Lake Jackson, TX Divorce Law Firms & Lawyers

If a new attorney substitutes in on a case, that new attorney takes the case in whatever status it is in at the time.   That said, the new attorney is free to file amended pleadings to potentially change the issues in the case.  Motions to substitute counsel are routinely granted by the court.

That is a complicated question.  The State of Texas operates under a community property presumption, which means that anything purchased during the marriage is presumed to be community property unless proven otherwise by a party.  It wouldn't matter whether your husband put the property only in his name or in both of your names because the fact that it was purchased during marriage would imply that it is community property.  If your husband has separate assets and purchases the home with those separate assets and he can prove those facts, then it would be beneficial for you to have the home in your name as well for a variety of reasons that are too numerous to list here.  The Court will divide all community property equitably, which may mean half and half, or it may mean something different.  The first question will be whether the home is community property, then, if it is community, the Court will determine how to equitably divide the house and all the other assets.

The proper way to contest personal jurisdiction in the divorce suit is for you to file what is called a Special Appearance.   In it you can claim that you do not have sufficient contacts with Texas for the State to exercise jurisdiction over you.  There are exceptions.   For example, if you were a resident of Texas when you were married and then moved out of state in conjunction with your husband's orders, then Texas considers you to remain a Texas resident for divorce purposes.   One other point:  Your husband's claim that you will get nothing in Texas is simply wrong.   Among other things, you will be entitled to a pro-rata portion of his military retirement (assuming that he makes it to 20 years).  In addition, Texas values assets like retirement as of the date of divorce whereas California values them as of the date of separation.   Therefore, you would be entitled to slightly more retired pay if you divorce in Texas.