Sec. 6.702. WAITING PERIOD. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (c), the court may not grant a divorce before the 60th day after the date the suit was filed. A decree rendered in violation of this subsection is not subject to collateral attack.
(b) A waiting period is not required before a court may grant an annulment or declare a marriage void other than as required in civil cases generally.
(c) A waiting period is not required under Subsection (a) before a court may grant a divorce in a suit in which the court finds that:
(1) the respondent has been finally convicted of or received deferred adjudication for an offense involving family violence as defined by Section 71.004 against the petitioner or a member of the petitioner's household; or
(2) the petitioner has an active protective order under Title 4 or an active magistrate's order for emergency protection under Article 17.292, Code of Criminal Procedure, based on a finding of family violence, against the respondent because of family violence committed during the marriage.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, Sec. 1, eff. April 17, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 896 (H.B. 72), Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.
Structure Texas Statutes
Title 1 - The Marriage Relationship
Subtitle C - Dissolution of Marriage
Chapter 6 - Suit for Dissolution of Marriage
Subchapter H. Trial and Appeal
Section 6.701. Failure to Answer
Section 6.704. Testimony of Husband or Wife
Section 6.705. Testimony by Marriage Counselor
Section 6.707. Transfers and Debts Pending Decree
Section 6.708. Costs; Attorney's Fees and Expenses
Section 6.709. Temporary Orders During Appeal
Section 6.710. Notice of Final Decree