Texas Divorce Laws

Texas divorce laws for people considering a Texas divorce or filing a Texas divorce with issues to be resolved about child custody, child support, visitation and alimony. Texas statutes can be viewed at   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/.    Statutes cover but are not limited to the following subjects:

•Divorce Definitions

•Divorce Residency Requirements

•Grounds for Divorce

•Uncontested Divorce

•Simplified Divorce Process

•Military Divorce Laws

•Child Custody

•Child Support Considerations

•Child Support Definitions

•Child Support Guidelines

•Spousal Support, Maintenance, and Alimony guidelines

•Property Division Considerations

•Grandparents’ Rights

Texas Divorce Definitions

These definitions will help you understand some unique characteristics to the Texas Divorce laws, process and paperwork which is filed with the court.

Filing Party Title: Petitioner -The spouse who will initiate the Divorce by filing the required paperwork with the court.

Non-Filing Party Title: Respondent -The spouse who does not initiate the Divorce with the court.

Court Name: In the District Court of _____ County, _____ Judicial District -The proper name of the court in which a Divorce is filed in the state of Texas. Each jurisdictional court typically has a domestic relations or a family law department or division.

Child Support Enforcement Website:
http://www.oag.state.tx.us/child/mainchil.htm -The state run office devoted to enforcing existing child support orders and collecting any past due child support.

Document Introduction: In the Matter of the Marriage of: -The lead-in verbiage used in the legal caption or header of the documents filed with the court. The introduction typically prefaces both spouse’s names.

Initial Divorce Document: Original Petition for Divorce -The title and name of the legal document that will initiate the Texas Divorce process. The filing spouse is also required to provide the non-filing spouse a copy of this document.

Final Divorce Document: Decree of Divorce -The title and name of the legal document that will finalize the Texas Divorce process. This document will be signed by the judge, master, or referee of the court to declare your marriage officially terminated.

Clerk’s Office Name: District Clerk’s Office -The office of the clerk that will facilitate the Divorce process. This is the title you would address letters to or ask for when contacting the courthouse.

Legal Separation: Separation agreements are expressly authorized by statute. [Texas Codes Annotated; Family Code,

Property Distribution: Community Property -The applicable Texas law that will dictate how property and debt is to be divided upon Divorce.

Texas Divorce Resources -

Texas Specific Divorce Overview

Texas Specific Divorce Articles -

Texas Specific Divorce Documents -

Texas Specific Divorce Professionals -