How Partition In Texas Works. Texas law provides each co-owner of real property with an absolute right to have their property partitioned through a forced judicial sale. Texas courts are required to partition property even if only one co-owner makes such a request, and the courts have no wiggle room or discretion.
In Texas, disputes involving jointly owned property are frequently settled through a legal process known as “partition.” When co-owners of a home cannot agree on matters relating to the home, the court can force the sale of the real property and distribute the proceeds of the sale to the co-owners per their ownership ...
Separate Property The exceptions to community property are funds or things that are: Owned by one spouse before the date of marriage. Inherited by one spouse before, during or after the marriage. Gifted to one spouse.
Under Texas law, spouses can enter into partition or exchange agreements in which one spouse transfers all or part of their present or soon-to-be-acquired community property to the other, thereby transmuting it into the separate property of the receiving spouse.
There are two potential pathways in seeking a partition: Partitions may be in kind (meaning that property is divided into separate parcels and each parcel is allotted to a separate owner) or by sale (meaning that property is sold and sale proceeds are divided among the owners).
Converting Community Property: Partition Agreements In Texas, this is done via a written agreement establishing a partition or exchange between the parties. A partition or exchange agreement is much like a prenuptial agreement, but it can be executed at any time during the marriage.
Code § 4.102. Current with legislation from the 2023 Regular and Special Sessions signed by the Governor as of November 21, 2023. At any time, the spouses may partition or exchange between themselves all or part of their community property, then existing or to be acquired, as the spouses may desire.
Even if only one spouse's name is on the deed, any property bought during the marriage is presumed to be community property, unless it was bought with separate property funds. The spouse claiming it as separate property must prove it in court.
The parties acknowledge that, to convert additional separate property of either party into com- munity property, the parties must prepare and sign a separate written instrument. This agreement may be enforced by suit in law or equity by either of the parties or by their heirs, executors, attorneys, or assigns.
Texas presumes property acquired during marriage is community property, but exceptions exist for separate property owned before marriage or received as gifts. Inheritances remain separate property if not commingled with community assets. Keep inheritances in a separate account to maintain their status.