How Does it Differ from a Divorce Decree? When Would the Parties Want to Enter into an AID?
Divorce proceedings can get messy. Unfortunately, all documents filed with or issued by the court in a Texas divorce are a matter of public record, available to any Texas resident. There is a way, however, that you can keep the details of a divorce private. It’s through a document commonly referred to as an “agreement incident to divorce,” or AID. What is an agreement incident to divorce in Texas? How does it differ from other documents filed with the court? How can it keep the details of your divorce from prying eyes?
What is an Agreement Incident to Divorce?
Though overall divorce rates have dropped by almost a third in the last 20 years, there were still nearly ¾ of a million divorce petitions filed in 2024. In Texas, as in all other states, the complaint and any other documents filed with the court are accessible by the general public, as are any orders issues by the court. For parties who don’t want a public record of the details of their marital strife, there’s the option to enter into an agreement incident to divorce.
How Does an AID Work?
Unlike the divorce complaint, the answer and other pleadings, an agreement incident to divorce is essentially a private contract that sets forth the details of a divorce proceeding. While court documents may reference the AID, the AID is never entered into the public record and is therefore not available to members of the general public.
Contact DTX Family Law for Comprehensive Counsel in a Texas Divorce
At DTX Family Law, we built our successful practice by always putting our clients’ needs first. We know that the legal process can be complex and confusing, and we’ll carefully explain your rights and options, as well as your chances of success, so that you can make good decisions for you and your family. Chrysandra is board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, an honor earned by less than one of every ten family law attorneys in the state. To schedule an appointment with a proven and effective Texas family lawyer, visit our new website or call our offices at 940-566-0606. We can help you determine whether an agreement incident to divorce is in your best interests and can draft one for you, if necessary.
Handling Divorce and Family Law Matters throughout Denton and the surrounding communities, including Denton, Collin, Wise, Tarrant and Cooke counties, as well as the cities of Flower Mound, Highland Village, Bartonville, Lake Dallas, Corinth, Frisco, Northlake, Trophy Club, Haslet, Justin, Ponder, Coppell, The Colony, Lantana, Argyle, Roanoke, Copper Canyon, Hickory Creek, Lewisville, Little Elm, McKinney, Allen, Princeton, Anna, Lavon, Melissa, Parker, Lavon, Westminster and Weston