Source: https://www.divorcetoday.com/divorce-info/texas
Timestamp: 2020-05-30 22:39:10
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Texas - DivorceToday.com
Distribution Of Property Under Texas Divorce Law
In analyzing the distribution of property, the court will divide your property into two primary categories:
Community property consists of the property, other than separate property, acquired by either spouse during marriage. This is true even if only one spouse has possession of the property. Just because one spouse is named on the title, deed, or account; one person receives the asset as payment for personal services (ie: salary); or the asset will not be paid until a future date (ie: retirement) do not make it separate property. There is a presumption that all property possessed by either spouse is community property. Separate property ownership must be proven by clear and convincing evidence. The most common way of proof is by tracing the asset from the date of acquisition to present date.
Tracing how funds were acquired can be particularly difficult if funds have been deposited into an account which also contains monies which would be considered community property (ie: salary) has been deposited, the separate property may become commingled to the point that it is not possible or cost-effective to prove its continued existence.
Briefly stated, Separate Property consists of:
Property exchanged for above items 1 – 3
Division of Community Property:
Community property is divided in a just and right manner. This does not necessarily mean equally. However, an equal division is a good rule of thumb. The value of all the property is to be determined as near as possible to the date your divorce. “Value” usually means the price at which the item could be sold currently on the open market. Insurance appraisals are at replacement value, which is usually higher. It is also necessary to determine current debts. It may be necessary to retain an appraiser to value your home, business, or retirement plan.
Selected Texas Divorce Statutes
§ 6.002. CRUELTY. The court may grant a divorce in favor of one spouse if the other spouse is guilty of cruel treatment toward the complaining spouse of a nature that renders further living together insupportable.
§ 6.003. ADULTERY. The court may grant a divorce in favor of one spouse if the other spouse has committed adultery.
§ 6.004. CONVICTION OF FELONY.
has been imprisoned for at least one year in the state penitentiary, a federal penitentiary, or the penitentiary of another state; and
§ 6.005. ABANDONMENT. The court may grant a divorce in favor of one spouse if the other spouse:
§ 6.006. LIVING APART. The court may grant a divorce in favor of either spouse if the spouses have lived apart without cohabitation for at least three years.
§ 6.007. CONFINEMENT IN MENTAL HOSPITAL. The court may grant a divorce in favor of one spouse if at the time the suit is filed:
§ 6.008. DEFENSES.
§ 6.101. ANNULMENT OF MARRIAGE OF PERSON UNDER AGE 14.
The court may grant an annulment of a licensed marriage of a person under 14 years of age unless a court order has been obtained as provided in Subchapter B, Chapter 2.
A suit under this section to annul the marriage of a person 14 years of age or older that was entered into before the person was 14 years of age is barred unless the suit is filed within the later of:
90 days after the date the petitioner knew or should have known of the marriage; or
90 days after the date of the 14th birthday of the underage party.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, § 1, eff. April 17, 1997. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1362, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
§ 6.102. ANNULMENT OF MARRIAGE OF PERSON UNDER AGE 18.
The court may grant an annulment of a licensed or informal marriage of a person 14 years of age or older but under 18 years of age that occurred without parental consent or without a court order as provided by Subchapters B and E, Chapter 2.
§ 6.104. DISCRETIONARY ANNULMENT OF UNDERAGE MARRIAGE.
An annulment under Section 6.101 or 6.102 of a marriage may be granted at the discretion of the court sitting without a jury.
In exercising its discretion, the court shall consider the pertinent facts concerning the welfare of the parties to the marriage, including whether the female is pregnant.
§ 6.105. UNDER INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR NARCOTICS. The court may grant an annulment of a marriage to a party to the marriage if:
§ 6.106. IMPOTENCY. The court may grant an annulment of a marriage to a party to the marriage if:
§ 6.107. FRAUD, DURESS, OR FORCE. The court may grant an annulment of a marriage to a party to the marriage if:
§ 6.108. MENTAL INCAPACITY.
The court may grant an annulment of a marriage to a party to the marriage on the suit of the party or the party’s guardian or next friend, if the court finds it to be in the party’s best interest to be represented by a guardian or next friend, if:
§ 6.109. CONCEALED DIVORCE.
A suit may not be brought under this section after the first anniversary of the date of the marriage.
§ 6.110. MARRIAGE LESS THAN 72 HOURS AFTER ISSUANCE OF LICENSE.
