{"data":{"id":"us-tx/tex.-family-code-153.601","jurisdiction":"us-tx","citation":"Tex. Family Code § 153.601","heading":"DEFINITIONS.","body":"In this subchapter:\n(1) \"Dispute resolution process\" means:\n(A) a process of alternative dispute resolution conducted in accordance with Section 153.0071 of this chapter and Chapter 154, Civil Practice and Remedies Code; or\n(B) any other method of voluntary dispute resolution.\n(2) \"High-conflict case\" means a suit affecting the parent-child relationship in which the court finds that the parties have demonstrated an unusual degree of:\n(A) repetitiously resorting to the adjudicative process;\n(B) anger and distrust; and\n(C) difficulty in communicating about and cooperating in the care of their children.\n(3) \"Parenting coordinator\" means an impartial third party:\n(A) who, regardless of the title by which the person is designated by the court, performs any function described by Section 153.606 in a suit; and\n(B) who:\n(i) is appointed under this subchapter by the court on its own motion or on a motion or agreement of the parties to assist parties in resolving parenting issues through confidential procedures; and\n(ii) is not appointed under another statute or a rule of civil procedure.\n(3-a) \"Parenting facilitator\" means an impartial third party:\n(A) who, regardless of the title by which the person is designated by the court, performs any function described by Section 153.6061 in a suit; and\n(B) who:\n(i) is appointed under this subchapter by the court on its own motion or on a motion or agreement of the parties to assist parties in resolving parenting issues through procedures that are not confidential; and\n(ii) is not appointed under another statute or a rule of civil procedure.\n(4) \"Parenting plan\" means the provisions of a final court order that:\n(A) set out rights and duties of a parent or a person acting as a parent in relation to the child;\n(B) provide for periods of possession of and access to the child, which may be the terms set out in the standard possession order under Subchapter F and any amendments to the standard possession order agreed to by the parties or found by the court to be in the best interest of the child;\n(C) provide for child support; and\n(D) optimize the development of a close and continuing relationship between each parent and the child.\nAdded by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 482 (H.B. 252), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2005.\nAmended by:\nActs 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1181 (H.B. 555), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2007.\nActs 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1113 (H.B. 1012), Sec. 16, eff. September 1, 2009.","path":["FAMILY CODE","TITLE 5. THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AND THE SUIT AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP","SUBTITLE B. SUITS AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP","CHAPTER 153. CONSERVATORSHIP, POSSESSION, AND ACCESS","SUBCHAPTER K. PARENTING PLAN, PARENTING COORDINATOR, AND PARENTING FACILITATOR"],"source_url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/FA/htm/FA.153.htm#153.601","current_through":"89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T01:47:10Z","sha256":"f5b0e22158405954854e62bcaac7f01239c914146bb3ff3b4cda86691af31d7f","source_id":"us-tx","stale":false,"prev":"us-tx/tex.-family-code-153.551","next":"us-tx/tex.-family-code-153.602"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}