The Texas Court of Appeals has upheld a divorce decree involving Sherry Ann Kreiling and Derrie James Kreiling, affirming the trial court's decisions regarding child custody and property division. This ruling, made on August 28, 2026, impacts the couple's two children and clarifies the legal standards for divorce cases in Texas.
Sherry, who represented herself in the appeal, contested several aspects of the divorce decree issued by the trial court. The court's decision is significant as it reinforces the importance of consent in divorce proceedings and the discretion of trial courts in determining child custody arrangements.
Background
Sherry and Derrie Kreiling married in 2001 and had two children together. In May 2021, Sherry filed for divorce, and Derrie countered with his own petition. By the time the case reached trial on June 3, 2025, both parties had largely settled their divorce, but three key issues remained unresolved: geographic restrictions on custody, attorney’s fees, and spousal maintenance.
During the trial, the court found that the marriage had become insupportable due to conflicts between the couple. The judge approved the agreements made regarding the children and property division but denied Sherry's requests for spousal support and imposed a geographic restriction for the children's residence. After the trial, Sherry's attorney withdrew, and she proceeded without legal representation.
The Ruling
The Texas Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's decree, rejecting Sherry's four arguments against it. The judges noted that the trial court had rendered a final judgment on June 3, 2025, before Sherry attempted to revoke her consent to the agreement. The court stated, "We conclude that the trial court rendered judgment on June 3 prior to Sherry’s attempt to revoke consent and that any attempt to revoke consent was consequently untimely."
Additionally, the court found that Sherry had not shown any abuse of discretion by the trial court regarding the conservatorship provisions. The judges noted that Sherry had agreed to joint managing conservatorship during the trial, which limited her ability to contest the decision later. The court emphasized, "A party cannot attack a judgment that the party approved or induced absent an allegation and proof of fraud, collusion, or misrepresentation."
Impact
This ruling has important implications for future divorce cases in Texas, particularly regarding the enforcement of agreements made during divorce proceedings. The court's affirmation of the trial court's decisions reinforces the principle that once an agreement is reached and approved by both parties, it is difficult to contest later without substantial evidence of wrongdoing.
The decision also highlights the trial court's discretion in determining child custody arrangements, especially in cases involving allegations of family violence. The court's ruling suggests that a single incident of violence does not automatically disqualify a parent from joint custody, as long as the trial court finds that the best interest of the child is served.
What's Next
Sherry Kreiling has the option to appeal the decision to a higher court, but details on whether she intends to do so were not available in the court filing. There are currently no related cases pending that could affect this ruling.