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 161. TERMINATION OF THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP
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Tex. Fam. Code § 161.003 (2026)

Involuntary Termination: Inability To Care For Child

✓ laws through the 89th Legislature (2025)
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Sec. 161.003. INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION: INABILITY TO CARE FOR CHILD. (a) The court may order termination of the parent-child relationship in a suit filed by the Department of Family and Protective Services if the court finds that:

(1) the parent has a mental or emotional illness or a mental deficiency that renders the parent unable to provide for the physical, emotional, and mental needs of the child;

(2) the illness or deficiency, in all reasonable probability, proved by clear and convincing evidence, will continue to render the parent unable to provide for the child's needs until the 18th birthday of the child;

(3) the department has been the temporary or sole managing conservator of the child of the parent for at least six months preceding the date of the hearing on the termination held in accordance with Subsection (c);

(4) the department has made reasonable efforts to return the child to the parent; and

(5) the termination is in the best interest of the child.

(b) Immediately after the filing of a suit under this section, the court shall appoint an attorney ad litem to represent the interests of the parent against whom the suit is brought.

(c) A hearing on the termination may not be held earlier than 180 days after the date on which the suit was filed.

(d) An attorney appointed under Subsection (b) shall represent the parent for the duration of the suit unless the parent, with the permission of the court, retains another attorney.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 751, Sec. 67, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 496, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1090, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 1.080, eff. April 2, 2015.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 109 cases (25 in the last 5 years), 1997–2026 · leading case: Liu v. Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 273 S.W.3d 785 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2008).
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Liu v. Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 273 S.W.3d 785 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2008). · cites it 11× “Texas Family Code Section 161.003 Section 161.”
In the Interest of B.J.C., 495 S.W.3d 29 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2016). · cites it 4× “Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.003 (a). Termination -of the parent-child relationship may be ordered, if the court finds that: (1) the parent has a mental or emotional illness or mental deficiency that renders the parent unable to provide for the physical, emotional, and mental needs…”
Salas v. Texas Dep't of Prot. & Regulatory Servs., 71 S.W.3d 783 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2002). · cites it 3× “that Salas has a mental and emotional illness that renders her incapable of providing for the needs of the children [Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 161.003 (Vernon 1996) ].”
in the Interest of K.M.L., a Child, 443 S.W.3d 101 (Tex. 2014). “See Tex. Fam.Code § 161.003(a)(1). There is no explanation for why DFPS did not pursue termination under this statutory provision.”
in the Interest of E.R., a Child, 555 S.W.3d 796 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2018). · cites it 2× “Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.003 (a) (West Supp.”
Adams v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 236 S.W.3d 271 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2007). “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 161.003 (Vernon 2002).”
In the Interest of A.L.M. & S.M.M., Minor Child., 300 S.W.3d 914 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2009). · cites it 4× “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 161.003 (Vernon 2008).”
in the Interest of A.B. & H.B., Child., 412 S.W.3d 588 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2013). “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 161.003 (Vernon 2008) (authorizing termination of parent-child relationship under certain circumstances based on mental or emotional illness of parent); see also, generally, In re A.”
in the Interest of A. L., a Child, 545 S.W.3d 138 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2017). “See TEX.FAM.CODE ANN. § 161.003 (West Supp. 2016).”
In the Interest of J.R.P., M.C. & R.P., Jr., Minor Child., 55 S.W.3d 147 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2001). “012 (Vernon 1996) (requiring immediate appointment of counsel to represent children); Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.003 (b) (Vernon 1996) (requiring immediate appointment of counsel to represent a mentally ill parent).”
in the Interest of K.G., a Child, 350 S.W.3d 338 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2011). · cites it 2× “Compare Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.003 (requiring a finding that the parent have a mental illness or deficiency and the resulting inability to meet the child’s mental, physical, and emotional needs, in addition to a best interest finding), with id.”
In the Interest of R.M.T., a Child, 352 S.W.3d 12 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2011). · cites it 3× “3d at 375 ; Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 161.003. Various procedural safeguards, such as the appointment of a guardian or other legal representative of the allegedly incompetent mother were not employed.”
Show all 109 citing cases →
Tex. Fam. Code § 161.003(a): 23 cases
In the Interest of B.J.C., 495 S.W.3d 29 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2016). “Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.003 (a). Termination -of the parent-child relationship may be ordered, if the court finds that: (1) the parent has a mental or emotional illness or mental deficiency that renders the parent unable to provide for the physical, emotional, and mental needs…”
