Protecting What Matters Most
These agreements are typically referred to as “marital property agreements.” The Texas Family Code governs three types of marital property agreements:
Texas Family Code Section 4.102 allows spouses to partition or exchange between themselves all or part of their community property. Community property is defined as property, other than separate property, obtained by either spouse during the marriage. See Texas Family Code Sec. 3.002
Spouses may at any time choose to enter into an agreement to transfer his or her interest in community property by a partition agreement. This decision results in a particular piece of property or property interest becoming the other spouse’s separate property.
Texas Family Code Section 4.006 governs the enforceability of these agreements. A partition agreement under Section 4.102 must be in writing and signed by both parties. Also if a dispute arises regarding the legitimacy of this agreement, know that the spouse attempting to set aside the premarital agreement must prove that the agreement is unenforceable.
Section 4.006 provides that the party must prove the following:
Spouses may also convert separate property to community property. A spouse’s separate property includes property owned or claimed by the spouse before marriage; property obtained by a spouse during the marriage by gift, devise, or descent; and proceeds recovered for personal injuries sustained by the spouse during the marriage. See Tex. Fam. Code Sec. 3.001. Texas Family Code Section 4.205 governs the enforceability of spouses to convert separate property to community property. An agreement to convert separate property to community property must be voluntarily executed and the party converting his/her separate property must have fair and reasonable disclosure of the legal effect of converting his/her property to community property. See
Section 4.205 also provides for written agreements to contain a statement that should be exhibited in bold-faced type, capital letters, or underlined that provide disclosure language of a party’s knowledge of the effect of converting property to community property. A party resisting the agreement must prove unenforceability, however, unlike Section 4.006, Section 4.205 includes no provisions regarding unconscionability as a defense to enforceability.
Our Austin family law attorneys handle a wide range of matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support (alimony), property division, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, adoption, and modifications of court orders. Whether your case is straightforward or highly contested, our team provides personalized legal guidance to protect your rights and your family’s future.
The timeline for a divorce varies depending on the complexity of the case and whether it’s contested or uncontested. Texas law requires a 60-day waiting period after filing before a divorce can be finalized, but contested cases involving disputes over property, custody, or support can take several months or even longer to resolve.
An uncontested divorce occurs when both spouses agree on all major issues, such as property division, custody, and support. These cases are generally faster and less expensive.
A contested divorce, on the other hand, involves disagreements that require negotiation, mediation, or a court decision. Our attorneys are experienced in both types of cases and can guide you through either process efficiently.
In Texas, the court’s primary concern is always the best interest of the child. Factors considered include each parent’s ability to provide for the child, the stability of each home environment, the child’s relationship with each parent, and, in some cases, the child’s preferences. Our Austin family lawyers work hard to protect your parental rights and achieve an arrangement that supports your child’s well-being.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Attorney James Evans, who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a family law attorney.
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