The bill amends Section 6.202(b) of the Family Code regarding the validity of certain marriages that may initially be considered void. It specifies that a later marriage becomes valid after the dissolution of a prior marriage if the parties have lived together and represented themselves as married, unless a putative spouse did not know about the existing marriage and files a suit to declare the later marriage void within two years of becoming aware of the situation. This introduces new conditions under which a marriage can be validated despite prior void status.

Additionally, the bill adds a new Subchapter E to Chapter 9 of the Family Code, which addresses the declaration of a decree void due to lack of jurisdiction. It states that a divorce or annulment decree is void if the court lacked jurisdiction at the time of rendering the decree, and it allows a putative spouse to file a suit to declare such a decree void. This provision aims to clarify the legal standing of decrees issued without proper jurisdiction and provides a mechanism for affected parties to seek redress.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Family Code 6.202 (Family Code 6)