Legal Research Guides > Divorce (last updated: 03/13/2024)
General Information
Texaslawhelp.org contains several research articles about divorce in Texas. Read More.
Blogs from Ex Libris Juris
Additional Resources
Texas Laws
Texas Family Code
Acquiring Jurisdiction Over Nonresident Respondent—Tex. Fam. Code § 6.305
Answer—Tex. Fam. Code § 6.403
Caption—Tex. Fam. Code § 6.401
General Residency Rule for Divorce Suit—Tex. Fam. Code § 6.301
Grounds for Divorce and Defenses—Tex. Fam. Code §§ 6.001—6.008
Pleadings—Tex. Fam. Code § 6.402
Property Division—Tex. Fam. Code §§ 7.001, et seq.
Remarriage—Tex. Fam. Code § 6.801
Service of Citation—Tex. Fam. Code § 6.408
Spousal Maintenance—Tex. Fam. Code §§ 8.001, et seq.
Suit for Divorce by Nonresident Spouse—Tex. Fam. Code § 6.302
Waiting Period—Tex. Fam. Code § 6.702
Waiver of Prohibition Against Remarriage—Tex. Fam. Code § 6.802
Waiver of Service—Tex. Fam. Code § 6.4035
Court Rules
*Be sure to check the website of the court to which you are assigned. Policies, procedures, and requirements may vary from court to court.
Forms
Online
Print (Available at the Law Library)
The Handbook of Texas Family Law: A Quick Reference Guide to the Texas Family Code (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library and through Westlaw Patron Access Remote)
O’Connor’s Texas Family Law Forms (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library)
Texas Family Law Practice and Procedure (Also available online through the Law Library’s LexisNexis Digital Library)
Texas Jurisprudence Pleadings and Practice Forms (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library and through Westlaw Patron Access Remote)
Texas Legal Practice Forms (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library and through Westlaw Patron Access Remote)
Texas Litigation Guide (Dorsaneo)(Also available online through the Law Library’s LexisNexis Digital Library)
Texas Practice Guide. Family Law (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library and through Westlaw Patron Access Remote)
West’s Texas Forms (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library and through Westlaw Patron Access Remote)
Print Resources
Equitable distribution of property, By Brett R. Turner, Thomson Reuters. This work examines in detail laws surrounding the equitable distribution of marital property and covers precedential appellate law. (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library.)
Family law in a nutshell, By John E.B. Myers, West Academic Publishing. Despite its small size, this book provides an excellent overview of various subjects that make up family law. Chapter 5, Marriage and Divorce, gives a brief history of divorce and information about the divorce process.
Handbook of Texas Family Law: A Quick Reference Guide to the Texas Family Code (Texas Practice Vol. 33), By John F. Elder, Thomson Reuters. This book analyzes relevant sections of the Texas Family Code and how they relate to family law issues. Chapter 6 focuses on divorce while Chapters 9-12 talk about property and property division. (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library.)
Making it legal, By Frederick Hertz and Emily Doskow, Nolo. Chapter 3 of this general legal guide for individuals of the LGBTQ+ community provides insight into some of the legal implications that arise with a divorce while chapter 8 offers tips on improving relationship quality and resolving conflicts. (Also available through the Law Library’s EBCSO Legal Information Reference Center.)
Military divorce handbook, By Mark E. Sullivan, American Bar Association. This book delves into the unique issues that military personnel face when divorcing. There is also a detailed discussion of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act . (Also available online through the Law Library’s LexisNexis Digital Library.)
Nolo’s essential guide to divorce, By Emily Doskow, Nolo. This layperson’s guide to divorce sheds some light on the divorce process, including issues relating to child custody and support, property distribution, and spousal support. (Also available through the Law Library’s EBCSO Legal Information Reference Center.)
O’Connor’s Texas Family Law Handbook, By Randall B. Wilhite and Eileen Gaffney, Thomson Reuters. This handbook offers a comprehensive look at the procedural and basic issues relating to family law. Relevant topics include marital property (Chapter 2), suits to dissolve marriage with and without children (Chapters 3 and 4), temporary orders (Chapter 5), and dividing and confirming marital property (Chapter 7). (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library.)
Special needs child and divorce: a practical guide to handling and evaluating cases, By Margaret “Pegi” S. Price, American Bar Association. This book examines the impact that divorce has on special needs children and explains why child support guidelines and standard visitation schedules may not meet these needs of these children. (Also available online through the Law Library’s LexisNexis Digital Library.)
Texas Practice Guide. Family Law, By Ike Vanden Eykel and Kathryn J. Murphy, Thomson Reuters. This book provides practical guidance and strategies for handling issues that arise in family law matters. Chapter 3 discusses some details of the dissolution of marriage, such as the grounds, waiting period, and any residency requirements. (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library.)
Valuation of divorce assets, By Barth H. Goldberg, Thomson Reuters. This treatise provides a general overview of the valuation process and covers specific valuation issues, tax issues, and the valuation of collectibles. (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library.)
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Resources: The State Bar of Texas requires licensed attorneys to take 15 credits of CLE each year. CLE courses typically focus on a particular area of law and might include legal theory, practice tips and guidance, developments in the law, or legislative updates. CLEs are secondary resources that are especially useful in that they provide current information about legal topics and issues.
State Bar of Texas Annual Collaborative Law Course
State Bar of Texas Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute
State Bar of Texas Annual Advanced Family Law Course
State Bar of Texas Family 101 Course