Question:
Which Texas courts are authorized to hear and decide family law cases under Title 1 of the Texas Family Code?
Answer:
Under Section 1.002 of the Texas Family Code, the term “court” refers to the district court, a juvenile court with district court jurisdiction, or any other court explicitly granted jurisdiction over suits under the Family Code. Therefore, family law matters in Texas can be heard by:
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District Courts – These are the primary courts for family law cases, including divorce, custody, support, and protective orders.
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Juvenile Courts with District Court Jurisdiction – These courts can handle certain family-related cases, particularly those involving minors.
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Statutory County Courts or Associate Courts – In some counties, these courts are granted express jurisdiction over family matters by statute, often to handle overflow or specialized issues.
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Family District Courts – In more populous counties, certain district courts are designated specifically as family courts to exclusively handle family law cases.
In summary, jurisdiction lies primarily with district-level courts unless another court is specifically authorized by statute to handle a family law matter.