Texas § FA.102.004 - STANDING FOR CERTAIN RELATIVES AND OTHER PERSONS

§ FA.102.004. STANDING FOR CERTAIN RELATIVES AND OTHER PERSONS

STANDING FOR CERTAIN RELATIVES AND OTHER PERSONS. (a) In addition to the general standing to file suit provided by Section 102.003 , a grandparent, or another relative of the child related within the fourth degree by consanguinity, may file an original suit requesting managing conservatorship if there is satisfactory proof to the court that: (1) the order requested is necessary because the child's present circumstances would significantly impair the child's physical health or emotional development; or (2) both parents, the surviving parent, or the managing conservator or custodian either filed the petition or consented to the suit. (b) An original suit requesting possessory conservatorship may not be filed by a grandparent or other relative or person. However, a grandparent or other relative or person may intervene in a pending suit under Subsection (b-1) or (b-2), as applicable. (b-1) A grandparent or other relative of the child within the fourth degree of consanguinity may intervene in a pending suit filed by a person authorized to do so under this chapter if there is satisfactory proof to the court that appointment of a parent as a sole managing conservator or both parents as joint managing conservators would significantly impair the child's physical health or emotional development. (b-2) The court may grant a person, other than a grandparent or other relative of the child within the fourth degree of consanguinity, subject to the requirements of Subsection (b-3) if applicable, deemed by the court to have had substantial past contact with the child leave to intervene in a pending suit filed by a person authorized to do so under this chapter if there is satisfactory proof to the court that appointment of a parent as a sole managing conservator or both parents as joint managing conservators would significantly impair the child's physical health or emotional development. The court may not grant a person leave to intervene under this subsection unless each parent consents to the intervention. (b-3) A foster parent, relative, or designated caregiver may only be granted leave to intervene under Subsection (b-2) if the foster parent, relative, or designated caregiver would have standing to file an original suit as provided by Section 102.003 (a)(11). (c) Possession of or access to a child by a grandparent is governed by the standards established by Chapter 153 . Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1048, Sec. 2, eff. June 18, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 916 (H.B. 260 ), Sec. 3, eff. June 18, 2005. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1406 (S.B. 758 ), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 341 (H.B. 1410 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 402 (H.B. 2350 ), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2025. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 402 (H.B. 2350 ), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2025.