Texas is one of nine states that is a community property jurisdiction. In general, this means that any property acquired by a couple during their marriage (with a few exceptions) is equally owned by both spouses. This can have a profound effect on the dissolution of property during divorce proceedings. The first page of this guide will provide you with a general overview of community property law in Texas. Subsequent pages will provide information on more specific topics such as debt and property division in a divorce.

Please see the Practice Aids page to access a list of practice aids geared towards attorneys (but also useful for self-represented litigants) that are available at the library.

Below you will find references to areas of the Texas Family Code that govern community property and issues related to community property. If you find these statutes difficult to understand, you may want to look at the “plain English” resources on this page or speak to an attorney.

Because Texas law may not be easy to understand, below you'll find a collection of resources that help to explain the law in “plain English.”

These e-books contain information on issues related to community property. These e-books can be viewed by those who have signed up for a free library account with the State Law Library. Only Texas residents are eligible to sign up. Signing up is free

These print books at the State Law Library contain information on issues related to community property. If you are not able to visit the State Law Library in Austin, these books might be available at a law library near you or a public library near you.