Texas law presents specific considerations when a dissolution of marriage is sought and the wife is pregnant. The status of pregnancy introduces complexities surrounding the determination of paternity and the establishment of child support obligations, potentially influencing the timing and process of the divorce. A court typically cannot finalize a divorce if the wife is pregnant.
This legal restriction protects the interests of the unborn child and ensures the establishment of legal parentage. By delaying finalization until after the child’s birth, the court can accurately determine paternity and issue orders regarding custody, visitation, and financial support, safeguarding the child’s welfare. Historically, this protection stemmed from the desire to prevent children from being born outside of legally recognized marriages without established parental responsibilities.