Monday, November 21, 2016

We dont need new laws in Texas regarding conservatory we need enforcement.

2005 Texas Family Code CHAPTER 153. CONSERVATORSHIP, POSSESSION, AND ACCESS FAMILY CODE CHAPTER 153. CONSERVATORSHIP, POSSESSION, AND ACCESS

 SUB CHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS § 153.001. PUBLIC POLICY. (a) The public policy of this state is to: (1) assure that children will have frequent and continuing contact with parents who have shown the ability to act in the best interest of the child; (2) provide a safe, stable, and nonviolent environment for the child; and (3) encourage parents to share in the rights and duties of raising their child after the parents have separated or dissolved their marriage. (b) A court may not render an order that conditions the right of a conservator to possession of or access to a child on the payment of child support.

 Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, § 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 751, § 25, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 787, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. § 153.002. BEST INTEREST OF CHILD. 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. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, § 1, eff. April 20, 1995. § 153.003. NO DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEX OR MARITAL STATUS.

 The court shall consider the qualifications of the parties without regard to their marital status or to the sex of the party or the child in determining: (1) which party to appoint as sole managing conservator; (2) whether to appoint a party as joint managing conservator; and (3) the terms and conditions of conservatorship and possession of and access to the child. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, § 1, eff. April 20, 1995. § 153.004. HISTORY OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. (a) In determining whether to appoint a party as a sole or joint managing conservator, the court shall consider evidence of the intentional use of abusive physical force by a party against the party's spouse, a parent of the child, or any person younger than 18 years of age committed within a two-year period preceding the filing of the suit or during the pendency of the suit.

 (b) The court may not appoint joint managing conservators if credible evidence is presented of a history or pattern of past or present child neglect, or physical or sexual abuse by one parent directed against the other parent, a spouse, or a child, including a sexual assault in violation of Section 22.011 or 22.021, Penal Code, that results in the other parent becoming pregnant with the child. A history of sexual abuse includes a sexual assault that results in the other parent becoming pregnant with the child, regardless of the prior relationship of the parents.

 It is a rebuttable presumption that the appointment of a parent as the sole managing conservator of a child or as the conservator who has the exclusive right to determine the primary residence of a child is not in the best interest of the child if credible evidence is presented of a history or pattern of past or present child neglect, or physical or sexual abuse by that parent directed against the other parent, a spouse, or a child. (c) The court shall consider the commission of family violence in determining whether to deny, restrict, or limit the possession of a child by a parent who is appointed as a possessory
conservator

. (d) The court may not allow a parent to have access to a child for whom it is shown by a preponderance of the evidence that there is a history or pattern of committing family violence during the two years preceding the date of the filing of the suit or during the pendency of the suit, unless the court:

 (1) finds that awarding the parent access to the child would not endanger the child's physical health or emotional welfare and would be in the best interest of the child; and (2) renders a possession order that is designed to protect the safety and well-being of the child and any other person who has been a victim of family violence committed by the parent and that may include a requirement that:

 (A) the periods of access be continuously supervised by an entity or person chosen by the court; (B) the exchange of possession of the child occur in a protective setting; (C) the parent abstain from the consumption of alcohol or a controlled substance, as defined by Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, within 12 hours prior to or during the period of access to the child; or (D) the parent attend and complete a battering intervention and prevention program as provided by Article 42.141, Code of Criminal Procedure, or, if such a program is not available, complete a course of treatment under Section 153.010.

 (e) It is a rebuttable presumption that it is not in the best interest of a child for a parent to have unsupervised visitation with the child if credible evidence is presented of a history or pattern of past or present child neglect or physical or sexual abuse by that parent directed against the other parent, a spouse, or a child. (f) In determining under this section whether there is credible evidence of a history or pattern of past or present child neglect or physical or sexual abuse by a parent directed against the other parent, a spouse, or a child, the court shall consider whether a protective order was rendered under Chapter 85, Title 4, against the parent during the two-year period preceding the filing of the suit or during the pendency of the suit. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, § 1, eff. April 20, 1995.

 Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 774, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 787, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 586, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 642, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. § 153.005. APPOINTMENT OF SOLE OR JOINT MANAGING CONSERVATOR. (a) In a suit, the court may appoint a sole managing conservator or may appoint joint managing conservators. If the parents are or will be separated, the court shall appoint at least one managing conservator. (b) A managing conservator must be a parent, a competent adult, an authorized agency, or a licensed child-placing agency. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, § 1, eff. April 20, 1995. § 153.006. APPOINTMENT OF POSSESSORY CONSERVATOR. (a) If a managing conservator is appointed, the court may appoint one or more possessory conservators.

