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 § 153.004 (2026)

History Of Domestic Violence Or Sexual Abuse

✓ current as of May 2026
Find cases: SyfertCases citing this section TX-LEGstatutes.capitol.texas.gov Justiaon Justia CornellLII Search CasesGoogle Scholar

Sec. 153.004. HISTORY OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL ABUSE. (a) In determining whether to appoint a party as a sole or joint managing conservator, the court shall consider evidence of the intentional use of abusive physical force, or evidence of sexual abuse, by a party directed against the party's spouse, a parent of the child, or any person younger than 18 years of age committed within a two-year period preceding the filing of the suit or during the pendency of the suit.

(b) The court may not appoint joint managing conservators if credible evidence is presented of a history or pattern of past or present child neglect, or physical or sexual abuse by one parent directed against the other parent, a spouse, or a child, including a sexual assault in violation of Section 22.011 or 22.021, Penal Code, that results in the other parent becoming pregnant with the child. A history of sexual abuse includes a sexual assault that results in the other parent becoming pregnant with the child, regardless of the prior relationship of the parents. It is a rebuttable presumption that the appointment of a parent as the sole managing conservator of a child or as the conservator who has the exclusive right to determine the primary residence of a child is not in the best interest of the child if credible evidence is presented of a history or pattern of past or present child neglect, or physical or sexual abuse by that parent directed against the other parent, a spouse, or a child.

(c) The court shall consider the commission of family violence or sexual abuse in determining whether to deny, restrict, or limit the possession of a child by a parent who is appointed as a possessory conservator.

(d) The court may not allow a parent to have access to a child for whom it is shown by a preponderance of the evidence that:

(1) there is a history or pattern of committing family violence during the two years preceding the date of the filing of the suit or during the pendency of the suit; or

(2) the parent engaged in conduct that constitutes an offense under Section 21.02, 22.011, 22.021, or 25.02, Penal Code, and that as a direct result of the conduct, the victim of the conduct became pregnant with the parent's child.

(d-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (d), the court may allow a parent to have access to a child if the court:

(1) finds that awarding the parent access to the child would not endanger the child's physical health or emotional welfare and would be in the best interest of the child; and

(2) renders a possession order that is designed to protect the safety and well-being of the child and any other person who has been a victim of family violence committed by the parent and that may include a requirement that:

(A) the periods of access be continuously supervised by an entity or person chosen by the court;

(B) the exchange of possession of the child occur in a protective setting;

(C) the parent abstain from the consumption of alcohol or a controlled substance, as defined by Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, within 12 hours prior to or during the period of access to the child; or

(D) the parent attend and complete a battering intervention and prevention program as provided by Article 42.141, Code of Criminal Procedure, or, if such a program is not available, complete a course of treatment under Section 153.010.

(e) It is a rebuttable presumption that it is not in the best interest of a child for a parent to have unsupervised visitation with the child if credible evidence is presented of a history or pattern of past or present child neglect or abuse or family violence by:

(1) that parent; or

(2) any person who resides in that parent's household or who is permitted by that parent to have unsupervised access to the child during that parent's periods of possession of or access to the child.

(f) In determining under this section whether there is credible evidence of a history or pattern of past or present child neglect or abuse or family violence by a parent or other person, as applicable, the court shall consider whether a protective order was rendered under Chapter 85, Title 4, against the parent or other person during the two-year period preceding the filing of the suit or during the pendency of the suit.

(g) In this section:

(1) "Abuse" and "neglect" have the meanings assigned by Section 261.001.

