Texas Child Protection Law Bench Book

2024 version: As effective October 1, 2024

A. Procedures after Order Authorizing Removal

1. Duration of Temporary Order, Temporary Restraining Order, and Attachment

A temporary order, temporary restraining order, or attachment of the child issued under Tex. Fam. Code § 262.102(a) expires not later than 14 days after the date it is issued unless it is extended as provided by Tex. R. Civ. P. 680 or Tex. Fam. Code § 262.201(a-5), (e), or (e-1). Tex. Fam. Code § 262.103.

2. Temporary Managing Conservatorship

The court has the authority to issue a temporary order as described in Tex. Fam. Code § 105.001, including an order for temporary conservatorship of a child, which may be rendered without notice and an Adversary Hearing if the order is an emergency order sought by a governmental entity. Tex. Fam. Code § 105.001(h).

The best interest of the child shall always be the primary consideration of the court in determining the issues of conservatorship and possession of and access to the child. Tex. Fam. Code § 153.002.

The managing conservator must be a parent, a competent adult, DFPS, or a licensed child-placing agency. Tex. Fam. Code § 153.005(b).

A voluntary agreement to temporary managing conservatorship cannot be used as an admission by the parent that the parent engaged in conduct that endangered the child. Tex. Fam. Code § 262.013.

The rights and duties of a non-parent appointed as managing conservator are listed in Tex. Fam. Code § 153.371.

A temporary order in a suit affecting a parent-child relationship rendered in accordance with Tex. Fam. Code § 105.001 is not required to include a temporary parenting plan. The court may not require the submission of a temporary parenting plan in any case by local rule or practice. Tex. Fam. Code § 153.602.

3. Setting Date for Full Adversary Hearing

Unless the child has already been returned to the parent, managing conservator, possessory conservator, guardian, caretaker, or custodian entitled to possession and the temporary order, if any, has been dissolved, a full Adversary Hearing shall be held not later than the 14th day after the date of the child was taken into possession by the governmental entity, unless the court grants an extension under Tex. Fam. Code § 262.201(e) or (e-1). Tex. Fam. Code § 262.201(a).