AUSTIN — Two bills passed during the 87th Legislative Session by Senator Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, consolidating civil court filing fees and prohibiting predatory wrap mortgages lending practices, became effective Jan. 1. This legislation is meant to simplify court costs and to protect homebuyers.

The Texas civil court system is difficult enough to navigate without the added burden of a complicated fee system, according Zaffirini. Under the previous law, the Office of Court Administration...