Family law
Conservatorship
Texas termAlso called managing conservator or possessory conservator
Texas's term for what most states call custody: a parent's rights and duties toward a child. A parent may be named sole managing conservator, or both parents joint managing conservators.[1]
In more detail
Texas presumes a parent, or both parents, will be appointed managing conservator unless that would significantly impair the child's health or emotional development, and it bars joint appointment in some family violence cases.[1] The child's best interest is the primary consideration.[1]
Varies by state
This is a Texas term. Other states say custody, parental responsibility or decision-making. Find your state’s rules.
Related terms
- Legal custodyThe right and responsibility to make important decisions about a child, such as health care, education and welfare.
- Joint custodyCustody shared by both parents, either for decision-making (joint legal custody), for where the child lives (joint physical custody), or both.
- Best interests of the childThe standard courts use to decide custody, time-sharing and visitation: what arrangement is best for the child, rather than for either parent.
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Sources
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MediationList. (2026, October 28). Conservatorship: Definition. https://mediationlist.com/glossary/conservatorship/
APA 7th ed. A retrieval date is included only for pages whose content changes, such as maps, data and tools.