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 § 153.134 (2026)

Court-ordered Joint Conservatorship

✓ current as of May 2026
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Sec. 153.134. COURT-ORDERED JOINT CONSERVATORSHIP. (a) If a written agreed parenting plan is not filed with the court, the court may render an order appointing the parents joint managing conservators only if the appointment is in the best interest of the child, considering the following factors:

(1) whether the physical, psychological, or emotional needs and development of the child will benefit from the appointment of joint managing conservators;

(2) the ability of the parents to give first priority to the welfare of the child and reach shared decisions in the child's best interest;

(3) whether each parent can encourage and accept a positive relationship between the child and the other parent;

(4) whether both parents participated in child rearing before the filing of the suit;

(5) the geographical proximity of the parents' residences;

(6) if the child is 12 years of age or older, the child's preference, if any, regarding the person to have the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the child; and

(7) any other relevant factor.

(b) In rendering an order appointing joint managing conservators, the court shall:

(1) designate the conservator who has the exclusive right to determine the primary residence of the child and:

(A) establish, until modified by further order, a geographic area within which the conservator shall maintain the child's primary residence; or

(B) specify that the conservator may determine the child's primary residence without regard to geographic location;

(2) specify the rights and duties of each parent regarding the child's physical care, support, and education;

(3) include provisions to minimize disruption of the child's education, daily routine, and association with friends;

(4) allocate between the parents, independently, jointly, or exclusively, all of the remaining rights and duties of a parent as provided by Chapter 151; and

