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Bill

HB 1916

Relating to the jurisdiction of a court in a suit to divide certain property not divided or awarded on the dissolution of a marriage.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Pat Curry and 4 co-sponsors

Texas HB 1916 grants courts jurisdiction to divide marital property omitted from original divorce decrees, effective September 1, 2025.

Effective on 9/1/25
#divorce(s3940) #family--marriagerelationship(i0350) #propertyinterests--personalproperty(i0600) #propertyinterests--realproperty(i0595)
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Bill Summary · HB 1916

Legislative bill overview

HB 1916 expands court jurisdiction in Texas to allow suits for dividing marital property that was not divided during the original divorce proceedings. Previously, courts had limited ability to address property division issues after a divorce was finalized. This bill gives courts clearer authority to resolve these remaining property disputes.

Why is this important

Many divorces leave certain assets or debts unresolved or improperly categorized, creating ongoing financial disputes between ex-spouses. Without clear jurisdiction, parties faced expensive litigation or had no legal recourse to fairly divide overlooked property. This bill provides a mechanism to settle these disputes without requiring a new divorce case.

Potential points of contention

  • Reopening old cases: Critics may argue this allows indefinite reopening of finalized divorces, creating uncertainty and prolonging conflicts between former spouses
  • Timing concerns: The bill doesn't specify time limits for filing such suits, potentially allowing claims decades after divorce is finalized
  • Complexity in already-litigated matters: Courts may struggle distinguishing between property genuinely overlooked versus property intentionally left unresolved by prior agreement

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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