What to Know About the 2025 Texas Family Code Changes

The Texas Family Code governs all family law cases in the state—and like other laws, it evolves over time. One thing that sets great family law attorneys apart is their ability to stay ahead of these changes and understand how to apply them to real-world cases.

In 2025, as they do every two years, the Texas Legislature passed several updates that affect how family courts operate. If you’re currently involved in a family law case or preparing to be, it’s worth understanding the highlights. Your attorney should already be up to speed, but being informed helps you take a more active, empowered role in your case.

Key Changes to the Texas Family Code in 2025

• Stronger enforcement around visitation violations

• Expanded protections for victims of family violence

• Child support adjustments with a higher income cap

• Stricter requirements for non-parents seeking custody or visitation

• Extended Standard Possession Orders (ESPO) as the new default

While there are many smaller adjustments across the Texas Family Code, these are some of the most likely to impact everyday families. Here’s what each one means in plain language.

Stronger Enforcement for Visitation Orders

House Bill 3181 gives courts more authority to act when a parent repeatedly violates visitation orders.

If a parent has been found in contempt three or more times for denying visitation, that pattern alone is now enough to justify a modification of custody or visitation terms. Judges must also award attorney’s fees and costs in those cases, and they can’t suspend enforcement penalties through community supervision.

What this means for families:
If you’ve been repeatedly denied visitation, you now have a clearer path to request a modification. On the flip side, parents who ignore court-ordered visitation can expect stricter consequences.

Source: Texas Legislature Online – HB 3181

Expanded Protections in Family Violence Cases

Texas has strengthened several areas of the Family Code related to protective orders.

Under House Bill 793, courts are now required—not just allowed—to keep a victim’s address and contact information confidential upon request.

Senate Bill 1559 also ensures that protective orders take priority when they conflict with divorce or custody orders, meaning safety protections can’t be overridden during other proceedings.

What this means:
These changes reduce the burden on survivors, making privacy protections automatic and consistent across courts.

Sources: Texas Bar Journal, Legislative Update

Child Support Adjustments: Higher Maximum Net Resources

Starting in 2025, the Texas Office of the Attorney General will raise the maximum net resources cap used for calculating child support from $9,200 to $11,700 per month.

The percentage guidelines (20% for one child, 25% for two, etc.) remain the same, but this higher cap means larger payments may apply to higher earners.

Existing orders won’t automatically change. To adjust support, a parent must still show a material change in circumstances or that three years have passed since the last order, which is the standard requirement for support adjustments.

What this means:

• If you receive child support and the paying parent earns above the old cap, you may be eligible for a modification.
• If you pay support and your income exceeds the old limit, expect potential filings for review.

Source: Sisemore Law Firm, 2025 Family Code Changes

Narrower Standing for Non-Parents

Lawmakers have tightened who qualifies to file or intervene in custody-related cases.

Under House Bill 2350, non-parents—such as stepparents or relatives—must now show exclusive care and control of a child for a defined period, not just “actual care and possession.” Some prior exceptions, like automatic standing for stepparents after a parent’s death, have been removed.

What this means:
The law now gives stronger weight to parental rights while still allowing caregivers with significant, long-term involvement to seek standing when appropriate.

Source: Texas Bar Journal, Legislative Update

Extended Standard Possession Orders (ESPO) Are Now the Default

The Expanded Standard Possession Order (ESPO) has replaced the old Standard Possession Order as the new default schedule for parents living within 50 miles of their children.

The ESPO grants additional parenting time: Thursday overnight visits and weekend stays that extend until Monday morning instead of Sunday evening.

While this isn’t a true 50/50 custody arrangement, it allows children to spend more balanced time with both parents—something the Legislature views as beneficial for stability and well-being.

The ESPO applies automatically to new custody orders issued on or after September 1, 2025. Parents with existing orders must file for modification to adopt it.

Additional Notable Updates

• Qualifications and responsibilities for amicus attorneys and custody evaluators have been refined to increase transparency and accountability.
• The Family Code now uses consistent language for attorney’s fees and costs, improving clarity across different sections.

What These Changes Mean for Families

These updates are not a complete list of every change made as a result of the 2025 Texas Legislative session. However the overall takeaway of these and other updates reflect Texas’ ongoing focus on enforcement, safety, and consistency in family law.
They reinforce the importance of parental accountability, victim protection, and child-focused custody arrangements.

If you already have standing orders, these updates might open the door for modification—or require a closer look at compliance. If you’re beginning a case, your attorney can help you understand how these changes may affect your strategy.

What to Do Next

If you’re in the middle of a divorce, custody dispute, or child support case, now is the time to review your orders and understand how the 2025 Family Code changes could affect you.

If you live in Fort Worth, TX or surrounding areas, and have questions about your rights or next steps, contact McNulty Law Firm. Our team can help you interpret the new laws, evaluate your options, and take proactive steps to protect your family’s future.