Family Law Attorney
Kingwood & Atascocita, Texas

In Kingwood, a high-asset divorce usually features one or more of these elements: high-value real estate such as custom homes and waterfront properties; executive or energy industry compensation including RSUs, deferred pay, bonuses, and pension plans; country club or golf memberships that carry transferable value; business ownership or an interest in a professional practice; significant retirement accounts that call for QDROs; or investment portfolios that have appreciated over many years.

Texas imposes a mandatory 60-day waiting period once you file. Beyond that, the timeline turns on how complicated the case is:

• Uncontested (agreed on all terms): 60–120 days
• Contested — moderate complexity: 6–12 months
• High-asset with executive compensation, business, or real estate: 12–24 months
• Highly contested with multiple complex assets: 2+ years

Executive compensation that builds up over the course of the marriage is generally community property. The main issues to watch include:

• RSUs and stock options — how they are characterized turns on the grant date and vesting schedule, not the date received
• Deferred compensation — it must be spelled out in the divorce decree or the non-employee spouse may forfeit their share
• Annual bonuses — bonuses earned during the marriage are community property no matter when they are paid
• Retirement plans — a QDRO is needed to divide them without triggering taxes or penalties

Real property bought during the marriage with community funds is community property and is subject to just and right division. Frequent results include one spouse buying out the other’s equity, a court-ordered sale with the proceeds split, or a deferred sale while children remain in Humble ISD. Separate property down payments can sometimes be traced — but require documentation.

Country club and golf club memberships that were bought or kept up with community funds during the marriage are generally community property in Texas and subject to just and right division. The analysis involves:

• Transferability — can the membership be transferred to a third party, or only to an immediate family member?
• Current market value — what would a buyer pay for the membership today?
• Source of funds — was the initiation fee covered by separate or community funds?
• Ongoing dues — were the monthly dues paid from community income during the marriage?

In Kingwood, where a Kingwood Country Club or Golf Club of Kingwood membership can hold substantial value, this is a real asset that has to be dealt with directly — not overlooked.

Harris County family courts decide custody under the best interest of the child standard set out in TFC §153.002 — weighing how involved each parent is day to day, the stability of each home, the child’s current relationships, any record of family violence or substance abuse, and how willing each parent is to encourage the child’s bond with the other parent. When a child is 12 or older, the court will also take that child’s stated preference into account. Texas law is gender-neutral — fathers and mothers are judged on equal footing.

Humble ISD covers all of Kingwood and ranks among the most respected school districts in the Houston area. Whichever parent is designated to establish the child’s primary residence decides which school the child attends. Because of that, Humble ISD’s particular campus feeder patterns and attendance zones often take center stage in Kingwood custody proceedings — especially when a parent wants to move outside the geographic restriction area.

The Expanded Standard Possession Order (ESPO) under TFC §153.317 awards the noncustodial parent considerably more time. Weekend possession starts when school lets out Friday instead of at 6:00 PM and runs until school resumes Monday morning. Under TFC §153.3171 the Expanded SPO must be elected in writing at or within 30 days of the final order — it is not automatic. Miss that window and you are locked into the Standard SPO for good.

Under TFC §154.125, Texas child support is set using guideline percentages of the paying parent’s monthly net resources: 1 child — 20%, 2 children — 25%, 3 children — 30%, 4 children — 35%, 5 or more — 40%. Per TFC §154.062, net resources are counted on the first $9,200 per month. In high-income Kingwood cases, courts can order above-guideline support when the child’s proven needs go beyond what the guidelines cover.

Yes. Once the paying parent’s net resources go above $9,200 per month, a court may add support tied to the child’s proven needs — such as private school tuition, extracurricular activities, the family’s established standard of living, and medical care. In high-income Kingwood households, above-guideline support is a significant and often litigated issue.

In Texas, child support usually ends when the child turns 18 or graduates from high school — whichever comes later. Where a child has a physical or mental disability, support can continue past age 18 under TFC §154.302.