Legal Research Guides > Child Custody & Support (last updated: 03/13/2024)
General Information
Texaslawhelp.org contains several research articles about Child Custody & Support in Texas. Read More.
Texas Attorney General provides some general information on their Child Support Page.
Texas Laws
Texas Family Code
Agreed Parenting Plan—Tex. Fam. Code § 153.007
Appointment of Nonparent as Conservator—Tex. Fam. Code §§ 153.371-153.377
Appointment of Possessory Conservator—Tex. Fam. Code § 153.006
Appointment of Sole or Joint Managing Conservator—Tex. Fam. Code § 153.005
Best Interest of the Child—Tex. Fam. Code § 153.002
Child Support Guidelines—Tex. Fam. Code §§ 154.121-154.133
Court-Ordered Child Support—Tex. Fam. Code §§ 154-.001-154.017
Duties of Parent Not Appointed Conservator—Tex. Fam. Code § 153.075
Guidelines for the Possession of a Child by a Parent Named as Possessory Conservator—Tex. Fam. Code §§ 153.251-153.258
Interview of Child in Chambers—Tex. Fam. Code § 153.009
Medical Support and Dental Support for Child—Tex. Fam. Code §§ 154.181-154.193
Parent Appointed As Possessory Conservator—Tex. Fam. Code §§ 153.191-153.193
Parent Appointed As Sole or Managing Joint Conservator—Tex. Fam. Code §§ 153.131-153.138
Rights and Duties During Period of Possession—Tex. Fam. Code § 153.074
Rights of Parent at All Times—Tex. Fam. Code § 153.073
Standard Possession Order—Tex. Fam. Code §§ 153.3101-3171
Support for a Minor or Adult Disabled Child—Tex. Fam. Code §§ 154.301-154.309
Court Rules
Court Rules
*Be sure to check the website of the court to which you are assigned. Policies, procedures, and requirements may vary from court to court.
Forms
Online
Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR) (Filed by parent)
Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (SAPCR) (Filed by nonparent)
I want to register my custody orders from another state in Texas
Print (Available at the Law Library)
The Handbook of Texas Family Law: A Quick Reference Guide to the Texas Family Code (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library and through Westlaw Patron Access Remote)
O’Connor’s Texas Family Law Forms (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library)
Texas Family Law Practice and Procedure (Also available online through the Law Library’s LexisNexis Digital Library)
Texas Jurisprudence Pleadings and Practice Forms (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library and through Westlaw Patron Access Remote)
Texas Legal Practice Forms (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library and through Westlaw Patron Access Remote)
Texas Litigation Guide (Dorsaneo) (Also available online through the Law Library’s LexisNexis Digital Library)
Texas Practice Guide. Family Law (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library and through Westlaw Patron Access Remote)
West’s Texas Forms (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library and through Westlaw Patron Access Remote)
Print Resources
Children and the Law in a nutshell, By Douglas E. Abrams, Susan Vivian Mangold, and Sarah H. Ramsey. Chapter 8. Financial Responsibility and Control provides a brief overview of the child support obligation.
Family law in a nutshell, By John E.B. Myers, West Academic Publishing. Chapter 7, Child Custody, addresses some of the considerations that may affect a custody determination and discusses pertinent statues, such as the Uniform Child Custody jurisdiction and Enforcement Act. Chapter 8, Child Support, looks at the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act and income factors in child support decisions.
Handbook of Texas Family Law (Texas Practice Vol. 33), By John F. Elder. Chapters 15-18 discusses managing conservatorship, possessory conservatorship, visitation and grandparent access, and child support. (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library.)
Handling Child Custody, Abuse and Adoption Cases, By Ann M. Haralambie. This book provides an in-depth look at child custody. Topics include the rights of unmarried parents, custody incident to dissolution of marriage, visitation, and some special issues, such as the lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered parent and the physically disabled parent.
Military divorce handbook, By Mark E. Sullivan, American Bar Association. This book delves into the unique issues that military personnel face when divorcing. Chapter 3 focuses on custody and visitation. There is also a detailed discussion of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (Also available online through the Law Library’s LexisNexis Digital Library.)
Nolo’s Essential Guide to Divorce, By Emily Doskow, Nolo. Chapter 6 addresses custody decisions and parenting while Chapter 7 discusses custody disputes. Information about child support can be found in Chapter 8. (Also available through the Law Library’s EBCSO Legal Information Reference Center.)
Texas Practice Guide. Family Law. By Ike Vanden Eykel and Kathryn J. Murphy. Chapter 11, Conservatorship, examines all aspects of conservatorship including conservatorship determinations, possessory conservatorship, possession, enforcement, and nonparent conservators. Chapter 12, Child Support, looks at the initial determination of support, forms of support, enforcement, and the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act. (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library.)
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Resources: The State Bar of Texas requires licensed attorneys to take 15 credits of CLE each year. CLE courses typically focus on a particular area of law and might include legal theory, practice tips and guidance, developments in the law, or legislative updates. CLEs are secondary resources that are especially useful in that they provide current information about legal topics and issues.
State Bar of Texas Annual Marriage Dissolution Institute
State Bar of Texas Annual Advanced Family Law Course
State Bar of Texas Family 101 Course