(2) "Family violence" has the meaning assigned by Section 71.004.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 774, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 787, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 586, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 642, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 907 (H.B. 1228), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 907 (H.B. 1228), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2013.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 99 (S.B. 495), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 204 cases (45 in the last 5 years), 1996–2026 · leading case: in the Interest of L.C.L, a Minor Child, 396 S.W.3d 712 (Tex. App. 2013).
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
in the Interest of L.C.L, a Minor Child, 396 S.W.3d 712 (Tex. App. 2013). · cites it 8× “); see also Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 153.004 (West 2008) (court may not appoint joint managing conservators if evidence of history of physical abuse).”
In the Interest of K.S., 492 S.W.3d 419 (Tex. App. 2016). · cites it 4× “child_” Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 153.004 (b) (West 2014).”
In re Interest of J.J.G., 540 S.W.3d 44 (Tex. App. 2017). · cites it 4× “TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.004(b). Under the plain language of sections 153.”
In re Harrison, 557 S.W.3d 99 (Tex. App. 2018). · cites it 2× “" Although a trial court has "wide latitude" in making conservatorship determinations, 22 Connie contends that discretion is limited by Texas Family Code section 153.004, which applies when there is a history or pattern of domestic violence in the family.”
Critz v. Critz, 297 S.W.3d 464 (Tex. App. 2009). · cites it 4× “004 states, in part, that in determining conservatorship, a court shall consider evidence of the intentional use of abusive physical force and that a court may not "appoint joint managing conservators if credible evidence is presented of a history or pattern of past or present…”
Hinkle v. Hinkle, 223 S.W.3d 773 (Tex. App. 2007). · cites it 3× “LEGAL AND FACTUAL SUFFICIENCY In her first issue, appellant contends, “Under the legal sufficiency standard of review for no-evidence, the jury’s ruling on the issue of family violence in the verdict should be disregarded and reversed and the Appellee should be removed as Joint…”
In Re the Marriage of Stein, 153 S.W.3d 485 (Tex. App. 2004). · cites it 3× “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.004 (Vernon 2002) with Tex.”
Whitworth v. Whitworth, 222 S.W.3d 616 (Tex. App. 2007). · cites it 2× “" TEX. FAM CODE ANN. § 153.004 (Vernon 2002 and Supp.”
Viera v. Viera, 331 S.W.3d 195 (Tex. App. 2011). · cites it 3× “004 of the Texas Family Code. Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.”
Schaban-Maurer v. Maurer-Schaban, 238 S.W.3d 815 (Tex. App. 2007). · cites it 2× “Thus, no actual controversy now exists between Basil and Anna regarding its enforceability, and that issue is moot.”
Stallworth v. Stallworth, 201 S.W.3d 338 (Tex. App. 2006). · cites it 2× “Tex. FaM.Code Ann. § 153.004(a) (Vernon Supp.”
Dedric D'Shawn Jones v. State, 540 S.W.3d 16 (Tex. App. 2017). · cites it 6× “See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. §§ 153.004, 153.131. Thus, he was extremely vulnerable to losing custody of his child should he be convicted of assaulting Jimenez without justification.”
Show all 204 citing cases →
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.004(a) — 25 cases
Stallworth v. Stallworth, 201 S.W.3d 338 (Tex. App. 2006). “Tex. FaM.Code Ann. § 153.004(a) (Vernon Supp.”
In Re the Marriage Edwards, 79 S.W.3d 88 (Tex. App. 2002).
In Re the Marriage of Stein, 153 S.W.3d 485 (Tex. App. 2004). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.004 (Vernon 2002) with Tex.”
Viera v. Viera, 331 S.W.3d 195 (Tex. App. 2011). “004 of the Texas Family Code. Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.”
