Appeals in Family Courts in Texas

APPEALS Sec. 109.001. TEMPORARY ORDERS DURING PENDENCY OF APPEAL. (a) Not later than the 30th day after the date an appeal is perfected, on the motion of any party or on the court's own motion and after notice and hearing, the court may make any order necessary to preserve and protect the safety and welfare of the child during the pendency of the appeal as the court may deem necessary and equitable. In addition to other matters, an order may: (1) appoint temporary conservators for the child and provide for possession of the child; (2) require the temporary support of the child by a party; (3) restrain a party from molesting or disturbing the peace of the child or another party; (4) prohibit a person from removing the child beyond a geographical area identified by the court; (5) require payment of reasonable attorney's fees and expenses; or (6) suspend the operation of the order or judgment that is being appealed. (b) A court retains jurisdiction to enforce its orders rendered under this section unless the appellate court, on a proper showing, supersedes the court's order. (c) A temporary order rendered under this section is not subject to interlocutory appeal. (d) The court may not suspend under Subsection (a)(6) the operation of an order or judgment terminating the parent-child relationship in a suit brought by the state or a political subdivision of the state permitted by law to bring the suit. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 539, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001. Sec. 109.002. APPEAL. (a) An appeal from a final order rendered in a suit, when allowed under this section or under other provisions of law, shall be as in civil cases generally. An appeal in a suit in which termination of the parent-child relationship is in issue shall be given precedence over other civil cases and shall be accelerated by the appellate courts. The procedures for an accelerated appeal under the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure apply to an appeal in which the termination of the parent-child relationship is in issue. (b) An appeal may be taken by any party to a suit from a final order rendered under this title. (c) An appeal from a final order, with or without a supersedeas bond, does not suspend the order unless suspension is ordered by the court rendering the order. The appellate court, on a proper showing, may permit the order to be suspended, unless the order provides for the termination of the parent-child relationship in a suit brought by the state or a political subdivision of the state permitted by law to bring the suit. (d) On the motion of the parties or on the court's own motion, the appellate court in its opinion may identify the parties by fictitious names or by their initials only. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 6.17, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 421, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 539, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2001. Sec. 109.003. PAYMENT FOR STATEMENT OF FACTS. (a) If the party requesting a statement of facts in an appeal of a suit has filed an affidavit stating the party's inability to pay costs as provided by Rule 20, Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, and the affidavit is approved by the trial court, the trial court may order the county in which the trial was held to pay the costs of preparing the statement of facts. (b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit an official court reporter to be paid more than once for the preparation of the statement of facts. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 472, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 5.0025, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.