Every once in a while, a bill comes before the Texas legislature that attempts to modify divorce laws. Sometimes these potential changes come from activities in the courts, nationwide legislation or constitutional issues.
Alternatively, some legislation that comes up is due to social or political pressure on lawmakers. Bills in this category often require a great deal of constituent support in order for them to have a chance of passing into law. Here is an example of one such divorce bill.
KXAN NBC Austin reported on a divorce bill that would have made it more difficult to obtain a divorce. It would have ended the no-fault divorce system in many situations. In the current atmosphere, those who file for divorce often get what they want — dissolution of marriage. However, depending on the filer’s role, divorce may come with several compromises:
- Support payments
- Property division
- Custody sharing
The bill in question never made it to law. Psychology Today has one insight into why the failure of the proposed new divorce law may have occurred. Making divorce easy could be compatible with the way most of contemporary society views marriage: As an emotional partnership rather than a business agreement intertwining the assets of two families.
Psychology Today argues that the idea of marriage changed around the same time as the industrial revolution. It became more of a romantic union and less of a way of preserving family property. However, the old realities could still apply for those who have high-asset divorces with children, family land, heirlooms and inheritances. People considering divorce with these types of assets usually must still consider the potential for the upheaval of personal property and the reduction of hereditary estates.
