“Minimum contacts” refer to the necessary connection a nonresident spouse must have with Texas for the state’s courts to exercise personal jurisdiction over them in a divorce case. The concept ensures that a person isn’t subject to the jurisdiction of a state court without having meaningful ties to that state. For Texas courts to assert jurisdiction, the nonresident spouse must have purposefully engaged in activities within Texas that relate to the divorce, such as owning property, residing in the state for a significant period, or conducting business there.
If the nonresident spouse has such minimum contacts, Texas courts can address issues like property division, spousal support, and child custody. Without these contacts, the court’s jurisdiction may be limited to dissolving the marriage only. Understanding and establishing minimum contacts is crucial for anyone seeking a full resolution of divorce-related matters in Texas, especially when one spouse lives out of state.