FAMILY CODE

TITLE 5. THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AND THE SUIT AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP

SUBTITLE A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

CHAPTER 103. VENUE AND TRANSFER OF ORIGINAL PROCEEDINGS

Sec. 103.001.  VENUE FOR ORIGINAL SUIT.  (a)  Except as otherwise provided by this title, an original suit shall be filed in the county where the child resides, unless:
(1)  another court has continuing exclusive jurisdiction under Chapter 155;  or
(2)  venue is fixed in a suit for dissolution of a marriage under Subchapter D, Chapter 6.
(b)  A suit in which adoption is requested may be filed in the county where the child resides or in the county where the petitioners reside, regardless of whether another court has continuing exclusive jurisdiction under Chapter 155.  Except as provided by Section 155.201, a court that has continuing exclusive jurisdiction is not required to transfer the suit affecting the parent-child relationship to the court in which the adoption suit is filed.
(c)  A child resides in the county where the child's parents reside or the child's parent resides, if only one parent is living, except that:
(1)  if a guardian of the person has been appointed by order of a county or probate court and a managing conservator has not been appointed, the child resides in the county where the guardian of the person resides;
(2)  if the parents of the child do not reside in the same county and if a managing conservator, custodian, or guardian of the person has not been appointed, the child resides in the county where the parent having actual care, control, and possession of the child resides;
(3)  if the child is in the care and control of an adult other than a parent and a managing conservator, custodian, or guardian of the person has not been appointed, the child resides where the adult having actual care, control, and possession of the child resides;
(4)  if the child is in the actual care, control, and possession of an adult other than a parent and the whereabouts of the parent and the guardian of the person is unknown, the child resides where the adult having actual possession, care, and control of the child resides;
(5)  if the person whose residence would otherwise determine venue has left the child in the care and control of the adult, the child resides where that adult resides;
(6)  if a guardian or custodian of the child has been appointed by order of a court of another state or country, the child resides in the county where the guardian or custodian resides if that person resides in this state;  or
(7)  if it appears that the child is not under the actual care, control, and possession of an adult, the child resides where the child is found.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 6.14, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by: 
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 944 (S.B. 206), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 722 (H.B. 369), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2019.

Sec. 103.002.  TRANSFER OF ORIGINAL PROCEEDINGS WITHIN STATE.  (a)  If venue of a suit is improper in the court in which an original suit is filed and no other court has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction of the suit, on the timely motion of a party other than the petitioner, the court shall transfer the proceeding to the county where venue is proper.
(b)  On a showing that a suit for dissolution of the marriage of the child's parents has been filed in another court, a court in which a suit is pending shall transfer the proceedings to the court where the dissolution of the marriage is pending.
(c)  The procedures in Chapter 155 apply to a transfer of:
(1)  an original suit under this section;  or
(2)  a suit for modification or a motion for enforcement under this title.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.

Sec. 103.003.  TRANSFER OF ORIGINAL SUIT WITHIN STATE WHEN PARTY OR CHILD RESIDES OUTSIDE STATE.  (a)  A court of this state in which an original suit is filed or in which a suit for child support is filed under Chapter 159 shall transfer the suit to the county of residence of the party who is a resident of this state if all other parties and children affected by the proceedings reside outside this state.
(b)  If one or more of the parties affected by the suit reside outside this state and if more than one party or one or more children affected by the proceeding reside in this state in different counties, the court shall transfer the suit according to the following priorities:
(1)  to the court of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction, if any;
(2)  to the county of residence of the child, if applicable, provided that:
(A)  there is no court of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction;  or
(B)  the court of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction finds that neither a party nor a child affected by the proceeding resides in the county of the court of continuing jurisdiction;  or
(3)  if Subdivisions (1) and (2) are inapplicable, to the county most appropriate to serve the convenience of the resident parties, the witnesses, and the interest of justice.
(c)  If a transfer of an original suit or suit for child support under Chapter 159 is sought under this section, Chapter 155 applies to the procedures for transfer of the suit.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.