Salas v. Texas Dep't of Prot. & Regulatory Servs., 71 S.W.3d 783 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2002). “that Salas has a mental and emotional illness that renders her incapable of providing for the needs of the children [Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 161.003 (Vernon 1996) ].”
in the Interest of M.A., a Child, No. 04-19-00648-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio Feb. 26, 2020).
C. S. F. v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., No. 03-14-00597-CV (Tex. App.—Austin Mar. 13, 2015).
in the Interest of C. R. T. H., a Child, No. 13-13-00032-CV (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi May 2, 2013).
Tex. Fam. Code § 161.003(a)(1): 18 cases
in the Interest of K.M.L., a Child, 443 S.W.3d 101 (Tex. 2014). “See Tex. Fam.Code § 161.003(a)(1). There is no explanation for why DFPS did not pursue termination under this statutory provision.”
Liu v. Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 273 S.W.3d 785 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2008). “Texas Family Code Section 161.003 Section 161.”
in the Interest of K.G., a Child, 350 S.W.3d 338 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2011). “Compare Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.003 (requiring a finding that the parent have a mental illness or deficiency and the resulting inability to meet the child’s mental, physical, and emotional needs, in addition to a best interest finding), with id.”
In the Interest of A.L.M. & S.M.M., Minor Child., 300 S.W.3d 914 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2009). “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 161.003 (Vernon 2008).”
In re KG, 350 S.W.3d 338 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2011).
Tex. Fam. Code § 161.003(a)(2): 3 cases
In the Interest of B.L.M. & Jr., Child., 114 S.W.3d 641 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2003).
In re BLM, 114 S.W.3d 641 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2003).
in the Interest of V.L.M, a Child, No. 04-18-00100-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio July 25, 2018).
Tex. Fam. Code § 161.003(a)(3): 2 cases
In the Interest of A.L.M. & S.M.M., Minor Child., 300 S.W.3d 914 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2009). “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 161.003 (Vernon 2008).”
In re Alm, 300 S.W.3d 914 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2009).
Tex. Fam. Code § 161.003(a)(4): 5 cases
Liu v. Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 273 S.W.3d 785 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2008). “Texas Family Code Section 161.003 Section 161.”
Sally Liu v. Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., No. 01-07-00899-CV (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 26, 2008).
A. L. v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., No. 03-13-00610-CV (Tex. App.—Austin Feb. 12, 2014).
C. S. F. v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., No. 03-14-00597-CV (Tex. App.—Austin Mar. 13, 2015).
in the Interest of J. L. H., a Child, No. 12-14-00216-CV (Tex. App.—Tyler Dec. 3, 2014).
Tex. Fam. Code § 161.003(a)(5): 8 cases
Liu v. Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 273 S.W.3d 785 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2008). “Texas Family Code Section 161.003 Section 161.”
In the Interest of B.J.C., 495 S.W.3d 29 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2016). “Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.003 (a). Termination -of the parent-child relationship may be ordered, if the court finds that: (1) the parent has a mental or emotional illness or mental deficiency that renders the parent unable to provide for the physical, emotional, and mental needs…”
Salas v. Texas Dep't of Prot. & Regulatory Servs., 71 S.W.3d 783 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2002). “that Salas has a mental and emotional illness that renders her incapable of providing for the needs of the children [Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 161.003 (Vernon 1996) ].”
Sally Liu v. Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., No. 01-07-00899-CV (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Nov. 26, 2008).
in the Interest of J. L. H., a Child, No. 12-14-00216-CV (Tex. App.—Tyler Dec. 3, 2014).
Tex. Fam. Code § 161.003(a)(8): 1 case
Brazoria Cnty. Child.'s Prot. Servs. v. Frederick, 176 S.W.3d 277 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2004).
Tex. Fam. Code § 161.003(a)(l): 2 cases
In the Interest of B.J.C., 495 S.W.3d 29 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2016). “Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.003 (a). Termination -of the parent-child relationship may be ordered, if the court finds that: (1) the parent has a mental or emotional illness or mental deficiency that renders the parent unable to provide for the physical, emotional, and mental needs…”
Liu v. Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 273 S.W.3d 785 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2008). “Texas Family Code Section 161.003 Section 161.”
Tex. Fam. Code § 161.003(b): 4 cases
In the Interest of R.M.T., a Child, 352 S.W.3d 12 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2011). “3d at 375 ; Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 161.003. Various procedural safeguards, such as the appointment of a guardian or other legal representative of the allegedly incompetent mother were not employed.”
In re RMT, 352 S.W.3d 12 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2011).
in the Interest of C.B., a Child, 659 S.W.3d 504 (Tex. App.—Tyler 2023).
in the Interest of R. M. T., a Child, No. 06-11-00037-CV (Tex. App.—Texarkana Oct. 5, 2011).
Tex. Fam. Code § 161.003(c): 1 case
Douglas Roy v. Texas Dep't of Prot. & Regulatory Servs., No. 12-01-00001-CV (Tex. App.—Tyler Oct. 24, 2001).
Tex. Fam. Code § 161.003(d): 2 cases
in the Interest of A.J.L. & C.R.L., Child., 136 S.W.3d 293 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2004).
In re AJL, 136 S.W.3d 293 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2004).
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