In Texas, there are two paths to a legally recognized marriage. The most common is a ceremonial marriage. This involves getting a marriage license from a county clerk and then having a ceremony performed by an authorized person, like a judge or a religious leader.

To get a license, both parties must be at least 18 years old, provide proof of identity, and not be currently married to anyone else. After the license is issued, there's a 72-hour waiting period before the ceremony can take place, though this can be waived for active-duty military members.

The second path is an informal marriage, often called a common-law marriage. This doesn't require a license or a ceremony, but it's more than just living together. To be informally married, a couple must meet three specific requirements.

All three elements must be present at the same time. If they are, the marriage is just as legally valid as a ceremonial one.

Just as there are legal rules for starting a marriage, there are rules for ending one. The legal process to end a marriage is called a divorce. Texas is known as a "no-fault" divorce state, which simplifies the process for many couples.

The most common reason given for a divorce in Texas is "insupportability." This is a legal term that means the marriage has broken down due to disagreements or personality conflicts, and there's no reasonable expectation of reconciliation. You don't have to blame anyone; you just state that the relationship can't be fixed.

However, Texas law also allows for fault-based grounds for divorce. While not required, alleging fault can sometimes affect how the court divides the couple's property.

When a divorcing couple has children under 18, the court's main priority is ensuring their well-being. Every decision about custody and visitation is guided by a legal standard called the "best interest of the child."

In Texas, custody is referred to as "conservatorship." The law presumes that naming both parents as "joint managing conservators" is in the child's best interest. This means they share the rights and responsibilities of raising their children. One parent is usually designated as the "primary" conservator, which determines the child's main residence and the parent who receives child support.

A visitation schedule, called a "possession order," outlines when each parent has the children. Texas has a Standard Possession Order that is presumed to be in the child's best interest. It typically gives the non-primary parent possession on the first, third, and fifth weekends of a month, along with alternating holidays and a period in the summer.

After a divorce, financial matters must also be settled. This often includes child support and, in some cases, spousal support. Both are determined by specific legal guidelines.

Child support is a monthly payment made by one parent to the other to help cover the costs of raising a child. The amount is calculated based on a percentage of the paying parent's net monthly income. The percentage depends on the number of children involved.

Spousal support, also known as maintenance, is not as common. It's intended to provide temporary financial assistance to a spouse who lacks sufficient property or ability to support their minimum reasonable needs. A court will only order spousal maintenance if the spouse seeking it meets certain criteria, such as being the victim of family violence or being married for at least 10 years and unable to earn enough income.

Understanding these core principles of marriage, divorce, custody, and support provides a strong foundation for navigating family law matters in Texas.