The court may grant an annulment of a marriage to a party to the marriage if the marriage ceremony took place in violation of Section 2.204 during the 72-hour period immediately following the issuance of the marriage license.
§ 6.111. DEATH OF PARTY TO VOIDABLE MARRIAGE. A marriage subject to annulment may not be challenged in a proceeding instituted after the death of either party to the marriage.
Mediation Procedures in Divorce Matters
§ 6.602. MEDIATION PROCEDURES.
§ 6.603. COLLABORATIVE LAW.
On a written agreement of the parties and their attorneys, a dissolution of marriage proceeding may be conducted under collaborative law procedures.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1022, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Decision-Making:Texas has adopted presumptive Joint Managing Conservatorship. The court is required to appoint both parents as Joint Managing Conservators, unless it finds that the appointment would significantly impair the child’s physical health or emotional development. Joint Managing Conservatorship means the sharing of the rights, privileges, duties and powers relating to their child by two parties, even if the exclusive power to make certain decisions may be awarded to one party. Joint Managing Conservatorship does not mean that there will be equal or nearly equal periods of physical possession or access to the child by each parent.
Visitation (Possession and Access):
Visitation in Texas is referred to as “possession and access.” Typically, the Texas courts permit the natural parents to work out an arrangement between themselves that they believe is best for the child. However, if the parents are unable to reach an agreement, the courts will issue an order.
In Texas, the terminology used to describe parenting time/access is different than in other jurisdictions. The parent exercising visitation is referred to as the "Possessory Conservator." The parent whose home is the child's primary residence is referred to as the "Managing Conservator."
Under the Standard Possession Order, visitation arrangements can have many variations. If parents cannot agree, child visitation will generally follow a schedule developed by the Texas legislature that is intended to be fair and workable for both parents in a wide variety of circumstances.
The Standard Possession Order is common in the State of Texas. There is a standard visitation order for parents who live less than 100 miles from each other. There is another standard visitation order for parents who live more than 100 miles from each other.
Under the standard order for parents who live less than 100 miles from each other, the non-custodial parent has access/visitation as follows:
Every 1st, 3rd and 5th weekend, beginning on Friday either at 6:00pm, or when school gets out, and ending on Sunday at 6:00pm or on Monday morning when school starts.
Every Wednesday, from either 6:00pm-8:00pm, or when school gets out until school starts on Thursday.
Spring Break in even-numbered years (2004, 2006, etc.).
30 days in the summer (there are a lot of details about when this 30 days is, and when the other parent can visit with the kids during the 30 days).
The first half of Christmas vacation (ending at noon on December 26) in even-numbered years (2004, 2006, etc.).
The second half of Christmas vacation (beginning at noon on December 26) in odd-numbered years (2003, 2005, etc.).
Thanksgiving vacation in odd-numbered years (2003, 2005, etc.).
6:00-8:00pm on the child’s birthday.
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day weekends go to the mother and father, respectively.
For parents who live more than 100 miles from each other, the non-custodial parent has access/visitation as follows:
Either every 1st, 3rd and 5th weekend of each month, beginning on Friday at 6:00 pm and ending on Sunday at 6:00 pm OR one weekend per month, with 14 days notice.
Every Spring Break.
42 days in the summer (there are a lot of details about when this 42 days is, and when the other parent can visit with the kids during the 42 days).
An order which deviates from the aforementioned possession schedules is referred to as a "Modified Possession Order." This means the terms of possession are changed from the typical standard possession order (explained above). The modified possession order terms will vary depending on the needs of the parents, the age of the child, and specific issues of the case.
The court considers the age and needs of the child, including the child's normal structure and routine, as well as the history of each parent's involvement with the child. If the visiting parent has already established a schedule of caring for the child overnight, it is unlikely the court will put new limitations on the visiting parent's schedule. If such limitations are put in place until a child reaches a certain age, the parent who has primary possession of the child is expected to cooperate with the visiting parent to insure the visiting parent has ample visitation time without unfairly disrupting the child's routine and environment. Both parents should also provide the other with a list of the child's schedule and routine while the child has been with him or her so the schedule may be maintained.
You may download a Texas Visitation Agreement (also known as a Joint Conservatorship and Possession Agreement) from our Texas Divorce Forms page.
