Tex. Codes » Family Code · TITLE 1. THE MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP · SUBTITLE C. DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE · CHAPTER 6. SUIT FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE
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Tex. Fam. Code § 6.701 (2026)

Failure To Answer

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Sec. 6.701. FAILURE TO ANSWER. In a suit for divorce, the petition may not be taken as confessed if the respondent does not file an answer.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, Sec. 1, eff. April 17, 1997.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 69 cases (19 in the last 5 years), 1998–2026 · leading case: Fuentes v. Zaragoza, 555 S.W.3d 141 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2018).
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Fuentes v. Zaragoza, 555 S.W.3d 141 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2018). · cites it 2× “See TEX. FAM. CODE § 6.701. Accordingly, a trial court abuses its discretion in dividing the community estate based on the respondent's default where the record does not support the valuation and division of the estate.”
Lynch v. Lynch, 540 S.W.3d 107 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2017). “" TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 6.701 (West 2006). "Therefore, when the respondent fails to file an answer, the petitioner must adduce proof to support the material allegations in the petition.”
Williams v. Williams, 150 S.W.3d 436 (Tex. App.—Austin 2004). “2d at 83 (holding that court rendering default judgment must hear evidence of unliqui-dated damages); Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 6.701 (West 2002) (if respondent fails to answer in divorce suit, petition may not be taken as confessed); Considine v.”
In re Marriage of Seals, 83 S.W.3d 870 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2002). · cites it 2× “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 6.701 (Vernon 1998); O'Neal v.”
Sandone v. Miller-Sandone, 116 S.W.3d 204 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2003). “Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 6.701 (Vernon 1998). The statute requires the petitioner to present proof to support the material allegations in the petition despite a respondent’s failure to answer.”
Wilson v. Wilson, 132 S.W.3d 533 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2004). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 6.701 (Vernon 1998); see Sandone, 116 S.”
Agraz v. Carnley, 143 S.W.3d 547 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2004). “” Tex Fam.Code Ann. § 6.701 (Vernon 1998). Thus, if a respondent in a divorce case fails to answer or appear, the petitioner must present evidence to support the material allegations in the petition.”
Miles v. Peacock, 229 S.W.3d 384 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2007). “Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 6.701 (Vernon 2006); Wilson v.”
Vazquez v. Vazquez, 292 S.W.3d 80 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2007). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 6.701 (Vernon 1998).”
Juan Ayala v. Blanca Edit Ayala, 387 S.W.3d 721 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2011). “3d at 83 (citing Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 6.701 (Vernon 1998)).”
Osteen v. Osteen, 38 S.W.3d 809 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2001). “Tex.Fam. Code Ann. § 6.701 (Vernon 1998).”
O'Neal v. O'Neal, 69 S.W.3d 347 (Tex. App.—Eastland 2002). “TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 6.701 (Vernon 1998) provides: “In a suit for divorce, the petition may not be taken as confessed if the respondent does not file an answer.”
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