Tex. Codes » Family Code · TITLE 5. THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AND THE SUIT AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP · SUBTITLE B. SUITS AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP · CHAPTER 153. CONSERVATORSHIP, POSSESSION, AND ACCESS
Texas Codes

Tex. Fam. Code § 153.002 (2026)

Best Interest Of Child; Rebuttable Presumption In Suit Between Parent And Nonparent

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Sec. 153.002. BEST INTEREST OF CHILD; REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION IN SUIT BETWEEN PARENT AND NONPARENT. (a) The best interest of the child shall always be the primary consideration of the court in determining the issues of conservatorship and possession of and access to the child.

(b) In a suit between a parent and a nonparent, it is a rebuttable presumption that:

(1) a parent acts in the best interest of the parent's child; and

(2) it is in the best interest of a child to be in the care, custody, and control of a parent.

(c) In a suit between a parent and a nonparent, the nonparent may overcome the presumption under Subsection (b) by proving by clear and convincing evidence that denial of the relief requested by the nonparent would significantly impair the child's physical health or emotional development. If the court renders an order in the suit granting relief to the nonparent, the court shall state in the order:

(1) the specific facts that support the court's finding that denying the relief requested by the nonparent would significantly impair the child's physical health or emotional development; and

(2) the extent to which the nonparent has overcome the presumption under Subsection (b).

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.

Amended by:

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 236 (S.B. 2052), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 710 cases (176 in the last 5 years), 1996–2026 · leading case: Zeifman v. Michels, 212 S.W.3d 582 (Tex. App.—Austin 2006).
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Zeifman v. Michels, 212 S.W.3d 582 (Tex. App.—Austin 2006). · cites it 3× “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.002 (West 2002).”
In re Lee, 411 S.W.3d 445 (Tex. 2013). · cites it 3× “” Tex. Fam.Code § 153.002 (emphasis added).”
Martinez v. Martinez, 157 S.W.3d 467 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2004). · cites it 6× “TEX. FAM. CODE § 153.002; Lowe, 971 S.W.2d at 725 .”
In re Interest of J.J.G., 540 S.W.3d 44 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2017). · cites it 3× “" TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.002 (West 2014).”
In the Interest of J.R.D. & T.C.D., 169 S.W.3d 740 (Tex. App.—Austin 2005). · cites it 3× “Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 153.002 (2002) (“The best interest of the child shall always be the primary consideration of the court in determining the issues of conservatorship and possession of and access to the child.”
In re Harrison, 557 S.W.3d 99 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2018). · cites it 2× “See Tex. Fam. Code § 153.002. Conservatorship, access, and possession of the Harrison children have been matters of debate since October 2006, when Cliff initially filed for divorce from Connie.”
In re Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 273 S.W.3d 637 (Tex. 2009). · cites it 2× “1980) ("[A] litigant may refile an action that has been dismissed for want of prosecution, since the merits of such an action remain undecided."). [22] In re Ruiz, 16 S.W.3d 921, 927 (Tex.”
In the Interest of M.S., 115 S.W.3d 534 (Tex. 2003). “, Tex. Fam.Code §§ 153.002, 161.001(2), 263.”
Harris v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 228 S.W.3d 819 (Tex. App.—Austin 2007). · cites it 4× “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.002; Doyle v. Doyle, 955 S.”
Newell v. Newell, 349 S.W.3d 717 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2011). · cites it 4× “" Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.002 (West 2008); Lenz v.”
In the Interest of Walters, 39 S.W.3d 280 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2001). · cites it 2× “Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 153.002 (Vernon 1996).”
Gardner v. Gardner, 229 S.W.3d 747 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2007). · cites it 2× “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.002 (Vernon 2002).”
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Tex. Fam. Code § 153.002(a): 7 cases
In the Interest of S.I.S.F., a Child v. ., No. 04-24-00799-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio Jan. 28, 2026).
In the Interest of J.R.J., a Child v. the State of Texas, No. 06-25-00008-CV (Tex. App.—Texarkana Oct. 21, 2025).
In the Interest of K.W., a Child v. the State of Texas, No. 04-24-00831-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio Nov. 12, 2025).
In the Interest of B.P.-R., a Child v. the State of Texas, No. 07-25-00228-CV (Tex. App.—Amarillo Jan. 21, 2026).
In re Richard Haddad v. the State of Texas, No. 04-25-00484-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio Feb. 25, 2026).
Tex. Fam. Code § 153.002(b): 1 case
In re M.S. v. the State of Texas, No. 02-26-00016-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Mar. 27, 2026).
Tex. Fam. Code § 153.002(c)(1)(D): 2 cases
In the Interest of S. H. & K. H., Child., 590 S.W.3d 588 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2019).
In the Interest of A.I.M. & A.I.M. v. the State of Texas, No. 01-22-00409-CV (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 28, 2023).
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