 (b) The court shall specify the rights and duties of a person appointed possessory conservator. (c) The court shall specify and expressly state in the order the times and conditions for possession of or access to the child, unless a party shows good cause why specific orders would not be in the best interest of the child. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, § 1, eff. April 20, 1995. § 153.007. AGREED PARENTING PLAN.

 (a) To promote the amicable settlement of disputes between the parties to a suit, the parties may enter into a written agreed parenting plan containing provisions for conservatorship and possession of the child and for modification of the parenting plan, including variations from the standard possession order. (b) If the court finds that the agreed parenting plan is in the child's best interest, the court shall render an order in accordance with the parenting plan.

 (c) Terms of the agreed parenting plan contained in the order or incorporated by reference regarding conservatorship or support of or access to a child in an order may be enforced by all remedies available for enforcement of a judgment, including contempt, but are not enforceable as a contract. (d) If the court finds the agreed parenting plan is not in the child's best interest, the court may request the parties to submit a revised parenting plan or the court may render an order for the conservatorship and possession of the child.

 Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, § 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 751, § 26, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 482, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2005. § 153.0071. ALTERNATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES. (a) On written agreement of the parties, the court may refer a suit affecting the parent-child relationship to arbitration. The agreement must state whether the arbitration is binding or non-binding. (b) If the parties agree to binding arbitration, the court shall render an order reflecting the arbitrator's award unless the court determines at a non-jury hearing that the award is not in the best interest of the child.

 The burden of proof at a hearing under this subsection is on the party seeking to avoid rendition of an order based on the arbitrator's award. (c) On the written agreement of the parties or on the court's own motion, the court may refer a suit affecting the parent-child relationship to mediation. (d) A mediated settlement agreement is binding on the parties if the agreement: (1) provides, in a prominently displayed statement that is in boldfaced type or capital letters or underlined, that the agreement is not subject to revocation; (2) is signed by each party to the agreement; and (3) is signed by the party's attorney, if any, who is present at the time the agreement is signed.

 (e) If a mediated settlement agreement meets the requirements of Subsection (d), a party is entitled to judgment on the mediated settlement agreement notwithstanding Rule 11, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, or another rule of law. (e-1) Notwithstanding Subsections (d) and (e), a court may decline to enter a judgment on a mediated settlement agreement if the court finds that: (1) a party to the agreement was a victim of family violence, and that circumstance impaired the party's ability to make decisions; and (2) the agreement is not in the child's best interest. (f) A party may at any time prior to the final mediation order file a written objection to the referral of a suit affecting the parent-child relationship to mediation on the basis of family violence having been committed by another party against the objecting party or a child who is the subject of the suit.

 After an objection is filed, the suit may not be referred to mediation unless, on the request of a party, a hearing is held and the court finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not support the objection. If the suit is referred to mediation, the court shall order appropriate measures be taken to ensure the physical and emotional safety of the party who filed the objection. The order shall provide that the parties not be required to have face-to-face contact and that the parties be placed in separate rooms during mediation. This subsection does not apply to suits filed under Chapter 262. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 751, § 27, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 937, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 178, § 7, eff. Aug. 30, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1351, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 916, § 7, eff. June 18, 2005.

IT HAS TO BE IN THE INTEREST OF THE CHILD. Family court must understand they cannot simply remove children from father to mother because mother makes less money compared to father. This is a practice that is clearly illegal and has to to be brought to an end. § 153.0072. COLLABORATIVE LAW.

 (a) On a written agreement of the parties and their attorneys, a suit affecting the parent-child relationship may be conducted under collaborative law procedures. (b) Collaborative law is a procedure in which the parties and their counsel agree in writing to use their best efforts and make a good faith attempt to resolve the suit affecting the parent-child relationship on an agreed basis without resorting to judicial intervention except to have the court approve the settlement agreement, make the legal pronouncements, and sign the orders required by law to effectuate the agreement of the parties as the court determines appropriate.

