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
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Tex. Fam. Code § 153.131 (2026)

Presumption That Parent To Be Appointed Managing Conservator

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Sec. 153.131. PRESUMPTION THAT PARENT TO BE APPOINTED MANAGING CONSERVATOR. (a) Subject to the prohibition in Section 153.004, unless the court finds that appointment of the parent or parents would not be in the best interest of the child because the appointment would significantly impair the child's physical health or emotional development, a parent shall be appointed sole managing conservator or both parents shall be appointed as joint managing conservators of the child.

(b) It is a rebuttable presumption that the appointment of the parents of a child as joint managing conservators is in the best interest of the child. A finding of a history of family violence involving the parents of a child removes the presumption under this subsection.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 751, Sec. 32, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1193, Sec. 20, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 634 cases (200 in the last 5 years), 1995–2026 · leading case: Critz v. Critz, 297 S.W.3d 464 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2009).
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Critz v. Critz, 297 S.W.3d 464 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2009). · cites it 20× “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. §§ 153.131, .373 (Vernon 2008); see In re N.”
Whitworth v. Whitworth, 222 S.W.3d 616 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2007). · cites it 12× “See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.131 (Vernon 2002).”
In re Interest of J.J.G., 540 S.W.3d 44 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2017). · cites it 10× “See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.131 (Vernon 2014), § 263.”
In re Interest of F.E.N., 542 S.W.3d 752 (Tex. App. 2018). · cites it 4× “) (citing Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 153.131 and Lewelling , 796 S.”
in the Interest of S.T., a Child, 508 S.W.3d 482 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2015). · cites it 7× “Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 153.131 (West 2014).”
In the Interest of Rodriguez, 940 S.W.2d 265 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1997). · cites it 9× “, 1995, the case was tried to a jury, which heard not only the facts outlined above but also the testimony of the Walshes regarding the impact on Madison of the two court-ordered visitations; the testimony of the parties' experts regarding whether Madison's physical health or…”
in the Interest of N.L.D., a Child, 412 S.W.3d 810 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2013). · cites it 4× “” Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 153.131 (a) (West 2008).”
Blackwell v. Humble, 241 S.W.3d 707 (Tex. App.—Austin 2007). · cites it 6× “[5] See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.131 (West 2002), § 153.”
in the Interest of H.S., a Minor Child, 550 S.W.3d 151 (Tex. 2018). · cites it 2× “, TEX. FAM. CODE § 153.131 (the appointment of the parent or parents as managing conservators is in the child's best interest unless the court finds that the appointment "would significantly impair the child's physical health or emotional development").”
In the Interest of Walters, 39 S.W.3d 280 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2001). · cites it 3× “Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 153.131(a) (Vernon Supp.”
in the Interest of P.D.M. & K.E.M., 117 S.W.3d 453 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2003). · cites it 11× “We hold that Grandmother's and Father's suits are modification proceedings governed by family code chapter 156 and that, therefore, the parental presumption is not applicable.”
in the Interest of J.Y., G.Y., & B.Y., Child., 528 S.W.3d 679 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2017). · cites it 4× “1990)); see also Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 153.131 (West 2014).”
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Tex. Fam. Code § 153.131(a): 188 cases
Whitworth v. Whitworth, 222 S.W.3d 616 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2007). “See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.131 (Vernon 2002).”
In re Interest of J.J.G., 540 S.W.3d 44 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2017). “See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.131 (Vernon 2014), § 263.”
Critz v. Critz, 297 S.W.3d 464 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2009). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. §§ 153.131, .373 (Vernon 2008); see In re N.”
In the Interest of Rodriguez, 940 S.W.2d 265 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1997). “, 1995, the case was tried to a jury, which heard not only the facts outlined above but also the testimony of the Walshes regarding the impact on Madison of the two court-ordered visitations; the testimony of the parties' experts regarding whether Madison's physical health or…”
in the Interest of N.L.D., a Child, 412 S.W.3d 810 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2013). “” Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 153.131 (a) (West 2008).”
Tex. Fam. Code § 153.131(b): 167 cases
Critz v. Critz, 297 S.W.3d 464 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2009). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. §§ 153.131, .373 (Vernon 2008); see In re N.”
In re Interest of J.J.G., 540 S.W.3d 44 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2017). “See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.131 (Vernon 2014), § 263.”
Sarah Lansden Baker v. Mark Mitchell Baker, 469 S.W.3d 269 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2015).
in the Interest of E.R.C., a Minor Child, 496 S.W.3d 270 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2016).
Hinkle v. Hinkle, 223 S.W.3d 773 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2007).
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