Central Texas Family Law Enforcement Attorney
Enforcing court orders in Texas — when the other parent won’t follow the rules.
A court order is only as good as its enforcement. When the other parent refuses to comply — withholding visitation, failing to pay support, violating custody terms — Carl Knickerbocker moves quickly and aggressively to hold them accountable.
Texas Order Enforcement
You won the order. Now make it stick.
Obtaining a favorable court order is one battle. Enforcing it is often another. When the other parent chronically withholds visitation, refuses to pay child support, relocates the children in violation of a geographic restriction, or simply ignores the terms of an order, the legal system provides powerful tools to hold them accountable — but only if those tools are used effectively.
Violating a court order is contempt of court. Texas courts take contempt seriously. Consequences can include fines, make-up possession time, payment of the other party’s attorney’s fees, and even jail in serious or repeated cases. The sooner enforcement action is filed, the stronger the case — and the sooner the violations stop.
Carl moves quickly in enforcement cases. If the other parent is violating an order, contact us as soon as possible. The pattern matters — and building a documented record of violations strengthens your case significantly.
What We Can Enforce
How Enforcement Works
The legal tools available to enforce your order
Motion for Enforcement
We file a formal enforcement motion with the court detailing each specific violation. The other parent is then required to appear before the judge and explain their non-compliance. Courts take these matters seriously and can impose meaningful consequences.
Contempt of Court
A party found in contempt of court can face fines, be ordered to pay attorney’s fees, be required to make up missed visitation time, and in serious or repeated cases, face incarceration. Contempt is one of the most powerful enforcement tools available.
Wage Garnishment
For unpaid child support, Texas courts can order an income withholding order that automatically deducts support payments from the non-paying parent’s paycheck. This removes the burden of collection from the receiving parent.
Modification as a Remedy
In some cases — particularly when violations are repeated and serious — the appropriate response is not just enforcement but modification of the underlying order. Chronic violations of a custody order can be grounds to change the primary conservatorship arrangement entirely. See our modifications page for more.
Common Questions
Enforcement FAQs
What should I do if the other parent denies my visitation?
Document every instance — dates, times, what was said and by whom. Keep text messages and emails. Do not retaliate by withholding your own obligations under the order. Contact us promptly so we can build a pattern of violations and file for enforcement before more incidents occur. The more documented instances you have, the stronger the contempt case.
Can I withhold support if visitation is being denied?
No. Under Texas law, child support and visitation are separate obligations. Withholding support because visitation is being denied will put you in violation of the court order and can be used against you. The right response is to file for enforcement of the visitation order — not to stop paying support. Both issues can be addressed simultaneously through the court.
How quickly can enforcement be filed?
Enforcement actions can be filed quickly once we have retained you as a client and gathered the documentation needed. In cases involving immediate danger to children or an ongoing acute violation, we can pursue emergency relief on a compressed timeline. For non-emergency enforcement, the process moves through the court’s normal docket.
What if the violations are ongoing and repeated?
Repeated, willful violations of a court order are among the strongest grounds for a modification of the underlying order. If the other parent has demonstrated a consistent pattern of non-compliance, it may be time to seek a more fundamental change — including a change in primary conservatorship. We evaluate enforcement and modification options together and recommend the strategy most likely to produce lasting results. See our modifications page for details.
Take the first step — it’s free.
Tell us about your situation. Carl will listen and give you an honest assessment of your enforcement options — completely free, no obligation.
Request Your Free Consultation
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Prefer to call? (512) 763-9282 — Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm.