Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

Re: Signed Divorce Papers

You have sixty days after the petition is filed to change the petition for divorce and enter into any agreements, then you can request a hearing or show up in court if it is a noncontested divorce. Once the divorce decree is signed before a judge by both parties, you have thirty days to request a motion for new trial to challenge the divorce decree that has been signed.

Re: Signed Divorce Papers

You might be confusing two different provisions.

You cannot obtain a divorce until 60 days after it is filed.

The divorce itself is not final for 30 days after the judge signs and enters it. The judge has 30 days to grant a new trial or to make modifications of the prior order. After 30 days the judge has no power over the divorce (unless something happened in the interim, such as a motion for new trial, which will extend the deadline.

You can file a new suit to modify provisions having to do with child conservatorship, possession, or support at any time until the child becomes an adult. There are certain standards for bringing such a suit and you should discuss these with a family law attorney.

In rare cases (such as ones involving fraud) an action can be brought later.