89R11454 AMF-F     By: Dutton H.B. No. 2971       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to an agreed divorce order in a suit for dissolution of a   marriage.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 6, Family Code, is amended by adding   Subchapter G-1 to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER G-1. AGREED DIVORCE ORDER          Sec. 6.631.  AGREED DIVORCE ORDER. (a) Notwithstanding any   other law, a court with jurisdiction over a suit for dissolution of   a marriage may adopt as the court's final decree, without requiring   that the parties to the suit testify or appear in person before the   court, a written divorce agreement submitted by a party if:                (1)  the agreement:                       (A)  includes:                            (i)  the signature of each party approving   the form and substance of the agreement;                            (ii)  the date of marriage and the date of   separation, if applicable;                             (iii)  the grounds for dissolution of the   marriage;                            (iv)  a characterization of the parties'   assets as separate or community property;                            (v)  a proposed just and right division of   the community property of the marriage;                            (vi)  if there is any child born or adopted   of the marriage:                                  (a)  a written agreed parenting plan in   accordance with Section 153.007; and                                   (b)  an agreement concerning child   support in accordance with Section 154.124; and                            (vii)  provisions for maintenance, if   applicable, or a statement that the parties agree that maintenance   should not be awarded; and                      (B)  is accompanied by an affidavit or unsworn   declaration of one or both parties containing the necessary facts   or evidence to support the terms of the agreement, including:                             (i)  a statement that the proposed division   of the community property is a just and right division of the   community property of the marriage;                             (ii)  if the agreement contains provisions   affecting the parent-child relationship:                                  (a)  the identity of any child,   including the child's name and age; and                                  (b)  a statement that the terms of the   agreement are in the best interest of each child; and                             (iii)  if the agreement does not contain   provisions affecting the parent-child relationship, a statement   that there are no children born or adopted of the marriage and none   are expected; and                (2)  neither party has filed a written objection   opposing the adoption of the agreement as the final decree.          (b)  If the court finds that the terms of the agreement are   just and right and in the best interest of each child, if   applicable, the court shall approve the agreement. If the court   approves the agreement, the court may set forth the agreement in   full or incorporate the agreement by reference in the final decree.           (c)  If the court finds that the terms of the agreement are   not just and right or in the best interest of each child, if   applicable, the court shall continue the case for appropriate   proceedings.           (d)  An agreement adopted by a court under this section is   binding on the parties.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter G-1, Chapter 6, Family Code, as added   by this Act, applies to a suit for dissolution of a marriage that is   pending in a trial court on the effective date of this Act or that is   filed on or after the effective date of this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.