In a high net worth divorce, the parties may want to reach an amicable resolution of property division. In a recent Texas divorce case, a husband challenged the final divorce decree that upheld the parties settlement agreement without giving him notice and a hearing. The parties got married in March…
Articles Posted in Settlement
Texas Divorce Decree Must Generally Comply with Mediated Settlement Agreement
If the parties in a Texas custody case reach a Mediated Settlement Agreement (“MSA”), the court must enter judgment on the MSA. The MSA is binding if it meets the three requirements set out in Tex. Fam. Code § 153.0071(d). First, it must prominently state that it is not subject…
Texas Appeals Court Vacates Property Division After Husband Revokes Consent to Agreed Division
When parties to a Texas divorce can reach an agreement on property division or other issues, they may be able to resolve their case more efficiently and with less hostility than can occur with prolonged litigation. In some cases, however, a party may learn information after initially agreeing to a…
Texas Appeals Court Upholds Divorce Decree Following Arbitration Award
Parties to a Texas divorce may choose to pursue alternative dispute resolution to avoid litigation. They may resolve part or all of their disputes through mediation. A mediated settlement agreement (“MSA”) is binging on both parties if it prominently states that it is not subject to revocation, is signed by…
Discrepancies Between Texas Divorce Decree and Property-Division Agreement
When parties to a Texas divorce agree to a property division, the final judgment based on the agreement must strictly comply with it. The trial court cannot add, change, or leave out material terms. A final judgment based on a property division agreement must be set aside if it is…
Texas Final Divorce Decree Constituted Consent Judgment after Revocation of MSA
“A scroll of a Divorce Decree, tied with a black ribbon on a mahogany desk, with a dead white rose buttonhole from the Wedding Day, with a black pen. Copy space..” A Texas Mediated Settlement Agreement (“MSA”) must generally include language that it is not subject to revocation, be signed…
Texas Mediated Settlement Agreement Upheld Despite Husband’s Failure to Disclose Assets
Insurance agent checking policy documents in office. When parties to a Texas divorce case enter into a mediated settlement agreement (“MSA”) that meets the statutory requirements, the MSA is generally binding and the divorce decree must adopt the agreement. An MSA may not be enforceable, however, if it was procured…
Addressing an Error in a Texas Child-Support Mediated Settlement Agreement
Parties to a Texas suit affecting the parent-child relationship may enter into a mediated settlement agreement (“MSA”) to resolve one or more issues in their suit. An MSA is binding if it prominently states in bold or underlined font or in capital letters that it is not subject to revocation,…
Texas Contractual Alimony Claim Barred by Contract Statute of Limitations
Texas divorce cases can involve multiple areas of law. Contract law applies to pre-marital and post-marital agreements. Contract law may also apply to agreements the parties enter into as part of a divorce. In a recent case, a portion of a wife’s claims for contractual alimony was barred by the…
Texas Appeals Court Finds Wife Did Not Commit Fraud by Nondisclosure
In some cases, a party to a Texas divorce may agree to a settlement that seemingly has less-than-favorable terms. For example, a party may agree to their spouse receiving property with a higher monetary value to ensure they receive property that has personal value to them. In a recent case,…