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 § 153.251 (2026)

Policy And General Application Of Guidelines

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Sec. 153.251. POLICY AND GENERAL APPLICATION OF GUIDELINES. (a) The guidelines established in the standard possession order are intended to guide the courts in ordering the terms and conditions for possession of a child by a parent named as a possessory conservator or as the minimum possession for a joint managing conservator.

(b) It is the policy of this state to encourage frequent contact between a child and each parent for periods of possession that optimize the development of a close and continuing relationship between each parent and child.

(c) It is preferable for all children in a family to be together during periods of possession.

(d) The standard possession order is designed to apply to a child three years of age or older.

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

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 45 cases (11 in the last 5 years), 1997–2025 · leading case: Coleman v. Coleman, 109 S.W.3d 108 (Tex. App.—Austin 2003).
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Coleman v. Coleman, 109 S.W.3d 108 (Tex. App.—Austin 2003). · cites it 2× “The permanent orders have the effect of allowing the children to be together for only short periods of time.”
In the Interest of Rodriguez, 940 S.W.2d 265 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1997). · cites it 2× “See TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. §§ 153.251(d), 153.254 (Vernon 1996).”
Gardner v. Gardner, 229 S.W.3d 747 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2007). “” Tex. Fam.Code ANN. § 153.251(c) (Vernon 2002).”
E. C. ex rel. Gonzales v. Graydon, 28 S.W.3d 825 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2000). · cites it 2× “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.251(a) (Vernon 1996) (emphasis added).”
In re Interest of J.M.M., 549 S.W.3d 293 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2018). “TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.251(a) (West 2014).”
In the Interest of C.B.M., 14 S.W.3d 855 (Tex. App. 2000). · cites it 3× “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.251(a) (Vernon 1996).”
Mason-Murphy v. Grabowski, 317 S.W.3d 923 (Tex. App.—Austin 2010). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.251 (West 2008).”
In the Interest of M.M.S., 256 S.W.3d 470 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2008). “” See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.251 (Vernon 2002).”
In re CBM, 14 S.W.3d 855 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2000). · cites it 3× “TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 153.251(a) (Vernon 1996).”
in the Interest of L. R. A. AKA L. A., a Child v. Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., No. 01-18-00843-CV (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 12, 2019). · cites it 2× “) (court violated public policy under Texas Family Code § 153.251 and abused its discretion by modifying possession order to limit the father’s contact with children without evidence that doing so was in the children’s best interests).”
In re Rdy, 51 S.W.3d 314 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2001). “See TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 153.251 (Vernon 2000).”
In re MMS, 256 S.W.3d 470 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2008). “" See TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 153.251 (Vernon 2002).”
Show all 45 citing cases →
Tex. Fam. Code § 153.251(a): 8 cases
E. C. ex rel. Gonzales v. Graydon, 28 S.W.3d 825 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2000). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.251(a) (Vernon 1996) (emphasis added).”
In re Interest of J.M.M., 549 S.W.3d 293 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2018). “TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 153.251(a) (West 2014).”
In the Interest of C.B.M., 14 S.W.3d 855 (Tex. App. 2000). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.251(a) (Vernon 1996).”
In re CBM, 14 S.W.3d 855 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2000). “TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 153.251(a) (Vernon 1996).”
in the Matter of the Marriage of L. B.& L. C. B. & in the Interest of J. C. B., a Child, No. 12-22-00135-CV (Tex. App.—Tyler Nov. 9, 2022).
Tex. Fam. Code § 153.251(b): 9 cases
In the Interest of C.B.M., 14 S.W.3d 855 (Tex. App. 2000). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.251(a) (Vernon 1996).”
In re CBM, 14 S.W.3d 855 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2000). “TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 153.251(a) (Vernon 1996).”
Theodore Stillwell v. Dawn D. Stillwell, No. 03-17-00457-CV (Tex. App.—Austin Oct. 17, 2018).
in the Interest of L. R. A. AKA L. A., a Child v. Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., No. 01-18-00843-CV (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 12, 2019). “) (court violated public policy under Texas Family Code § 153.251 and abused its discretion by modifying possession order to limit the father’s contact with children without evidence that doing so was in the children’s best interests).”
Andrew C. Pore v. Cheyenne Ellis, No. 03-20-00550-CV, 2021 WL 5095496 (Tex. App.—Austin Nov. 3, 2021).
Tex. Fam. Code § 153.251(c): 5 cases
Coleman v. Coleman, 109 S.W.3d 108 (Tex. App.—Austin 2003). “The permanent orders have the effect of allowing the children to be together for only short periods of time.”
Gardner v. Gardner, 229 S.W.3d 747 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2007). “” Tex. Fam.Code ANN. § 153.251(c) (Vernon 2002).”
in the Interest of T.S., a Child, No. 07-17-00275-CV (Tex. App.—Amarillo Aug. 14, 2018).
in the Interest of J.N., L.N., K.N., M.N., Child., 663 S.W.3d 240 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2022).
In the Interest of A.Y.K., M.Y.K. & A.Y.K., Child. v. the State of Texas, No. 05-23-00590-CV (Tex. App.—Dallas Oct. 3, 2024).
Tex. Fam. Code § 153.251(d): 3 cases
In the Interest of Rodriguez, 940 S.W.2d 265 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1997). “See TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. §§ 153.251(d), 153.254 (Vernon 1996).”
In the Interest of C.B.M., 14 S.W.3d 855 (Tex. App. 2000). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 153.251(a) (Vernon 1996).”
In re CBM, 14 S.W.3d 855 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2000). “TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 153.251(a) (Vernon 1996).”
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