Monthly Archives: April 2012

I Want A Divorce! But How Do I Know If I Am Common Law Married?

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Mary E. Ramos

How do I know if I am common law married?

In order to obtain a divorce in Texas, a Court must determine that there is in fact the existence of a marriage. If the parties were not married the “traditional” way and granted a marriage license, then the only way to get a divorce is to prove to the Court that you are common law married.

Texas recognizes informal marriages and the Texas Family Code has a provision which governs the existence of such marriages. There are two ways to prove the existence of a common law marriage, by formal documentation or by evidence presented to a court.

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So You Were Awarded Child Support In Texas. What next?

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Mary E. Ramos

So you were awarded child support. What next?

If you are the party awarded child support in Texas, you will understandably want to know when and how you will begin receiving child support payments. This is a multistep process as outlined below.

First, some basic information and terminology. The party awarded child support is known as the Obligee. The party ordered to pay child support is known as the Obligor. All child support payments must be paid to the Child Support Disbursement Unit located in San Antonio. Your final decree or order has a paragraph which states that any informal payments do not constitute as child support. If the money is not paid directly to the Disbursement Unit it is not being counted by the State as child support and the Obligor could be held in contempt for nonpayment. It is very important that all child support payments go through the State first.

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