(5) if feasible, recommend that the parties use an alternative dispute resolution method before requesting enforcement or modification of the terms and conditions of the joint conservatorship through litigation, except in an emergency.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 936, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1036, Sec. 11, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 482 (H.B. 252), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 916 (H.B. 260), Sec. 11, eff. June 18, 2005.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 163 cases (37 in the last 5 years), 1997–2026 · leading case: London v. London, 94 S.W.3d 139 (Tex. App. 2002).
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London v. London, 94 S.W.3d 139 (Tex. App. 2002). · cites it 4× “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.134(b)(1)(A) (Vernon Supp.”
Swaab v. Swaab, 282 S.W.3d 519 (Tex. App. 2008). · cites it 3× “TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.134(a). 17 . This website provides a free exercise risk assessment by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and a fitness professional locator service.”
Turrubiartes v. Olvera, 539 S.W.3d 524 (Tex. App. 2018). · cites it 4× “See TEX. FAM. CODE § 153.134(a) ; Lide , 116 S.”
Bates v. Tesar, 81 S.W.3d 411 (Tex. App. 2002). · cites it 2× “Compare TEX. FAM.CODE § 153.134 with TEX.FAM. CODE § 156.”
Morgan v. Morgan, 254 S.W.3d 485 (Tex. App. 2008). · cites it 4× “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.134(b). Issue three is overruled.”
Dennis v. Smith, 962 S.W.2d 67 (Tex. App. 1998). · cites it 4× “TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 153.134(b) (Vernon 1996).”
Lenz v. Lenz, 79 S.W.3d 10 (Tex. 2002). “Tex. Fam.Code § 153.134(b). One of those essential provisions concerns residence: the order must either establish the county of the child’s residence or designate the conservator who has the exclusive right to determine the child’s primary residence.”
in the Matter of the Marriage of Nikki Lanelle Christensen & Dean Christensen, Jr., & in the Interest of W.C., a Child, 570 S.W.3d 933 (Tex. App. 2019). · cites it 2× “See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.134 (West 2014).”
Critz v. Critz, 297 S.W.3d 464 (Tex. App. 2009). · cites it 2× “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.134(b)(1) (Vernon 2008).”
Jenkins v. Jenkins, 16 S.W.3d 473 (Tex. App. 2000). · cites it 2× “See Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 153.134(a). In addition, the Family Code also provides that “[i]f a joint managing conservatorship is ordered, the best interest of the child ordinarily requires the court to designate a primary physical residence for the child.”
Matter of Marriage of Bertram, 981 S.W.2d 820 (Tex. App. 1998). · cites it 2× “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.134 (Vernon 1996).”
Gardner v. Gardner, 229 S.W.3d 747 (Tex. App. 2007). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.134(b)(1) (Vernon Supp.”
Show all 163 citing cases →
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.134(a) — 25 cases
Turrubiartes v. Olvera, 539 S.W.3d 524 (Tex. App. 2018). “See TEX. FAM. CODE § 153.134(a) ; Lide , 116 S.”
in the Interest of E.R.C., a Minor Child, 496 S.W.3d 270 (Tex. App. 2016).
Zewde v. Abadi, 529 S.W.3d 189 (Tex. App. 2017).
Swaab v. Swaab, 282 S.W.3d 519 (Tex. App. 2008). “TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.134(a). 17 . This website provides a free exercise risk assessment by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and a fitness professional locator service.”
Naguib v. Naguib, 137 S.W.3d 367 (Tex. App. 2004).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.134(a)(1) — 4 cases
Bailey v. Bailey, 987 S.W.2d 206 (Tex. App. 1999).
Carson v. Hathaway, 997 S.W.2d 760 (Tex. App. 1999).
in the Interest of J.M.M., a Child (Tex. App. 2021).
Maliha Mobeen Beg v. Omar Shakeel (Tex. App. 2020).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.134(a)(2) — 5 cases
Pena v. Pena, 986 S.W.2d 696 (Tex. App. 1999).
Rayburn v. Rayburn, 979 S.W.2d 858 (Tex. App. 1998).
Daniel Caldwell v. Jennifer Garfutt (Tex. App. 2016).
In the Interest of J.A.A., a Child v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2023).
In the Matter of the Marriage of Jason Bryant & Lindsey Bryant & in the Interest of B. B. & S. B., Child. v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2025).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.134(a)(3) — 1 case
In the Interest of C.L.M., a Child v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2025).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.134(a)(4) — 2 cases
Matter of Marriage of Bertram, 981 S.W.2d 820 (Tex. App. 1998). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.134 (Vernon 1996).”
In the Interest of C.L.M., a Child v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2025).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.134(a)(6) — 2 cases
Abrams v. Jones, 35 S.W.3d 620 (Tex. 2000).
T. M. & O. A. v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs. (Tex. App. 2021).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.134(a)(7) — 2 cases
In the Interest of E.K.D., a Child v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2025).
Adrian Gaitan v. Erica Thumann (Tex. App. 2014).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.134(b) — 15 cases
Lenz v. Lenz, 79 S.W.3d 10 (Tex. 2002). “Tex. Fam.Code § 153.134(b). One of those essential provisions concerns residence: the order must either establish the county of the child’s residence or designate the conservator who has the exclusive right to determine the child’s primary residence.”
Dennis v. Smith, 962 S.W.2d 67 (Tex. App. 1998). “TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 153.134(b) (Vernon 1996).”
Morgan v. Morgan, 254 S.W.3d 485 (Tex. App. 2008). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.134(b). Issue three is overruled.”
Bell v. Campbell, 328 S.W.3d 618 (Tex. App. 2010).
Albrecht v. Albrecht, 974 S.W.2d 262 (Tex. App. 1998).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.134(b)(1) — 36 cases
Critz v. Critz, 297 S.W.3d 464 (Tex. App. 2009). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.134(b)(1) (Vernon 2008).”
Bates v. Tesar, 81 S.W.3d 411 (Tex. App. 2002). “Compare TEX. FAM.CODE § 153.134 with TEX.FAM. CODE § 156.”
Gardner v. Gardner, 229 S.W.3d 747 (Tex. App. 2007). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.134(b)(1) (Vernon Supp.”
In Re the Marriage of Jeffries, 144 S.W.3d 636 (Tex. App. 2004).
Morgan v. Morgan, 254 S.W.3d 485 (Tex. App. 2008). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.134(b). Issue three is overruled.”
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.134(b)(1)(A) — 11 cases
London v. London, 94 S.W.3d 139 (Tex. App. 2002). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.134(b)(1)(A) (Vernon Supp.”
Morgan v. Morgan, 254 S.W.3d 485 (Tex. App. 2008). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.134(b). Issue three is overruled.”
in the Matter of the Marriage of Nikki Lanelle Christensen & Dean Christensen, Jr., & in the Interest of W.C., a Child, 570 S.W.3d 933 (Tex. App. 2019). “See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.134 (West 2014).”
Vazquez v. Vazquez, 292 S.W.3d 80 (Tex. App. 2007).
in the Interest of C.R.A. & S.A.A., 453 S.W.3d 623 (Tex. App. 2015).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.134(b)(1)(B) — 3 cases
In the Interest of K.L.W., 301 S.W.3d 423 (Tex. App. 2009).
In Re Klw, 301 S.W.3d 423 (Tex. App. 2009).
Christopher Hughes v. Christina Hughes (Tex. App. 2025).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.134(b)(2) — 7 cases
London v. London, 94 S.W.3d 139 (Tex. App. 2002). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.134(b)(1)(A) (Vernon Supp.”
In the Interest of M.A.M., 346 S.W.3d 10 (Tex. App. 2011).
In the Interest of E.G.L., 378 S.W.3d 542 (Tex. App. 2012).
In the Interest of C.C.J., 244 S.W.3d 911 (Tex. App. 2008).
Bailey v. Bailey, 987 S.W.2d 206 (Tex. App. 1999).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.134(b)(4) — 1 case
In the Matter of the Marriage of Tamara Lynn Fraker & Christopher Schubert & in the Interest of D.R.S., a Child v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2025).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.134(b)(5) — 2 cases
Swaab v. Swaab, 282 S.W.3d 519 (Tex. App. 2008). “TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.134(a). 17 . This website provides a free exercise risk assessment by the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and a fitness professional locator service.”
Dennis v. Smith, 962 S.W.2d 67 (Tex. App. 1998). “TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 153.134(b) (Vernon 1996).”
— Tex. Fam. Code § 153.134(b)(l) — 1 case
Jenkins v. Jenkins, 16 S.W.3d 473 (Tex. App. 2000). “See Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 153.134(a). In addition, the Family Code also provides that “[i]f a joint managing conservatorship is ordered, the best interest of the child ordinarily requires the court to designate a primary physical residence for the child.”
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