Robert Gradel,
Attorney At Law, Lampasas, Texas
A Lawyer Specializing in Family Law

ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION FOR DUMMIES
(SPECIFICALLY, FAMILY AND PROBATE LAWYERS)
ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION - TITLE ONE, SUBCHAPTER E TEXAS FAMILY CODE

(Continued from Economic Contribution Examples)

SUGGESTED LANGUAGE FOR PLEADINGS

The following language is taken from the Texas Family Practice Manual, 2nd edition.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

The community estate has expended funds or assets to make capital improvements on property claimed by Respondent as separate property, giving rise to a claim for economic contribution in favor of the community estate and against Respondent's separate estate. Petitioner requests the Court to grant Petitioner's claim for economic contribution, order a division of the claim to Petitioner, and, if necessary, impose an equitable lien on Respondent's separate estate or any other property awarded to Respondent to secure the claim.

AND/OR

Petitioner's separate estate has expended funds or assets to make capital improvements on community property, giving rise to a claim for economic contribution in favor of Petitioner's separate estate and against the community estate. Petitioner requests the Court to grant Petitioner's claim for economic contribution and, if necessary, impose an equitable lien on the community estate to secure the claim.

AND/OR

Petitioner's separate estate has expended funds or assets to make capital improvements on property claimed by Respondent as separate property, giving rise to a claim for economic contribution in favor of Petitioner's separate estate and against the Respondent's separate estate. Petitioner requests the Court to grant Petitioner's claim for economic contribution and, if necessary, impose an equitable lien on respondent's separate estate or any other property awarded to Respondent to secure the claim.

REDUCTION OF SECURED DEBT

Respondent is or was obligated on[a] debt[s] secured by[a] lien[s] on property claimed by Respondent as separate property. The community estate has expended funds or assets for payment of [that/those] debt[s]. Those expenditures have resulted in the reduction of the principal of [that/those] debt[s], giving rise to a claim for economic contribution in favor of the community estate and against Respondent's separate estate. Petitioner requests the Court to grant Petitioner's claim for economic contribution, order a division of the claim to Petitioner, and, if necessary, impose an equitable lien on the Respondent's separate estate or any other property awarded to Respondent to secure the claim.

AND/OR

The community estate is or was obligated on[a] debt[s] secured by[a] lien[s] on community property. Petitioner's separate estate has expended funds or assets for payment of [that/those] debt[s]. Those expenditures have resulted in the reduction of the principal of [that/those] debt[s], giving rise to a claim for economic contribution in favor of Petitioner's separate estate and against the community estate. Petitioner requests the Court to grant Petitioner's claim for economic contribution and, if necessary, impose an equitable lien on the community estate to secure the claim.

AND/OR

Respondent is or was obligated on[a] debt[s] secured by[a] lien[s] on property claimed by Respondent as separate property. Petitioner's separate estate has expended funds or assets for payment of [that/those] debt[s]. Those expenditures have resulted in the reduction of the principal of [that/those] debt[s], giving rise to a claim for economic contribution in favor of Petitioner's separate estate and against Respondent's separate estate. Petitioner requests the Court to grant Petitioner's claim for economic contribution and, if necessary, impose an equitable lien on the Respondent's separate estate or any other property awarded to Respondent to secure the claim.

Economic Contribution for Dummies Continued (Decree Language)