 The parties' counsel may not serve as litigation counsel except to ask the court to approve the settlement agreement. (c) A collaborative law agreement must include provisions for: (1) full and candid exchange of information between the parties and their attorneys as necessary to make a proper evaluation of the case; (2) suspending court intervention in the dispute while the parties are using collaborative law procedures; (3) hiring experts, as jointly agreed, to be used in the procedure; (4) withdrawal of all counsel involved in the collaborative law procedure if the collaborative law procedure does not result in settlement of the dispute; and (5) other provisions as agreed to by the parties consistent with a good faith effort to collaboratively settle the matter. (d) Notwithstanding Rule 11, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, or another rule or law, a party is entitled to judgment on a collaborative law settlement agreement if the agreement:

 (1) provides, in a prominently displayed statement that is boldfaced, capitalized, or underlined, that the agreement is not subject to revocation; and (2) is signed by each party to the agreement and the attorney of each party. (e) Subject to Subsection (g), a court that is notified 30 days before trial that the parties are using collaborative law procedures to attempt to settle a dispute may not, until a party notifies the court that the collaborative law procedures did not result in a settlement: (1) set a hearing or trial in the case; (2) impose discovery deadlines; (3) require compliance with scheduling orders; or (4) dismiss the case. (f) The parties shall notify the court if the collaborative law procedures result in a settlement. If they do not, the parties shall file:

 (1) a status report with the court not later than the 180th day after the date of the written agreement to use the procedures; and (2) a status report on or before the first anniversary of the date of the written agreement to use the procedures, accompanied by a motion for continuance that the court shall grant if the status report indicates the desire of the parties to continue to use collaborative law procedures. (g) If the collaborative law procedures do not result in a settlement on or before the second anniversary of the date that the suit was filed, the court may:

 (1) set the suit for trial on the regular docket; or (2) dismiss the suit without prejudice. (h) The provisions for confidentiality of alternative dispute resolution procedures as provided in Chapter 154, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, apply equally to collaborative law procedures under this section. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1022, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2001. Amended by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 916, § 8, eff. June 18, 2005. § 153.008. CHILD'S PREFERENCE OF PERSON TO DESIGNATE RESIDENCE

. A child 12 years of age or older may file with the court in writing the name of the person who is the child's preference to have the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the child, subject to the approval of the court. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, § 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1390, § 12, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1289, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1036, § 5, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. § 153.009. INTERVIEW OF CHILD IN CHAMBERS. (a) In a nonjury trial or at a hearing, on the application of a party, the amicus attorney, or the attorney ad litem for the child, the court shall interview in chambers a child 12 years of age or older and may interview in chambers a child under 12 years of age to determine the child's wishes as to conservatorship or as to the person who shall have the exclusive right to determine the child's primary residence.

 The court may also interview a child in chambers on the court's own motion for a purpose specified by this subsection. (b) In a nonjury trial or at a hearing, on the application of a party, the amicus attorney, or the attorney ad litem for the child or on the court's own motion, the court may interview the child in chambers to determine the child's wishes as to possession, access, or any other issue in the suit affecting the parent-child relationship. (c) Interviewing a child does not diminish the discretion of the court in determining the best interests of the child. (d) In a jury trial, the court may not interview the child in chambers regarding an issue on which a party is entitled to a jury verdict. 

(e) In any trial or hearing, the court may permit the attorney for a party, the amicus attorney, the guardian ad litem for the child, or the attorney ad litem for the child to be present at the interview. (f) On the motion of a party, the amicus attorney, or the attorney ad litem for the child, or on the court's own motion, the court shall cause a record of the interview to be made when the child is 12 years of age or older. A record of the interview shall be part of the record in the case. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, § 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 781, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1289, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 916, § 9, eff. June 18, 2005. § 153.010. ORDER FOR FAMILY COUNSELING.

 (a) If the court finds at the time of a hearing that the parties have a history of conflict in resolving an issue of conservatorship or possession of or access to the child, the court may order a party to: (1) participate in counseling with a mental health professional who: (A) has a background in family therapy; (B) has a mental health license that requires as a minimum a master's degree; and (C) has training in domestic violence if the court determines that the training is relevant to the type of counseling needed; and (2) pay the cost of counseling. (b) If a person possessing the requirements of Subsection (a)(1) is not available in the county in which the court presides, the court may appoint a person the court believes is qualified to conduct the counseling ordered under Subsection (a). Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, § 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 645, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. § 153.011. SECURITY BOND.

 If the court finds that a person who has a possessory interest in a child may violate the court order relating to the interest, the court may order the party to execute a bond or deposit security. The court shall set the amount and condition the bond or security on compliance with the order. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, § 1, eff. April 20, 1995. § 153.012. RIGHT TO PRIVACY; DELETION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION IN RECORDS.

