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

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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.—Houston [14th Dist.] 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.—Houston [14th Dist.] 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.—Amarillo 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.—Houston [1st Dist.] 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.—Houston [1st Dist.] 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.—Houston [1st Dist.] 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.—Fort Worth 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.—Amarillo 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.—Houston [1st Dist.] 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.—Fort Worth 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.—Amarillo 2011). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 161.004(a),(b) (West 2008).”
In re DS, 333 S.W.3d 379 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2011). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 161.004(a),(b) (West 2008).”
in the Interest of K.C.F. & M.C.F., Child., No. 05-22-00509-CV (Tex. App.—Dallas Oct. 10, 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.—Houston [14th Dist.] 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.—Houston [1st Dist.] 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.—Houston [1st Dist.] 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.—Amarillo 2011). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 161.004(a),(b) (West 2008).”
In re DS, 333 S.W.3d 379 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 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.—Houston [1st Dist.] 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.—Amarillo 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, No. 13-10-00683-CV (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi Aug. 4, 2011).
In the Interest of A.S.R. AKA A.R., a Child v. the State of Texas, No. 14-24-00444-CV (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Nov. 21, 2024).
J. S. v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., No. 03-24-00751-CV (Tex. App.—Austin May 14, 2025).
J. S. v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., No. 03-24-00751-CV (Tex. App.—Austin May 14, 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., No. 01-25-00640-CV (Feb. 3, 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., No. 01-25-00640-CV (Mar. 24, 2026).
Interest of J.M.T., 652 S.W.3d 525 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2022).
in the Interest of K.C.F. & M.C.F., Child., No. 05-22-00509-CV (Tex. App.—Dallas Oct. 10, 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., No. 12-12-00196-CV (Tex. App.—Tyler Nov. 21, 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.—Houston [14th Dist.] 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.—Fort Worth 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.—Fort Worth 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., No. 13-22-00304-CV, 2022 WL 17844215 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi–Edinburg Dec. 22, 2022).
R. D. v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., No. 03-16-00311-CV (Tex. App.—Austin Oct. 26, 2016).
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