Texas Child Protection Law Bench Book

2024 version: As effective October 1, 2024

B. Hearing

A hearing must be held within 60 days of filing and the petitioner has the burden of proof. The court must find by preponderance of the evidence that reinstatement of parental rights is in the child's best interest, the former parent has remedied the conditions that were the grounds for termination, the former parent is willing and capable of performing parental duties as provided in Tex. Fam. Code § 151.001, at least two years have passed since the order terminating parental rights was issued and no appeal of that order is pending, the child has not been adopted and is not the subject of an adoption placement agreement, and the child consents to the reinstatement and desires to reside with the parent (if older than 12). If the child is younger than 12 years old, the court shall consider the child's age, maturity, and ability to express a preference and may consider the child's preference regarding the reinstatement as one factor in making the determination. Tex. Fam. Code § 161.303.