What Happens If My Ex Does Not Follow a Child Custody Order in Texas?

 Posted on August 23, 2026 in Child Custody

Sharing custody after a breakup or divorce can be hard even when both parents try to cooperate. The situation can quickly become even more stressful for the family when one parent starts ignoring the court-ordered schedule.

If your ex does not follow a child custody order in Texas, you can ask the court to enforce it. A court may order makeup parenting time or take other steps to address the violation. If you are dealing with custody problems in 2026, a Frisco, TX child custody attorney can explain what your order requires and what you can do next.

What Counts as Violating a Texas Child Custody Order?

A custody order sets rules that both parents must follow. In Texas, the part of the order that covers parenting time can be called a possession and access order, and will state when each parent has the child and where exchanges take place.

A violation happens when a parent does not follow a clear part of the order. Examples may include:

• Refusing to turn over the child for scheduled parenting time

• Keeping the child past the required return time

• Ignoring the court-ordered location or time for an exchange

• Blocking court-ordered holiday or summer parenting time

Keep in mind that a small scheduling problem is different from a parent repeatedly refusing to follow the order, and parents can agree to changes when needed. It's when they cannot agree and the violations are serious and repeated that the court order becomes relevant.

What Should I Do If My Ex Denies My Parenting Time in Texas?

Start by reading your custody order carefully. Make sure you know the correct date, time, and location for the exchange. These details are part of a possession order and can also help keep a clear record of each missed visit. 

Try to save any texts or emails about the exchange, and write down when you arrived and what happened. While it might be tempting, avoid trying to punish the other parent by breaking the order yourself. Continuing to follow your part of the order is important if the dispute ends up in court.

How Can a Texas Court Enforce a Child Custody Order?

When a parent keeps violating a custody order, the other parent can file a motion for enforcement. This asks the court to review the violations and enforce the existing order.

As explained in Texas Family Code Section 157.002, a parent seeking enforcement must identify the part of the order that was violated and explain how the other parent failed to follow it. A judge can then take several steps after finding that court-ordered parenting time was denied. 

Texas law allows courts to award extra periods of possession to make up for missed time. Under Section 157.168, this makeup time generally must be the same type and length as the time that was denied, and can include weekends or vacation time.

A parent who fails to follow the order may also be ordered to pay reasonable attorney fees and court costs. In some cases, a judge may also find the parent in contempt of court.

Can I Stop Paying Child Support in Texas If My Ex Denies Visitation?

Child support and parenting time are separate duties under Texas law. A parent should not stop paying court-ordered child support because the other parent has denied access to the child.

The same rule works the other way. A parent cannot refuse court-ordered parenting time simply because the other parent has fallen behind on child support.

If either part of the court order is being ignored, the proper response is to seek enforcement through the legal process. Taking matters into your own hands can create another violation instead of solving the first one.

Can the Texas Attorney General Enforce a Visitation Order?

The Texas Office of the Attorney General can help enforce child support orders, but it does not enforce visitation orders. Parents who need to enforce custody or parenting time generally need to seek relief through the court.

However, the Attorney General does provide access and visitation resources for Texas parents. These services include a statewide hotline and information about parenting time. They can be useful for basic questions, but they do not replace a court enforcement case when a parent continues to violate an order.

Contact a Frisco, TX Child Custody Attorney

When the other parent repeatedly ignores your custody order, you may need the court's help to enforce it. Contact a North Texas child custody lawyer at Moore Family Law, P.C. to discuss what has happened and learn about your options for enforcement. Call 214-764-8033 to schedule a consultation.