November 29, 2022  

What are the Seven Grounds for Divorce in Texas?

You may have heard that divorce is much easier to get in Texas than it is in other states. The grounds for divorce are indeed more lenient in Texas. However, it's not always easy to get a case dismissed. If you are considering getting a divorce in Texas, it is important to keep in mind that there are seven grounds for divorce.
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"Texas grounds for divorce can be divided into seven types of grounds, including insupportability, cruelty, adultery, felony conviction, abandonment, living apart, and confinement in a mental hospital."

What is the Difference Between No-Fault & Fault Divorces?

Texas is a no-fault divorce state, which means that there are no grounds or conditions that must be in place for a couple to get a divorce. In a no-fault divorce, the parties can simply state that the marriage is irretrievably broken and there is no hope for reconciliation. If either party wants to get a divorce, they can simply file the papers to dissolve their marriage. However, divorce will take a longer process if one party intends to prove that the other party is at fault. This is called fault divorce. Fault-based divorce describes the need to show cause for divorce. In a fault-based divorce, the respondent must show the court that the other person was at fault for the breakup. Texas grounds for divorce can be divided into seven types of grounds, including insupportability, cruelty, adultery, felony conviction, abandonment, living apart, and confinement in a mental hospital.

What are the legal grounds for divorce in Texas?

In Texas, there are seven grounds for divorce: adultery, abandonment, insupportability, cruelty, felony conviction, living apart, and mental incapacity. It's important to understand the grounds on which you can file.

1. Insupportability

If one spouse files for divorce on the grounds of insupportability, the other spouse cannot contest it. This means that if you are considering filing for divorce on the grounds of insupportability, it is important to understand what this term means and how it can benefit you.

Insupportability is defined as the inability of one spouse to live with the other. If a marriage is found to be unsustainable due to incompatibility, then a divorce can be granted on the grounds of insupportability. The Texas Family Code provides for no-fault divorces on these grounds. This means that there is no need for either party to have committed any specific actions that led to the dissolution of their relationship.

There is a waiting period of 60 days from the date of filing before a divorce can be finalized on this basis. After this period has passed, an order for final judgment will be issued by the court, and both parties will become legally separated.

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“Adultery is defined as a "sexual relationship between two people who are not married to each other."

2. Adultery

In Texas, adultery can be a ground for divorce. This means that if one spouse has committed the act of adultery, the other spouse can file for divorce.

Adultery is defined as a "sexual relationship between two people who are not married to each other." A sexual relationship includes any form of sexual activity, including kissing and touching. It can be either consensual or non-consensual. If it is consensual, then it will not be considered adultery. If it is non-consensual, it will most likely be considered adultery, depending on the event's circumstances.

The first step toward divorce is filing a complaint with the court, which requires that one spouse must file an affidavit asserting that they have been unfaithful. The second step is proof of adultery by clear and convincing evidence (the "clear and convincing" standard is used because it requires that one spouse's testimony be more credible than another's). If this has been done, the court will schedule a hearing at which both spouses can testify and present evidence to support their side of the story.

3. Abandonment

If your spouse has abandoned you, you may be able to file for divorce. To do so, you must allege that your spouse has abandoned you for at least six months. You cannot reconcile with your spouse and must live apart from them for at least three years.

If you are filing for divorce on the grounds of abandonment, it is important to understand what evidence will be needed to prove your case. This evidence can include statements from friends or family members who have seen indications that your spouse has stopped caring for you, documentation of any financial difficulties you have experienced since the abandonment, and any letters or emails that show how your spouse has abandoned you. If you can provide this evidence, a judge may grant your request for a divorce.

4. Cruelty

If you are considering filing for divorce on the grounds of cruelty, it is important to speak with an experienced family law attorney who can help you understand your rights and options under the law. Under Texas law, one of the grounds for divorce is cruelty, which is defined as when a spouse treats the other in a cruel and inhumane way. This definition can vary from state to state, but generally includes any physical or emotional abuse that causes pain or suffering.

In some cases, cruelty can also be considered financial abuse, such as when one spouse withholds money from the other out of malice or control. It is also important to consider whether there has been any violence or threats of violence between you and your spouse. If so, filing for divorce on the grounds of cruelty may be appropriate.

5. Felony Conviction

A felony conviction is a ground for divorce in Texas. If one spouse has been convicted of a felony, the other spouse can file for divorce on the grounds of insupportability. The filing spouse must show that they cannot reasonably be expected to live with the convicted spouse and that their well-being is harmed by being around them. This means that even if the couple is living apart, a divorce on the grounds of a felony conviction can still be granted.

The grounds for divorce on the grounds of a felony conviction are very specific. The convicted spouse must have been convicted of a felony, meaning they have committed a crime that is punishable by more than one year in jail or a fine of more than $10,000. Furthermore, the conviction must have occurred after the marriage began and before the filing spouse filed for divorce. If either of these conditions is not met, then the divorce cannot be granted on the grounds of a conviction of a felony.

6. Living Apart

Living apart is a ground for divorce in Texas. It can be used to prove that one of the spouses has been living apart from the other and that this separation has been continuous for at least three years.

The court does not require any specific proof to establish that one party has been living apart from the other. However, the court will look at all relevant factors when deciding whether or not this is true. These factors include:

  • The length of time that the parties have lived apart

  • How often do they communicate with each other

  • How close do they live to each other (if they live in different states)

  • What kind of relationship do they have now (if they are married)

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"A finding of mental incapacity can be made if one spouse suffers from a severe mental illness, Alzheimer's disease, or dementia."

7.  Confinement to a Mental Hospital

Mental incapacity can be a ground for divorce in Texas. This means that one spouse cannot understand their marriage's nature and consequences. The mental incapacity must have existed at the time of the marriage and must be incurable. A finding of mental incapacity can be made if one spouse suffers from a severe mental illness, Alzheimer's disease, or dementia.

If one spouse alleges that the other is mentally incapacitated, there are several factors that the court will consider in making a decision. These include whether the mental incapacity makes it difficult for the spouse to carry out normal marital duties or responsibilities, whether the incapacity has caused significant distress and impairment in daily life, and whether treatment is available to improve the spouse's ability to cope with their condition.

Conclusion

When getting divorced in the state of Texas, you must understand the grounds for filing. There are seven grounds for divorce in Texas: adultery, abandonment, insupportability, cruelty, felony conviction, living apart, and mental incapacity. Each of these grounds has specific requirements that must be met for a divorce to be granted. If you are considering filing for divorce in Texas, it is important to consult with an experienced divorce attorney who can help you understand the grounds on which you can file and the process for doing so.

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AILEEN LIGOT DIZON

Aileen is an experienced Texas Divorce Attorney. She is the founder and managing partner of Ligot Dizon Law Firm, P.C. She handles immigration, estate planning, divorce, and related family law matters.