Texas Codes

Tex. Fam. Code § 263.404 (2026)

Final Order Appointing Department As Managing Conservator Without Terminating Parental Rights

✓ current as of May 2026

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Sec. 263.404. FINAL ORDER APPOINTING DEPARTMENT AS MANAGING CONSERVATOR WITHOUT TERMINATING PARENTAL RIGHTS. (a) The court may render a final order appointing the department as managing conservator of the child without terminating the rights of the parent of the child if the court finds that:

(1) appointment of a parent as managing conservator would not be in the best interest of the child because the appointment would significantly impair the child's physical health or emotional development; and

(2) it would not be in the best interest of the child to appoint a relative of the child or another person as managing conservator.

(b) In determining whether the department should be appointed as managing conservator of the child without terminating the rights of a parent of the child, the court shall take the following factors into consideration:

(1) that the child will reach 18 years of age in not less than three years;

(2) that the child is 12 years of age or older and has expressed a strong desire against termination or has continuously expressed a strong desire against being adopted; and

(3) the needs and desires of the child.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 600, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Renumbered from Family Code Sec. 263.403 by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1090, Sec. 9, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 944 (S.B. 206), Sec. 39, eff. September 1, 2015.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 60 cases (13 in the last 5 years), 2002–2025 · leading case: In re Interest of J.J.G., 540 S.W.3d 44 (Tex. App. 2017).

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In re Interest of J.J.G., 540 S.W.3d 44 (Tex. App. 2017). · cites it 5× “See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 263.404 (Vernon Supp.”

Earvin v. Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 229 S.W.3d 345 (Tex. App. 2007). · cites it 2× “See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 263.404. We reverse the portions of the decree related to the termination of Earvin's parental rights and render *352 judgment denying the Department's petition for termination of Earvin's parental rights.”

Rogers v. Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 175 S.W.3d 370 (Tex. App. 2005). · cites it 2× “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 263.404(a)(2) (Vernon 2002).”

Colbert v. Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 227 S.W.3d 799 (Tex. App. 2007). · cites it 2× “[14] See TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 263.404 (Vernon 2002) (allowing trial court to appoint DFPS as sole managing conservator without termination of parental rights when trial court makes specific findings).”

Walker v. Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 251 S.W.3d 563 (Tex. App. 2006). · cites it 2× “See TEX. FAM.CODE ANN. § 263.404 (Vernon 2002) (allowing trial court to appoint DFPS as managing conservator without termination of parental rights when trial court makes specific findings).”

in the Interest of A.L.H., Child, 468 S.W.3d 738 (Tex. App. 2015). “The trial court is allowed to appoint the Department as managing conservator of a child without terminating parental rights if the court finds that: (1) appointment of a parent as managing conservator would not be in the best interest of the child because the appointment would…”

in the Interest of J.Y., G.Y., & B.Y., Child., 528 S.W.3d 679 (Tex. App. 2017). “See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 263.404 (a) (West Supp.”

In the Interest of C.M., a Child, 208 S.W.3d 89 (Tex. App. 2006). · cites it 3× “*91 Discussion Doyle raises seven issues on appeal: (1) the trial court abused its discretion when it denied Doyle’s motion for continuance and request for a jury trial; (2) the trial court abused its discretion when it denied Doyle’s motion to dismiss; (3) an order appointing…”

in the Interest of A.L., M.L., & J.Y.R., Child., 389 S.W.3d 896 (Tex. App. 2012). “See Tex. Fam.Code § 263.404(a)(2). However, this rule applies only when the trial court issues a final order appointing the Department as managing conservator without terminating parental rights.”

In the Interest of S.K.A., M.A., & SA., Minor Child., 236 S.W.3d 875 (Tex. App. 2007). “, Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 263.404 (Vernon 2002).”

in the Interest of D.O., S.O., & M.L.O., Child., 338 S.W.3d 29 (Tex. App. 2011). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 263.404 (Vernon 2008) is titled “Final Order Appointing Department as Managing Conservator Without Terminating Parental Rights.”

In the Interest of T.S., E.S., V.S., 191 S.W.3d 736 (Tex. App. 2006). “See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 263.404 (Vernon 2002).”

Show all 60 citing cases →

— Tex. Fam. Code § 263.404(a) — 12 cases

In re Interest of J.J.G., 540 S.W.3d 44 (Tex. App. 2017). “See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 263.404 (Vernon Supp.”

in the Interest of C. D., J. D. & T. D., Child. (Tex. App. 2021).

C. O. v. Texas Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs. (Tex. App. 2022).

in the Interest of C. L. J. S. v. Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs. (Tex. App. 2018).

in the Interest of T.J. Child. (Tex. App. 2019).

— Tex. Fam. Code § 263.404(a)(2) — 3 cases

Rogers v. Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs., 175 S.W.3d 370 (Tex. App. 2005). “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 263.404(a)(2) (Vernon 2002).”

in the Interest of J.W. & E.W., Child. (Tex. App. 2011).

— Tex. Fam. Code § 263.404(b) — 7 cases

In re Interest of J.J.G., 540 S.W.3d 44 (Tex. App. 2017). “See Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 263.404 (Vernon Supp.”

in the Interest of R.L. AKA R.C. AKA R.M. & R.L., Child. (Tex. App. 2017).

in the Interest of J.J.G., L.K.G., H.A.G., & A.G.G v. Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs. (Tex. App. 2016).

in the Interest of C. L. J. S. v. Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs. (Tex. App. 2018).

in the Interest of D.L.W., J.A.W. & A.M.M., Child. v. Dep't of Fam. & Prot. Servs. (Tex. App. 2020).

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