

Can solar panels affect property taxes in Texas?

A solar UCC filing or mechanic’s lien does not itself increase the property's appraised value or tax bill. However, installation of a qualifying solar energy device may add market value to the property. Texas Tax Code Section 11.27 provides an exemption for the portion of appraised value arising from a qualifying solar or wind-powered energy device used primarily for on-site energy production and distribution. The exemption is not automatic. The property owner must apply, and a buyer should confirm the property's status and current application requirements with the county appraisal district. Comptroller Form 50-123 is used when applicable. [17][18]

Can a buyer get title insurance on a home with a solar UCC-1 filing?

A recorded solar instrument may generate a Schedule C requirement in the title commitment. If it is resolved to the title company's satisfaction, it ordinarily will not remain as an exception solely for that reason. If it is not resolved, the title company may place an exception in Schedule B of the final policy or may be unable to issue the requested coverage. The mortgage lender may also refuse to fund if its required lien position is not protected. The owner's and lender's policies should be considered separately.

Can a solar provider charge for a UCC release or subordination?

Fees depend on the agreement, provider and requested document. Tesla currently identifies a $150 document-processing fee for certain temporary release or subordination requests. That amount should not be generalized to other providers or to permanent termination after payoff. The seller should obtain the provider's current written fee schedule and instructions. [5]

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1. Texas Solar Energy Society, "Counting Texas Solar Rooftops." Estimated number of residential, commercial and industrial rooftop solar installations in Texas, based on incomplete data from multiple reporting years; includes an estimate that 2.39% of Texas residences had rooftop solar as of October 2023. txses.org
2. ERCOT, Resource Adequacy and Resource Trends. Grid reliability and solar generation data for the Texas electric market. ercot.com
3. Texas Secretary of State, Texas UCC Filing Rules and Texas Business and Commerce Code Section 9.501. UCC filing procedures, fixture filing requirements, and search capabilities for Texas. sos.state.tx.us
4. Texas Business and Commerce Code Section 9.513, termination statements. Requirements for filing termination statements after secured obligation is satisfied. statutes.capitol.texas.gov
5. Tesla, Transferring Ownership of Your Solar System. Tesla solar panel transfer process, fees, and documentation requirements. tesla.com
6. Texas Department of Insurance, Form T-7 Commitment for Title Insurance. Standard form for preliminary title commitment used in Texas real estate transactions. tdi.texas.gov
7. Texas Real Estate Commission, Seller's Disclosure Notice, Form 55-1. TREC disclosure form addressing the physical condition of qualifying residential property; it is not a comprehensive solar-financing or lien disclosure. trec.texas.gov
8. Texas Real Estate Commission, Addendum Regarding Fixture Leases, Form 52-1. Standard addendum addressing leased fixtures including solar panels in Texas real estate contracts. trec.texas.gov
9. Texas REALTORS, "How Panels Affect Transactions." Real estate professional guidance on solar panel disclosures and title issues. texasrealestate.com
10. Texas Property Code Chapter 53, Mechanic’s, Contractor’s or Materialman’s Lien. Current statutory text governing mechanic’s lien claims, deadlines, and homestead protections. statutes.capitol.texas.gov
11. Fannie Mae Selling Guide B2-3-04, Special Property Eligibility Considerations. Treatment of owned and leased solar systems; lease requirements; DTI inclusion. fanniemae.com
12. Fannie Mae Selling Guide B4-1.3-05, Improvements Section of the Appraisal Report. Appraisal treatment of solar equipment and improvements. fanniemae.com
13. Freddie Mac Seller/Servicer Guide Section 5601.4. Freddie Mac requirements for properties with leased or financed solar equipment. freddiemac.com
14. HUD Handbook 4000.1 and FHA guidance concerning leased energy systems and PPAs. FHA eligibility requirements for properties with leased solar systems or power purchase agreements.
    hud.gov
    answers.hud.gov
15. Department of Veterans Affairs, 'Energy-Efficient Properties,' 2023 lender-training material. Official VA training slides stating that leased or UCC-filed solar systems are not assigned contributory value in the appraisal. benefits.va.gov
16. USDA Rural Development, HB-1-3555. USDA guaranteed-loan handbook provisions for leased solar equipment and PPAs. usda.gov
17. Texas Tax Code Section 11.27. Property tax exemption for solar and wind-powered energy devices. statutes.capitol.texas.gov
18. Texas Comptroller, Form 50-123. Application form for the solar and wind-powered energy device property tax exemption. comptroller.texas.gov
19. Texas Department of Insurance, Home Insurance Guide. General explanation of Texas home-insurance coverage categories, covered perils, exclusions, deductibles, limits and the need to review the particular policy. tdi.texas.gov

Updated July 27, 2026. Mechanic’s-lien deadlines, UCC filing procedures and lender guidelines, including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA and USDA requirements, are subject to change. Readers should confirm current requirements with a licensed Texas real estate attorney, title company or loan officer before relying on any deadline, eligibility rule or dollar figure in this article.

This article provides general Texas real estate information, not legal, lending, appraisal, tax or insurance advice. Solar agreements and filing records vary substantially. Buyers and sellers should have the actual documents reviewed by their title company, mortgage lender and, when legal rights or disputed obligations are involved, a qualified Texas attorney.