FAMILY CODE

TITLE 1. THE MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP

SUBTITLE A. MARRIAGE

CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

SUBCHAPTER A. DEFINITIONS

Sec. 1.001.  APPLICABILITY OF DEFINITIONS.  (a)  The definitions in this subchapter apply to this title.

(b)  Except as provided by this subchapter, the definitions in Chapter 101 apply to terms used in this title.

(c)  If, in another part of this title, a term defined by this subchapter has a meaning different from the meaning provided by this subchapter, the meaning of that other provision prevails.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, Sec. 1, eff. April 17, 1997.

Sec. 1.002.  COURT.  "Court" means the district court, juvenile court having the jurisdiction of a district court, or other court expressly given jurisdiction of a suit under this title.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, Sec. 1, eff. April 17, 1997.

Sec. 1.003.  SUIT FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE.  "Suit for dissolution of a marriage" includes a suit for divorce or annulment or to declare a marriage void.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, Sec. 1, eff. April 17, 1997.

SUBCHAPTER B. PUBLIC POLICY

Sec. 1.101.  EVERY MARRIAGE PRESUMED VALID.  In order to promote the public health and welfare and to provide the necessary records, this code specifies detailed rules to be followed in establishing the marriage relationship.  However, in order to provide stability for those entering into the marriage relationship in good faith and to provide for an orderly determination of parentage and security for the children of the relationship, it is the policy of this state to preserve and uphold each marriage against claims of invalidity unless a strong reason exists for holding the marriage void or voidable.  Therefore, every marriage entered into in this state is presumed to be valid unless expressly made void by Chapter 6 or unless expressly made voidable by Chapter 6 and annulled as provided by that chapter.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, Sec. 1, eff. April 17, 1997.

Sec. 1.102.  MOST RECENT MARRIAGE PRESUMED VALID.  When two or more marriages of a person to different spouses are alleged, the most recent marriage is presumed to be valid as against each marriage that precedes the most recent marriage until one who asserts the validity of a prior marriage proves the validity of the prior marriage.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, Sec. 1, eff. April 17, 1997.

Sec. 1.103.  PERSONS MARRIED ELSEWHERE.  The law of this state applies to persons married elsewhere who are domiciled in this state.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, Sec. 1, eff. April 17, 1997.

Sec. 1.104.  CAPACITY OF SPOUSE.  Except as expressly provided by statute or by the constitution, a person, regardless of age, who has been married in accordance with the law of this state has the capacity and power of an adult, including the capacity to contract.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, Sec. 1, eff. April 17, 1997.

Sec. 1.105.  JOINDER IN CIVIL SUITS.  (a)  A spouse may sue and be sued without the joinder of the other spouse.

(b)  When claims or liabilities are joint and several, the spouses may be joined under the rules relating to joinder of parties generally.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, Sec. 1, eff. April 17, 1997.

Sec. 1.106.  CRIMINAL CONVERSATION NOT AUTHORIZED.  A right of action by one spouse against a third party for criminal conversation is not authorized in this state.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, Sec. 1, eff. April 17, 1997.

Sec. 1.107.  ALIENATION OF AFFECTION NOT AUTHORIZED.  A right of action by one spouse against a third party for alienation of affection is not authorized in this state.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, Sec. 1, eff. April 17, 1997.

Sec. 1.108.  PROMISE OR AGREEMENT MUST BE IN WRITING.  A promise or agreement made on consideration of marriage or nonmarital conjugal cohabitation is not enforceable unless the promise or agreement or a memorandum of the promise or agreement is in writing and signed by the person obligated by the promise or agreement.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, Sec. 1, eff. April 17, 1997.