in the Interest of A.M., a Child, 418 S.W.3d 830 (Tex. App. 2013).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.004(b) — 65 cases
In re Interest of J.J.G., 540 S.W.3d 44 (Tex. App. 2017). “TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.004(b). Under the plain language of sections 153.”
in the Interest of L.C.L, a Minor Child, 396 S.W.3d 712 (Tex. App. 2013). “); see also Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 153.004 (West 2008) (court may not appoint joint managing conservators if evidence of history of physical abuse).”
In Re Guardianship of Cem-K., 341 S.W.3d 68 (Tex. App. 2011).
Jason Daniel Watts v. Adrian Jean Watts, 396 S.W.3d 19 (Tex. App. 2012).
In Re the Marriage Edwards, 79 S.W.3d 88 (Tex. App. 2002).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.004(c) — 14 cases
Tuan Anh Tran v. Sheryn D. Nguyen, 480 S.W.3d 119 (Tex. App. 2015).
Dedric D'Shawn Jones v. State, 540 S.W.3d 16 (Tex. App. 2017). “See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. §§ 153.004, 153.131. Thus, he was extremely vulnerable to losing custody of his child should he be convicted of assaulting Jimenez without justification.”
in the Interest of L.C.L, a Minor Child, 396 S.W.3d 712 (Tex. App. 2013). “); see also Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 153.004 (West 2008) (court may not appoint joint managing conservators if evidence of history of physical abuse).”
in the Interest of M.M.M., a Child, 307 S.W.3d 846 (Tex. App. 2010).
In Re Vicki Lynn COMPTON, 117 S.W.3d 548 (Tex. App. 2003).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.004(d) — 2 cases
in the Interest of L.C.L, a Minor Child, 396 S.W.3d 712 (Tex. App. 2013). “); see also Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 153.004 (West 2008) (court may not appoint joint managing conservators if evidence of history of physical abuse).”
Mark Shackelford v. Joli Marie Shackelford (Tex. App. 2004).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.004(d)(1) — 2 cases
Freedom From Religion v. Mack, 54 F.4th 320 (5th Cir. 2022).
Syed Kazmi v. Syeda Kazmi (Tex. App. 2023).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.004(d)(2) — 1 case
Jason D. Brownlee v. Katharine A. Daniel (Tex. App. 2012).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.004(d)(2)(A) — 3 cases
in the Interest of L.C.L, a Minor Child, 396 S.W.3d 712 (Tex. App. 2013). “); see also Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 153.004 (West 2008) (court may not appoint joint managing conservators if evidence of history of physical abuse).”
in the Interest of M.M.M., a Child, 307 S.W.3d 846 (Tex. App. 2010).
In Re Mmm, 307 S.W.3d 846 (Tex. App. 2010).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.004(e) — 8 cases
In the Interest of A.G., 531 S.W.3d 329 (Tex. App. 2017).
in the Interest of L.C.L, a Minor Child, 396 S.W.3d 712 (Tex. App. 2013). “); see also Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 153.004 (West 2008) (court may not appoint joint managing conservators if evidence of history of physical abuse).”
in the Interest of M.M.M., a Child, 307 S.W.3d 846 (Tex. App. 2010).
in the Interest of B.N.F. & J.D.F., Jr., Child., 120 S.W.3d 873 (Tex. App. 2003).
In Re Mmm, 307 S.W.3d 846 (Tex. App. 2010).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.004(e)(1) — 2 cases
in the Interest of A.A.E. & J.O.E., Child. (Tex. App. 2019).
Mustapha Zouguaghi v. Amanda Zouguaghi (Tex. App. 2025).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.004(e)(2) — 1 case
in the Interest of A.A.E. & J.O.E., Child. (Tex. App. 2019).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.004(f) — 8 cases
Schaban-Maurer v. Maurer-Schaban, 238 S.W.3d 815 (Tex. App. 2007). “Thus, no actual controversy now exists between Basil and Anna regarding its enforceability, and that issue is moot.”
Stallworth v. Stallworth, 201 S.W.3d 338 (Tex. App. 2006). “Tex. FaM.Code Ann. § 153.004(a) (Vernon Supp.”
Clements v. Haskovec, 251 S.W.3d 79 (Tex. App. 2008).
In Re Vicki Lynn COMPTON, 117 S.W.3d 548 (Tex. App. 2003).
in Re: E. B. (Tex. App. 2017).
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.