What Rights and Duties Do Parents Have Under a Texas Conservatorship Order?

 Posted on April 05, 2026 in Child Custody

Receiving your first conservatorship order can feel overwhelming. You have just been through one of the hardest experiences of your life, and now you are holding a document filled with terms you may not understand. One of the most common questions parents ask after a child custody case is: What exactly does this order mean for me? 

Texas law does not just decide when you see your child. It also spells out specific rights and duties each parent must follow. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, about 34 percent of Texas children live in single-parent households, showing how common court-ordered parenting arrangements are. If you have questions about your order in 2026, our Houston, TX family law attorney can help you get answers.

What Is a Conservatorship Order in Texas?

If you have heard the word "custody," you may be surprised to learn that Texas family law does not use that term. Instead, Texas uses "conservatorship." A conservatorship order is the court's decision about how parents share responsibilities for their child after a divorce or separation. Most of the time, courts name both parents as joint managing conservators, meaning both share decision-making rights and duties. In some cases, one parent becomes the sole managing conservator, meaning that parent alone makes most major decisions.

Texas Family Code Section 153.073 lists the rights a conservator holds at all times. Other rights and duties may apply only while a parent has the child, or only if the court gives that parent exclusive authority.

What Rights Does Texas Give Parents with Shared Conservatorship? 

Even if you have less time with your child, you still hold important rights if you share conservatorship of your child. These belong to you no matter where your child is living:

• The right to receive information about your child's health, education, and welfare

• The right to speak with doctors, teachers, and other professionals involved in your child's life

• The right to attend school activities and talk with school officials about your child's welfare and education, subject to school rules

• The right to consent to emergency medical care when your child is with you

If one parent is withholding school records or blocking contact with your child's doctor, that can be a violation of your court order. You do not have to accept that.

What Are Exclusive Rights in Texas Conservatorship, and Who Holds Them?

Some decisions cannot be shared. Texas law may give one parent "exclusive rights" to decision-making in order to keep things stable for the child. The primary conservator most often holds exclusive rights. A custody order may give one parent the exclusive right to decide the child's primary residence, and in some cases, certain medical or educational decisions as well. The exact wording of your court order controls what applies to your situation.

If you believe the other parent is misusing their exclusive rights, a Harris County child custody attorney can review your order and explain your options. You do not have to figure this out alone.

What Duties Do Texas Parents Owe Their Child?

A parents’ rights are only one side of the equation. Texas law also assigns duties to both parents, and these are not optional. Both conservators must provide care, supervision, and support during their time with the child. Each parent must also notify the other promptly of any medical emergency. Each parent also has the duty to financially support their child. Millions of parents across Texas pay child support. According to the Texas Office of the Attorney General, the Child Support Division administers 1.5 million cases covering 1.7 million children across Texas. You are far from alone in navigating this.

If a parent is not meeting these duties, that can be grounds for a modification or enforcement action. You do not have to wait until things get worse.

What Can You Do If Your Co-Parent Is Not Following the Court Order?

Parents frequently violate custody orders. A co-parent may refuse to share school records or block access to a pediatrician’s records. One parent might make a major decision without telling the other parent until it is already done. These situations are frustrating, but you have options, and you have rights. Texas courts take violations of conservatorship orders seriously, and a family law attorney can help you document what is happening and enforce your order.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Houston, TX Family Law Attorney

If you are trying to make sense of your conservatorship order or feel your rights are not being respected, you deserve clear answers and someone in your corner. At The Cusic Law Firm, P.C., Attorney Dessiray W. Cusic has been Board Certified in family law since 2014 and is also a certified mediator who regularly handles family law cases. She and the team understand how hard this process can be, and they are here to help. 

Contact our Harris County custody lawyers today for a free consultation. Call 713-650-1866.