How to Write the First Part of a Texas Divorce Decree

There are 7 parts needed at the beginning of your divorce decree:

Part 1: The date on which the case was heard.  This is the date that the divorce is granted.

Part 2: The Appearance statement.  This is the paragraphs that lists the people that appeared at the hearing.

Part 3: Jurisdiction and Domicile.  This is the Courts findings that it had the right to hear the lawsuit.

Part 4: Jury:  This is a statement that the right to have a jury trial has been waived by the parties, unless it hasn’t been waived.

Part 5: Statement of Divorce. This is perhaps the most important line in the case and is the statement that is proof that the parties have been divorce.d

Part 6: This is the statement listing whether there were children born of the marriage.

This is the beginning of a Texas Divorce Decree, Showing Sections 1-6, respectively:

 On _________________________ the Court heard this case.

Appearances

Petitioner, {$spouse1}, appeared in person and through attorney of record, Megan V. Cook, and announced ready for trial.

Respondent, {$spouse2}, has made a general appearance and has agreed to the terms of this judgment to the extent permitted by law, as evidenced by Respondent’s signature below.

Record

The making of a record of testimony was waived by the parties with the consent of the Court.

Jurisdiction and Domicile

The Court finds that the pleadings of Petitioner are in due form and contain all the allegations, information, and prerequisites required by law.  The Court, after receiving evidence, finds that it has jurisdiction of this case and of all the parties and that at least sixty days have elapsed since the date the suit was filed.

The Court further finds that, at the time this suit was filed, {$petitionerorrespondent} had been a domiciliary of Texas for the preceding six-month period and a resident of the county in which this suit was filed for the preceding ninety-day period. All persons entitled to citation have waived service by entry of general appearance herein.

Jury

A jury was waived, and questions of fact and of law were submitted to the Court.

Agreement of Parties

The Court finds that the parties have entered into a written agreement as contained in this decree by virtue of having approved this decree as to both form and substance.  To the extent permitted by law, the parties stipulate the agreement is enforceable as a contract.  The Court approves the agreement of the parties as contained in this Final Decree of Divorce.

Divorce

IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED that {$spouse1}, the Petitioner, is granted a divorce from{spouse2}, the Respondent, and the marriage between them is dissolved on the grounds of insupportability.

Child of the Marriage

The Court finds that there is no living minor child, either born or adopted of Petitioner and Respondent and that none is expected.

If you were to cut and paste the above language, you would have the first page of your decree of divorce ready to go.