The order returns all of the FLDS children, but it does not end the child welfare investigation into allegations of abuse and neglect on the YFZ Ranch. However, that investigation will enter a new phase with Texas Child Protective Services having to prove abuse individually - instead of en masse like a decision last month.

"It remains to be seen what the process is going to look like for the investigation," said Laura Shockley, an attorney representing a group of young women the state alleged to be minors but were really adults.

The parents are willing to participate in the investigation, attorneys said. Some will not be moving back to the YFZ Ranch to make a good-faith showing with CPS.

"I've heard there are a number of people that are returning to the ranch," Shockley said. "I think it's a variety of reasons. I do know that my clients in particular, they are willing to participate in the process to reach a final resolution."

While the order said that the children could be released today, the foster care facilities may not be set up to let them go just yet. Parents will have to sign affidavits and be photographed.

"Our only focus at this time is to get the children home as quickly as possible. That's all we're going to be focusing our attention on the next few days," said Criselda Pac, an attorney for Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, which represents five FLDS mothers. "It's not an agreed order, it's the court's own order."

The Texas Supreme Court and the 3rd Court of Appeals in Austin both ruled that Texas child welfare authorities acted improperly in removing more than 450 children from the YFZ Ranch while they investigated allegations of abuse. The courts ordered Walther to return more than 130 children to their parents - but allowed her to set conditions. It also allowed Child Protective Services the ability to continue its investigation.

Negotiations broke down in court on Friday, leaving parents and attorneys unsure of when they will be reunited with their children. The Texas RioGrande Legal Aid Society had gathered enough signatures from FLDS mothers to push the judge to sign the original agreement, but instead this latest version became the order.

"My clients are incredibly grateful and they really hope that their children get to come home," Balovich said. "They're ready to pick them up as soon as they can."

National officials with the ACLU also praised Monday's order.

"Parents and children should not be separated without the most compelling of justifications," said Daniel Mach, director of litigation with the organization's program on "Freedom of Religion and Belief. "Judge Walther's new order allows the children to return to their homes, their parents, and their siblings, while permitting (CPS) to continue investigation into any and all allegations of child abuse."