Chambers County, TX Divorce Law Firms & Lawyers

Texas is one of the few states that acknowledges common law marriage. You are actually entitled to a divorce and a division of any assets you two may have purchased together during the marriage (house, cars, retirement benefits, etc.) It is my hope that you have separated and that you are somewhere safe and away from him if he is abusive. Also, you did not mention if you have any children, but if you do, you would be entitled to certain rights and benefits as it pertains to them. You two may not have been formally married, but that doesn't stop you from pursuing a divorce and the rights associated with any community property you two may have. 

In Texas, any property acquired during the marriage is deemed community property.  During a divorce, a court applies a "just and right" division of the property.  This doesnt mean 50/50, the court can split the community property 60/40, 70/30. The court applies factors in making this "just and right" division.  If your wife filed for divorce, then sold the house while the divorce is pending, you can claim that she commited "fraud on the estate" and seek to be reinbursed for your community share of the family home.