Texas Family Code — Full Text Online

The Texas Family Code is the official state law covering family legal matters — from marriage and divorce to child custody, adoption, and protective orders. It is free to read online through the Texas Legislature's official website. If you live in Houston or Harris County, this is the same law your local family courts use every day.

The Texas Family Code is organized into several titles. Early titles cover marriage and children. Later titles address the juvenile justice system, protective orders, family violence, and suits affecting the parent-child relationship. Common topics include divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, termination of parental rights, and premarital agreements. The code is updated regularly by the Texas Legislature, so always confirm you are reading the most current version.

Use the online text to look up a specific topic — such as child support rules or grounds for divorce — before or after meeting with an attorney. Knowing the basics helps you follow along, ask sharper questions, and understand documents you receive from a court. For anything complex, pair your reading with advice from a licensed Texas family law attorney who can apply the law to your specific facts.

No fixed date

Not location-specific

Harris County family courts operate directly under the Texas Family Code. If you are dealing with a custody agreement, divorce filing, protective order, or adoption in Houston, the sections in this code set the rules your case will follow. Local legal aid organizations and the Houston Bar Association may offer referrals if you need help finding an attorney.

Knowing the law that applies to your situation can help you ask better questions, understand your rights, and work more effectively with an attorney or court. The Texas Family Code is the starting point for nearly every family legal matter in Texas — including yours if you live in Houston or Harris County.