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
Texas Codes

Tex. Fam. Code § 161.004 (2026)

Termination Of Parental Rights After Denial Of Prior Petition To Terminate

✓ current as of May 2026
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Sec. 161.004. TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS AFTER DENIAL OF PRIOR PETITION TO TERMINATE. (a) The court may terminate the parent-child relationship after rendition of an order that previously denied termination of the parent-child relationship if:

(1) the petition under this section is filed after the date the order denying termination was rendered;

(2) the circumstances of the child, parent, sole managing conservator, possessory conservator, or other party affected by the order denying termination have materially and substantially changed since the date that the order was rendered;

(3) the parent committed an act listed under Section 161.001 before the date the order denying termination was rendered; and

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

(b) At a hearing under this section, the court may consider evidence presented at a previous hearing in a suit for termination of the parent-child relationship of the parent with respect to the same child.

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

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 71 cases (18 in the last 5 years), 2002–2026 · leading case: in the Interest of F.M.E.A.F., A.A.F.H., & A.J.F.H., Child., 572 S.W.3d 716 (Tex. App. 2019).
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in the Interest of F.M.E.A.F., A.A.F.H., & A.J.F.H., Child., 572 S.W.3d 716 (Tex. App. 2019). · cites it 3× “Tex. Fam. Code § 161.004(a). At a hearing under this section, “the court may consider evidence presented at a previous hearing in a suit for termination of the parent-child relationship of the parent with respect to the same child.”
in the Interest of D.N. & D.N., Child., 405 S.W.3d 863 (Tex. App. 2013). · cites it 3× “See Tex. Fam Code Ann. § 161.004 (a)(2). We rely on this distinction between the procedural postures of In re N.”
Thompson v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 176 S.W.3d 121 (Tex. App. 2005). · cites it 4× “See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.004 (a) (specifying that circumstances may change as to child, parent, or “any other party” affected).”
In re K.P., 498 S.W.3d 157 (Tex. App. 2016). · cites it 2× “After the close of the evidence, the trial court entered judgment continuing DFPS as KP’s Managing Conservator,, and terminating Mother’s parental rights under two different sections of the Texas Family Code: Texas Family Code § 161.004.: Termination After Prior Termination…”
In re B.D.A., 546 S.W.3d 346 (Tex. App. 2018). “See Tex. Fam. Code § 161.004 (authorizing termination of the parent-child relationship after rendition of an order that previously denied termination of the parent-child relationship); see also id .”
in the Interest of K.G., a Child, 350 S.W.3d 338 (Tex. App. 2011). · cites it 3× “Laws 113 , 213-14 (current version at Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 161.004 (West 2008)).”
In the Interest of N.R.T., a Child, 338 S.W.3d 667 (Tex. App. 2011). · cites it 2× “See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.004 (a)(2) (West 2008).”
in the Interest of I.L.M., 464 S.W.3d 421 (Tex. App. 2015). “Pursuant to Texas Family Code section 161.004(a), however, a court “may terminate the parent-child relationship after rendition of an order that previously denied termination” if the circumstances of the child, parent, conservator, or other party affected by the previous order…”
In Re Kg, 350 S.W.3d 338 (Tex. App. 2011). · cites it 3× “Laws 135 , 135-37 (current version at Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 161.001), with Act of May 27, 1993, 73rd Leg.”
in the Interest of D.S., N.S., Child., 333 S.W.3d 379 (Tex. App. 2011). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 161.004(a),(b) (West 2008).”
In Re Ds, 333 S.W.3d 379 (Tex. App. 2011). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 161.004(a),(b) (West 2008).”
in the Interest of K.C.F. & M.C.F., Child. (Tex. App. 2022). · cites it 4× “004 of the Texas Family Code. TEX. FAM. CODE § 161.004 (“Termination of Parental Rights After Denial of Prior Petition to Terminate”).”
Show all 71 citing cases →
— Tex. Fam. Code § 161.004(a) — 21 cases
in the Interest of F.M.E.A.F., A.A.F.H., & A.J.F.H., Child., 572 S.W.3d 716 (Tex. App. 2019). “Tex. Fam. Code § 161.004(a). At a hearing under this section, “the court may consider evidence presented at a previous hearing in a suit for termination of the parent-child relationship of the parent with respect to the same child.”
in the Interest of I.L.M., 464 S.W.3d 421 (Tex. App. 2015). “Pursuant to Texas Family Code section 161.004(a), however, a court “may terminate the parent-child relationship after rendition of an order that previously denied termination” if the circumstances of the child, parent, conservator, or other party affected by the previous order…”
Thompson v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 176 S.W.3d 121 (Tex. App. 2005). “See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.004 (a) (specifying that circumstances may change as to child, parent, or “any other party” affected).”
in the Interest of D.S., N.S., Child., 333 S.W.3d 379 (Tex. App. 2011). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 161.004(a),(b) (West 2008).”
In Re Ds, 333 S.W.3d 379 (Tex. App. 2011). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 161.004(a),(b) (West 2008).”
— Tex. Fam. Code § 161.004(a)(1) — 1 case
Thompson v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 176 S.W.3d 121 (Tex. App. 2005). “See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 161.004 (a) (specifying that circumstances may change as to child, parent, or “any other party” affected).”
— Tex. Fam. Code § 161.004(a)(2) — 5 cases
in the Interest of D.N. & D.N., Child., 405 S.W.3d 863 (Tex. App. 2013). “See Tex. Fam Code Ann. § 161.004 (a)(2). We rely on this distinction between the procedural postures of In re N.”
in the Interest of D.S.G., a Child (Tex. App. 2011).
In the Interest of A.S.R. AKA A.R., a Child v. the State of Texas (Tex. App. 2024).
J. S. v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs. (Tex. App. 2025).
J. S. v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs. (Tex. App. 2025).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 161.004(a)(3) — 6 cases
In the Interest of J.C.D.Y. A/K/A J.Y., J.E.D.Y. AKA J.Y., M.M.D.Y. AKA M.Y., J.T.D.Y., AKA J.Y. Child. v. Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs. (2026).
In the Interest of J.C.D.Y. A/K/A J.Y., J.E.D.Y. AKA J.Y., M.M.D.Y. AKA M.Y., J.T.D.Y., AKA J.Y. Child. v. Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs. (2026).
Interest of J.M.T. (Tex. App. 2022).
in the Interest of K.C.F. & M.C.F., Child. (Tex. App. 2022). “004 of the Texas Family Code. TEX. FAM. CODE § 161.004 (“Termination of Parental Rights After Denial of Prior Petition to Terminate”).”
in the Interest of L.O. & K.O., Child. (Tex. App. 2012).
— Tex. Fam. Code § 161.004(b) — 13 cases
in the Interest of F.M.E.A.F., A.A.F.H., & A.J.F.H., Child., 572 S.W.3d 716 (Tex. App. 2019). “Tex. Fam. Code § 161.004(a). At a hearing under this section, “the court may consider evidence presented at a previous hearing in a suit for termination of the parent-child relationship of the parent with respect to the same child.”
in the Interest of K.G., a Child, 350 S.W.3d 338 (Tex. App. 2011). “Laws 113 , 213-14 (current version at Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 161.004 (West 2008)).”
In Re Kg, 350 S.W.3d 338 (Tex. App. 2011). “Laws 135 , 135-37 (current version at Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 161.001), with Act of May 27, 1993, 73rd Leg.”
in the Interest of M.R. & X.R., Child. (Tex. App. 2022).
R. D. v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs. (Tex. App. 2016).
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