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 § 153.009 (2026)

Interview Of Child In Chambers

✓ current as of May 2026
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Sec. 153.009. INTERVIEW OF CHILD IN CHAMBERS. (a) In a nonjury trial or at a hearing, on the application of a party, the amicus attorney, or the attorney ad litem for the child, the court shall interview in chambers a child 12 years of age or older and may interview in chambers a child under 12 years of age to determine the child's wishes as to conservatorship or as to the person who shall have the exclusive right to determine the child's primary residence. The court may also interview a child in chambers on the court's own motion for a purpose specified by this subsection.

(b) In a nonjury trial or at a hearing, on the application of a party, the amicus attorney, or the attorney ad litem for the child or on the court's own motion, the court may interview the child in chambers to determine the child's wishes as to possession, access, or any other issue in the suit affecting the parent-child relationship.

(c) Interviewing a child does not diminish the discretion of the court in determining the best interests of the child.

(d) In a jury trial, the court may not interview the child in chambers regarding an issue on which a party is entitled to a jury verdict.

(e) In any trial or hearing, the court may permit the attorney for a party, the amicus attorney, the guardian ad litem for the child, or the attorney ad litem for the child to be present at the interview.

(f) On the motion of a party, the amicus attorney, or the attorney ad litem for the child, or on the court's own motion, the court shall cause a record of the interview to be made when the child is 12 years of age or older. A record of the interview shall be part of the record in the case.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 781, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1289, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 916 (H.B. 260), Sec. 9, eff. June 18, 2005.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 78 cases (30 in the last 5 years), 2002–2026 · leading case: Patterson v. Brist, 236 S.W.3d 238 (Tex. App. 2006).
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Patterson v. Brist, 236 S.W.3d 238 (Tex. App. 2006). · cites it 4× “" TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 153.009(a) (Vernon Supp.”
in the Interest of A.C., a Child, 387 S.W.3d 673 (Tex. App. 2012). · cites it 5× “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.009(b) (West 2008).”
In re Harrison, 557 S.W.3d 99 (Tex. App. 2018). “See Tex. Fam. Code § 153.009(a) (requiring the court to interview in chambers children twelve years of age or older on the application of a party to determine the child's wishes as to conservatorship).”
LaPointe v. State, 225 S.W.3d 513 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). “Tex. Fam.Code § 153.009(e)(court "may” permit party to be present).”
Ohendalski v. Ohendalski, 203 S.W.3d 910 (Tex. App. 2006). “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.009 (Vernon Supp.”
In Re Vogel, 261 S.W.3d 917 (Tex. App. 2008). “” Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.009(a) (Vernon Supp.”
In Re Chu, 134 S.W.3d 459 (Tex. App. 2004). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.009 (Vernon 2002).”
Strong v. Strong, 350 S.W.3d 759 (Tex. App. 2011). “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.009(a) (West 2008) (trial court shall interview child aged 12 or older in chambers “to determine the child’s wishes as to the person who shall have the exclusive right to determine the child’s primary residence”).”
Ellason v. Ellason, 162 S.W.3d 883 (Tex. App. 2005). “” Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.009 (Vernon 2002).”
In re McPeak, 525 S.W.3d 310 (Tex. App. 2017). “Tex. Fam. Code § 153.009(a). Mother’s motion to modify the Temporary Orders raised the issue of which parent should have possession of the children and *316 the right to determine their primary residence.”
In Re the Marriage of Jeffries, 144 S.W.3d 636 (Tex. App. 2004). “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.009(b) (Vernon 2002) (authorizing consideration of child’s desires).”
In Re Lau, 89 S.W.3d 757 (Tex. App. 2002). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.009 (Vernon 2002).”
Show all 78 citing cases →
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.009(a) — 25 cases
Patterson v. Brist, 236 S.W.3d 238 (Tex. App. 2006). “" TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 153.009(a) (Vernon Supp.”
In re Harrison, 557 S.W.3d 99 (Tex. App. 2018). “See Tex. Fam. Code § 153.009(a) (requiring the court to interview in chambers children twelve years of age or older on the application of a party to determine the child's wishes as to conservatorship).”
In Re Vogel, 261 S.W.3d 917 (Tex. App. 2008). “” Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.009(a) (Vernon Supp.”
Strong v. Strong, 350 S.W.3d 759 (Tex. App. 2011). “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.009(a) (West 2008) (trial court shall interview child aged 12 or older in chambers “to determine the child’s wishes as to the person who shall have the exclusive right to determine the child’s primary residence”).”
In re McPeak, 525 S.W.3d 310 (Tex. App. 2017). “Tex. Fam. Code § 153.009(a). Mother’s motion to modify the Temporary Orders raised the issue of which parent should have possession of the children and *316 the right to determine their primary residence.”
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.009(b) — 8 cases
In Re the Marriage of Jeffries, 144 S.W.3d 636 (Tex. App. 2004). “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.009(b) (Vernon 2002) (authorizing consideration of child’s desires).”
in the Interest of A.C., a Child, 387 S.W.3d 673 (Tex. App. 2012). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.009(b) (West 2008).”
In the Interest of I.C.S., a Child v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2025).
Jason O Gordon v. Amanda Martin (Tex. App. 2020).
M. R., C. B. & J. R. v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs. (Tex. App. 2024).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.009(c) — 7 cases
in the Interest of A.C., a Child, 387 S.W.3d 673 (Tex. App. 2012). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.009(b) (West 2008).”
Katie Schmidt v. Daron Nelson (Tex. App. 2019).
in the Matter of the Marriage of Allan Ray Comstock & Mindy Lee Comstock (Tex. App. 2021).
In the Interest of J.n., L.n., K.n., & M.n., Child. v. The State of Texas (Tex. 2023).
In the Interest of J.C.K, a Child v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2024).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.009(d) — 3 cases
In the Interest of J.n., L.n., K.n., & M.n., Child. v. The State of Texas (Tex. 2023).
in the Interest of A v. & A v. Child. (Tex. App. 2015).
in the Interest of A v. & A v. Child. (Tex. App. 2015).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.009(e) — 3 cases
LaPointe v. State, 225 S.W.3d 513 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). “Tex. Fam.Code § 153.009(e)(court "may” permit party to be present).”
in the Interest of A.C., a Child, 387 S.W.3d 673 (Tex. App. 2012). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.009(b) (West 2008).”
Lapointe, James Thomas (Tex. Crim. App. 2007).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.009(f) — 8 cases
in the Interest of A.C., a Child, 387 S.W.3d 673 (Tex. App. 2012). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.009(b) (West 2008).”
In the Interest of S.E.K., 294 S.W.3d 926 (Tex. App. 2009).
In Re Lauren Ortiz v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2025).
In Re Sek, 294 S.W.3d 926 (Tex. App. 2009).
in the Interest of E.E., N.E., A.E. & E.E., Child. (Tex. App. 2020).
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