Texas Family Code 157.311 – Definitions
Terms Used In Texas Family Code 157.311
- Annuity: A periodic (usually annual) payment of a fixed sum of money for either the life of the recipient or for a fixed number of years. A series of payments under a contract from an insurance company, a trust company, or an individual. Annuity payments are made at regular intervals over a period of more than one full year.
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Counterclaim: A claim that a defendant makes against a plaintiff.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
In this subchapter:
(1) “Account” means:
(A) any type of a demand deposit account, checking or negotiable withdrawal order account, savings account, time deposit account, mutual fund account, certificate of deposit, or any other instrument of deposit in which an individual has a beneficial ownership either in its entirety or on a shared or multiple party basis, including any accrued interest and dividends; and
(B) an insurance policy, including a life insurance policy or annuity contract, in which an individual has a beneficial ownership or against which an individual may file a claim or counterclaim.
(2) “Claimant” means:
(A) the obligee or a private attorney representing the obligee;
(B) the Title IV-D agency providing child support services;
(C) a domestic relations office or local registry; or
(D) an attorney appointed as a friend of the court.
(3) “Court having continuing jurisdiction” is the court of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction in this state or a tribunal of another state having jurisdiction under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act or a substantially similar act.
(4) “Financial institution” has the meaning assigned by 42 U.S.C. § 669a(d)(1) and includes a depository institution, depository institution holding company as defined by 12 U.S.C. § 1813(w), credit union, benefit association, insurance company, mutual fund, and any similar entity authorized to do business in this state.
(5) “Lien” means a child support lien issued in this or another state.