In Texas, as in other states, many couples file for divorce each year. In some cases, one of the parties will refuse to comply with one or more of the requirements set forth in the divorce decree. In the event that an ex-spouse refuses to comply with some aspect of a divorce decree such as turning over property or paying spousal maintenance or child support, the other party may file a suit to enforce. The procedure for this and other family law matters is set forth in the applicable Family Code statute.
Alimony in Texas
Alimony, also known as spousal support or contractual maintenance, is the court-ordered or approved amount that one spouse must pay the other after divorce. If neither party can agree on an amount, the court will only assign alimony under specific conditions per Texas state law.
The filing and notification processes for a divorce
The divorce process typically commences when the petitioner files for divorce. Subsequently, the other spouse, or the respondent, receives notice of the petition. Filing for divorce in Texas requires the couple to have lived in the state for a minimum of six months. Moreover, the petition for divorce must be submitted in the county where the couple has lived for the previous 90 days.
Domestic violence in Texas
Domestic violence continues to plague Texans, both male and female, who fall victim to the abusive behavior of their partners. Studies have shown that domestic violence normally follows a cyclical pattern with recognizable, discrete behavioral patterns. Recognizing the early warning signs that a person is in a potentially abusive relationship is important in order to prevent it from occurring.