Texas Divorce/Property Settlement Update: Recent Decisions and News
In a decision entered by the Texas Court of Appeals on February 4, 2010, in the matter Kee v. Kee 05-08-00013-CV (Tex.App.-Dallas 2-4-2010), the Texas Court of Appeals (Dallas) ruled that the alimony provisions of the parties' partition agreement were not controlled by Chapter Eight of the Family Code where the parties failed to set forth the factors warranting alimony, and made no reference in their agreement to Chapter Eight. Based on the foregoing, the Court of Appeals ruled that the remedy of contempt was not available to the Wife for the Husband's failure to make the payments that were required of him under the Agreement.
Chapter eight of the Texas Family Code sets forth numerous factors for a trial court to consider in determining spousal maintenance. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 8.052. Moreover, spousal maintenance under chapter eight must be of limited duration and must terminate on remarriage. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §§ 8.054, 8.056. Chapter Eight also provides for income withholding for spousal maintenance payments. See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 8.101.
In the Kee case, the wife sought enforcement and contempt against her husband for his failure to pay alimony, as was agreed upon by the parties in their written Partition Agreement (the "Agreement").
The Appeals Court described the parties' Partition Agreement as follows:
That Agreement included a provision that, if the parties separated, Husband would provide monthly financial support for Wife and their two children in the amount of $3,400. The Agreement also provided that Husband would pay alimony in accordance with the support provision if the parties divorced. The parties were divorced on January 5, 2006. The divorce decree ordered Husband to pay child support and alimony for a combined total of $3,400.
The Appeals Court held that the parties' agreement for payment of maintenance was a private contractual obligation that did not arise from Chapter Eight of the Family Code. Among other factors, the Appeals Court noted that the Kees' Agreement lacked any specific reference to Chapter Eight of the Family Code, or the factors governing alimony which are set forth therein. The Court also noted that the period during which payment of alimony was to occur under the Kees' agreement exceeded the time period allowable under Chapter Eight. Finally, the Court further noted that the parties' agreement made no mention of the factors which necessitated payment of alimony.
Based on the foregoing, the Court of Appeals ruled that the husband could not be subject to contempt for his failure to pay alimony:
[A] private alimony debt is not contempt punishable by incarceration. Id. A legal obligation to support a spouse is enforceable by contempt, but a promise to pay contractual alimony creates nothing more than a debt.
Kee, 05-08-00013-CV (Tex.App.-Dallas 2-4-2010) (quoting In re Green, 221 S.W.3d 645, 646 (Tex. 2007)).
the duration of the marriage was 10 years or longer, the spouse seeking maintenance lacks sufficient property, including property distributed to the spouse under this code, to provide for the spouse’s minimum reasonable needs, as limited by Section 8.054, and the spouse seeking maintenance:
is the custodian of a child of the marriage of any age who requires substantial care and personal supervision because a physical or mental disability makes it necessary, taking into consideration the needs of the child, that the spouse not be employed outside the home; or
clearly lacks earning ability in the labor market adequate to provide support for the spouse’s minimum reasonable needs, as limited by Section 8.054.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, § 1, eff. April 17, 1997. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, § 6.05, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 304, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Renumbered from § 8.002 and amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 807, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 914, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2005.
This article is provided for general information purposes only. This is not legal advice.
By: Marc A. Rapaport, Attorney at Law http://www.RapaportLaw.com
Community Portion of a Defined Benefit Plan (Pension) In Texas Divorce Cases
In the Berry decision, the Texas Supreme Court held that the community portion of a pension does not include post-divorce increase. Instead, under Texas law, the spouse's community claim is limited to the value of the accrued benefit as of the date of the divorce.
In the Berry decision, the Texas Supreme Court seemingly disregarded common sense by disregarding the fact that subsequent to the date of divorce, the value of a pension benefits that were already accrued continues to change as time goes by. In particular, the value increases as the participant spouse's actual retirement (or eligibility for retirement) draws nearer. The Supreme Court of Texas dismissed the reality of such increases in value, stating "we reject the concept of inflation as a factor for our consideration as it relates to the current value of retirement benefits." Id. at 947. Thus, through a single and (completely absurd) sentence, the Supreme Court of Texas issued a harsh and unjustifiable slap to the face of any non-participant spouse seeking their share of pension benefits in divorce.
The Berry decision, and its financial consequences, should be considered when negotiating or drafting a Texas QDRO or marital separation agreement.