There is a presumption under Texas family law that it is in the child’s best interest to be raised by their parents. Additionally, the U.S. Supreme Court has held that parents have a fundamental right to make decisions regarding the care, custody, and control of their children. Courts generally cannot…
In some situations, a Texas premarital agreement can be used to protect the parties’ assets. To be valid, a premarital agreement must be signed by both parties. A wife recently challenged a trial court’s finding there was no enforceable agreement when neither party was able to produce a signed copy…
When a party in a Texas custody case fails to respond or appear, the court may find they defaulted and enter a judgment in favor of the other party. For a court to enter a post-answer default judgment against a party, however, the pleadings must give the party fair notice…
A trial court in a Texas custody case that appoints both parents joint managing conservators must determine which parent will have the exclusive right to determine the child’s primary residence. The court must also either establish a geographic restriction or specify that there is not a geographic restriction on the…
Property possessed by either spouse at the time of a Texas divorce is generally presumed to be community property, but that presumption can be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence. A number of other rules and presumptions may affect the characterization of property during the property division. A husband recently…
A court in a Texas divorce must divide the marital estate in a just and right manner. A just and right division does not necessarily mean an equal division. Courts may consider a variety of factors in determining the property division, including fault in the break-up, income disparity, the relative…
A child custody determination from another state may be registered so it can be enforced in Texas pursuant to Tex. Fam. Code section 152.305. A request must be sent to the Texas state court with a sworn statement the order has not been modified. The requestor must also identify who…
Texas spousal maintenance is intended to give temporary support to a spouse whose ability to support themselves has diminished and whose assets are insufficient to support them. After 10 years of marriage, a spouse who shows they lack sufficient property or the ability to earn sufficient income to provide for…
For many business owners and entrepreneurs, their business is not only imperative to their financial well-being but is also a large part of their identity. This can raise obvious concerns when divorce is on the horizon. And when a couple owns a large business or corporation, or the business assets…
The best interest of the child is the primary consideration in Texas custody matters, but the courts have identified factors to be considered in determining the child’s best interest in certain circumstances. A mother recently appealed a court’s denial of her request to remove a geographic restriction, arguing the court…