Texas Child Protection Law Bench Book

2024 version: As effective October 1, 2024

D. The Establishment of the Parent-Child Relationship

1. The Mother-Child Relationship

The mother-child relationship is established between a woman and a child by:

•   The woman giving birth to the child;

•   An adjudication of the woman's maternity; or

•   The adoption of the child by a woman. Tex. Fam. Code § 160.201(a).

2. The Father-Child Relationship

The father-child relationship is established between a man and a child by:

•   An unrebutted presumption of a man's paternity of the child under Tex. Fam. Code § 160.204;

•   An effective acknowledgment of paternity under Tex. Fam. Code Subchapter D, unless the acknowledgment has been rescinded or successfully challenged;

•   An adjudication of the man's paternity;

•   The adoption of a child by the man; or

•   The man's consenting to assisted reproduction by his wife under Tex. Fam. Code Subchapter H, which has resulted in the birth of the child. Tex. Fam. Code § 160.201(b).

3. Types of Fathers

•   Presumed

•   Alleged (or putative)

•   Acknowledged

•   Adjudicated

•   Unknown