Compulsory joinder in a Texas divorce case requires that certain parties be included in the lawsuit if their absence would prevent complete relief among the existing parties or if their interest in the case might lead to inconsistent obligations for the other parties. For example, if a nonparty, such as a parent who owns an interest in marital property, could be affected by the outcome of the divorce, they may need to be joined in the case.
If a party that should be joined cannot be added to the case, the court must determine whether the case should proceed without them or be dismissed. This decision involves considering factors like potential prejudice to the absent party and whether the case can be adequately resolved without them.
Understanding when and how to apply compulsory joinder is important for ensuring that all relevant parties are involved in the divorce proceedings and that the final judgment addresses all necessary issues.