To file for divorce in Texas, either the petitioner or the respondent must have lived in Texas for at least six months and in the county where the suit is filed for at least ninety days. Owning property in Texas alone does not meet this requirement.
Temporary absences from the county during the ninety-day period do not affect your residency status. Additionally, military personnel stationed outside of Texas do not lose their domicile in Texas and can still file for divorce there.
Meeting these residency requirements is essential for the court to have the authority to hear your case. If there’s a question about whether you meet these requirements, a plea in abatement can be filed to challenge the court’s jurisdiction.