How to Enforce Visitation Rights in Texas Family Courts

Missed weekends, tense hand-offs, and unanswered calls can leave any parent feeling powerless. Texas law provides real tools to help children stay connected with both parents, yet the path can feel unfamiliar.

At Jackman Law Firm, founded in 2014, we have walked parents through these steps and understand the stress that comes with each late pickup and canceled visit. This guide breaks down how to use the courts to protect your visitation rights while keeping the focus on your child’s well-being.

Visitation Rights in Texas

Visitation rights in Texas come from a court’s possession order, created during a Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship, or SAPCR. The most common schedule is the Standard Possession Order, which spells out exact exchange times, holidays, and summer breaks. Judges can approve a custom schedule, yet whatever appears in the signed order rules the day, and verbal changes hold no legal weight.

Because the court’s wording controls every pickup and return, parents should keep a stamped copy of the order on hand. If a dispute arises, that document is the first piece of evidence the judge will study.

Initial Steps Before Pursuing Enforcement

Before filing papers, Texas judges expect parents to try peaceful solutions. A brief text or phone call, stated calmly and backed by the order’s language, often fixes mix-ups. If direct talk stalls, many counties offer mediation services where a neutral third party helps parents craft a temporary workaround.

Whatever approach you try, keep written proof. Save messages, note phone calls, and log each drive to the exchange spot. Good records show the judge that you acted in good faith and set the stage for a stronger enforcement case later.

• Reach out to the other parent with the exact terms you seek to follow.
• Explore county mediation programs or consider hiring a private mediator if direct talks fail.
• Document every attempted exchange in a journal with dates, times, and places.

If cooperation still breaks down after these efforts, it may be time to ask the court for help.

Grounds for Filing a Motion to Enforce Visitation

A Motion to Enforce Visitation asks the judge to hold the other parent accountable for failing to comply with the visitation order. Judges look for clear breaches, such as:

• Blocking visitation during the court-set periods.
• Keeping the child longer than allowed without agreement.
• Stopping phone calls, video chats, or other contacts spelled out in the order.

A single slip often brings a warning. A pattern of three or more well-documented denials usually convinces the court that stronger action is required.

Filing a Motion to Enforce: Key Requirements

Texas Family Code Chapter 157 outlines the contents of an enforcement motion. The filing must:

1. Quote the exact section of the order that was ignored and attach a full copy.
2. List each refusal, including the date, time, and location.
3. State what you want the judge to do, such as award make-up days, impose fines, or hold the other parent in contempt.

Every request must be clear. Vague wording can sink the motion before it reaches a hearing.

Gathering Evidence to Support Your Motion

Judges rely on proof, not feelings. Build a strong packet with the following:

• Your testimony. Show up at the exchange spot even if you were told not to. A receipt from a nearby store, a time-stamped photo, or a brief police visit confirms you were present.
• Witness accounts. A neighbor, friend, or relative who saw the denial can testify or write a sworn statement.
• A detailed visitation journal. Record each missed exchange immediately.
• Digital records. Emails and texts demonstrate efforts to follow the schedule, although they rarely prove a violation by themselves.

Three well-documented denials within a short span often persuade the court that the violations were intentional.

The Court Hearing and Potential Outcomes

Once the motion is filed, you or your family law lawyer asks the clerk to set a hearing date and issue an Order to Appear. A constable then serves the other parent with both documents. The hearing usually takes place at least twenty days later, giving everyone time to prepare.

At the hearing, present your journal, receipts, and any witnesses. Speak calmly, stick to dates and facts, and let the evidence tell the story.

Seeking Assistance from a Domestic Relations Office (DRO)

Several larger Texas counties operate a Domestic Relations Office that assists parents in complying with possession orders. While the DRO does not represent either side, it offers parent classes, neutral exchange locations, and mediation. If one parent refuses to comply despite repeated requests, the DRO attorney can file a contempt action after reviewing your documented denials.

This option can save filing fees and often moves faster than starting a brand-new court case on your own.

Resources Available to Parents

Texas provides many free tools for parents trying to protect parenting time:

• Texas Access and Visitation Hotline: 866-292-4636, Monday through Friday, 1–5 p.m.
• TexasLawHelp.org: Download do-it-yourself forms, including a visitation enforcement kit.
• Access and Visitation Directory: Search for local supervised exchange centers, low-cost mediators, and parent education classes through the Attorney General’s website.

Using these tools early often prevents minor disputes from turning into costly court battles.

Need Help Enforcing Your Visitation Rights? Contact Us Today

Since 2014, Jackman Law Firm has stood by parents determined to stay actively involved in their children’s lives. Our team files enforcement actions attends DRO meetings, and negotiates make-up time so families can move forward with less conflict.

If you are tired of missed weekends and broken promises, let’s talk. Call 844-303-0001 or visit our Contact Us page to schedule your consultation. The sooner we act, the sooner you and your child can get back to building memories.