 The court may order the custodian of records to delete all references in the records to the place of residence of either party appointed as a conservator of the child before the release of the records to another party appointed as a conservator. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, § 1, eff. April 20, 1995. § 153.013. FALSE REPORT OF CHILD ABUSE. (a) If a party to a pending suit affecting the parent-child relationship makes a report alleging child abuse by another party to the suit that the reporting party knows lacks a factual foundation, the court shall deem the report to be a knowingly false report. (b) Evidence of a false report of child abuse is admissible in a suit between the involved parties regarding the terms of conservatorship of a child. (c) If the court makes a finding under Subsection (a), the court shall impose a civil penalty not to exceed $500. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 751, § 28, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 786, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. § 153.014. VISITATION CENTERS AND VISITATION EXCHANGE FACILITIES.

 A county may establish a visitation center or a visitation exchange facility for the purpose of facilitating the terms of a court order providing for the possession of or access to a child. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 577, § 1, eff. June 11, 2001. SUBCHAPTER B. PARENT APPOINTED AS CONSERVATOR: IN GENERAL § 153.071. COURT TO SPECIFY RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF PARENT APPOINTED A CONSERVATOR. If both parents are appointed as conservators of the child, the court shall specify the rights and duties of a parent that are to be exercised: (1) by each parent independently; (2) by the joint agreement of the parents; and (3) exclusively by one parent. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, § 1, eff. April 20, 1995. § 153.072. WRITTEN FINDING REQUIRED TO LIMIT PARENTAL RIGHTS AND DUTIES.

 The court may limit the rights and duties of a parent appointed as a conservator if the court makes a written finding that the limitation is in the best interest of the child. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, § 1, eff. April 20, 1995. § 153.073. RIGHTS OF PARENT AT ALL TIMES. (a) Unless limited by court order, a parent appointed as a conservator of a child has at all times the right: (1) to receive information from any other conservator of the child concerning the health, education, and welfare of the child; (2) to confer with the other parent to the extent possible before making a decision concerning the health, education, and welfare of the child; (3) of access to medical, dental, psychological, and educational records of the child; (4) to consult with a physician, dentist, or psychologist of the child; (5) to consult with school officials concerning the child's welfare and educational status, including school activities; (6) to attend school activities; (7) to be designated on the child's records as a person to be notified in case of an emergency; (8) to consent to medical, dental, and surgical treatment during an emergency involving an immediate danger to the health and safety of the child; and (9) to manage the estate of the child to the extent the estate has been created by the parent or the parent's family. (b) The court shall specify in the order the rights that a parent retains at all times.

 Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, § 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 751, § 29, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1036, § 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. § 153.074. RIGHTS AND DUTIES DURING PERIOD OF POSSESSION. Unless limited by court order, a parent appointed as a conservator of a child has the following rights and duties during the period that the parent has possession of the child: (1) the duty of care, control, protection, and reasonable discipline of the child; (2) the duty to support the child, including providing the child with clothing, food, shelter, and medical and dental care not involving an invasive procedure; (3) the right to consent for the child to medical and dental care not involving an invasive procedure; and (4) the right to direct the moral and religious training of the child. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, § 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 751, § 30, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1036, § 7, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. § 153.075. DUTIES OF PARENT NOT APPOINTED CONSERVATOR.

 The court may order a parent not appointed as a managing or a possessory conservator to perform other parental duties, including paying child support. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, § 1, eff. April 20, 1995. § 153.076. DUTY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION. (a) The court shall order that each conservator of a child has a duty to inform the other conservator of the child in a timely manner of significant information concerning the health, education, and welfare of the child. (b) The court shall order that each conservator of a child has the duty to inform the other conservator of the child if the conservator resides with for at least 30 days, marries, or intends to marry a person who the conservator knows:

 (1) is registered as a sex offender under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure; or (2) is currently charged with an offense for which on conviction the person would be required to register under that chapter. (c) The notice required to be made under Subsection (b) must be made as soon as practicable but not later than the 40th day after the date the conservator of the child begins to reside with the person or the 10th day after the date the marriage occurs, as appropriate.

 The notice must include a description of the offense that is the basis of the person's requirement to register as a sex offender or of the offense with which the person is charged. (d) A conservator commits an offense if the conservator fails to provide notice in the manner required by Subsections (b) and (c). An offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 751, § 31, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 330, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1036, § 8, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. SUBCHAPTER C. PARENT APPOINTED AS SOLE OR JOINT MANAGING CONSERVATOR § 153.131. PRESUMPTION

THAT PARENT TO BE APPOINTED MANAGING CONSERVATOR. (a) Subject to the prohibition in Section 153.004, unless the court finds that appointment of the parent or parents would not be in the best interest of the child because the appointment would significantly impair the child's physical health or emotional development, a parent shall be appointed sole managing conservator or both parents shall be appointed as joint managing conservators of the child. (b) It is a rebuttable presumption that the appointment of the parents of a child as joint managing conservators is in the best interest of the child.

 A finding of a history of family violence involving the parents of a child removes the presumption under this subsection. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, § 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 751, § 32, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1193, § 20, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. § 153.132. RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF PARENT APPOINTED SOLE MANAGING CONSERVATOR. Unless limited by court order, a parent appointed as sole managing conservator of a child has the rights and duties provided by Subchapter B and the following exclusive rights: (1) the right to designate the primary residence of the child; (2) the right to consent to medical, dental, and surgical treatment involving invasive procedures; (3) the right to consent to psychiatric and psychological treatment; (4) the right to receive and give receipt for periodic payments for the support of the child and to hold or disburse these funds for the benefit of the child; (5) the right to represent the child in legal action and to make other decisions of substantial legal significance concerning the child; (6) the right to consent to marriage and to enlistment in the armed forces of the United States; (7) the right to make decisions concerning the child's education; (8) the right to the services and earnings of the child; and (9) except when a guardian of the child's estate or a guardian or attorney ad litem has been appointed for the child, the right to act as an agent of the child in relation to the child's estate if the child's action is required by a state, the United States, or a foreign government.

 Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, § 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 751, § 33, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1036, § 9, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 916, § 10, eff. June 18, 2005. § 153.133. PARENTING PLAN FOR JOINT MANAGING CONSERVATORSHIP. (a) If a written agreed parenting plan is filed with the court, the court shall render an order appointing the parents as joint managing conservators only if the parenting plan: (1) designates the conservator who has the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the child and: (A) establishes, until modified by further order, the geographic area within which the conservator shall maintain the child's primary residence; or (B) specifies that the conservator may designate the child's primary residence without regard to geographic location; (2) specifies the rights and duties of each parent regarding the child's physical care, support, and education; (3) includes provisions to minimize disruption of the child's education, daily routine, and association with friends; (4) allocates between the parents, independently, jointly, or exclusively, all of the remaining rights and duties of a parent provided by Chapter 151; (5) is voluntarily and knowingly made by each parent and has not been repudiated by either parent at the time the order is rendered; and (6) is in the best interest of the child. (b) The agreed parenting plan must contain an alternative dispute resolution procedure that the parties agree to use before requesting enforcement or modification of the terms and conditions of the joint conservatorship through litigation, except in an emergency.

 Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, § 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 936, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1036, § 10, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 482, § 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2005. § 153.134. COURT-ORDERED JOINT CONSERVATORSHIP. (a) If a written agreed parenting plan is not filed with the court, the court may render an order appointing the parents joint managing conservators only if the appointment is in the best interest of the child, considering the following factors: (1) whether the physical, psychological, or emotional needs and development of the child will benefit from the appointment of joint managing conservators; (2) the ability of the parents to give first priority to the welfare of the child and reach shared decisions in the child's best interest; (3) whether each parent can encourage and accept a positive relationship between the child and the other parent; (4) whether both parents participated in child rearing before the filing of the suit; (5) the geographical proximity of the parents' residences; (6) if the child is 12 years of age or older, the child's preference, if any, regarding the person to have the exclusive right to designate the primary residence of the child; and (7) any other relevant factor.

 (b) In rendering an order appointing joint managing conservators, the court shall: (1) designate the conservator who has the exclusive right to determine the primary residence of the child and: (A) establish, until modified by further order, a geographic area within which the conservator shall maintain the child's primary residence; or (B) specify that the conservator may determine the child's primary residence without regard to geographic location; (2) specify the rights and duties of each parent regarding the child's physical care, support, and education; (3) include provisions to minimize disruption of the child's education, daily routine, and association with friends; (4) allocate between the parents, independently, jointly, or exclusively, all of the remaining rights and duties of a parent as provided by Chapter 151; and (5) if feasible, recommend that the parties use an alternative dispute resolution method before requesting enforcement or modification of the terms and conditions of the joint conservatorship through litigation Family court 246 Houston consider conservatorship as a tool to punish a parent they do not support.

 The court curtail evidence and frame trials to support one side of a divorce trial. An entire case conducted over a two day period does not once mention the best interest of the child. The judges rendition eliminated and discussion regarding the best interest of the child, and the attorney given by the court to write the final decree placed all emphasis on the debts of the mother and needs associated with her poor lifestyle decisions. Family court 246 seem to consider 50/50 parenting as nonsense and ignores the fact that this is the preference of State law makers.

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