What do you do when your ex refuses to follow the court-ordered visitation schedule? It’s a frustrating and emotionally exhausting experience—especially when your child is left in the middle. Unfortunately, it’s more common than most people realize.
When one parent violates a visitation agreement in Texas, it’s not just an inconvenience—it’s a direct violation of a court order. These disruptions can cause long-term emotional distress for the child and drive up conflict between parents.
At Daniel Ogbeide Law, the team understands how serious these situations can become. Whether you’re dealing with repeated missed visitations or deliberate interference, their attorneys are ready to step in and advocate for your parental rights. With deep experience in contested custody issues, child support enforcement, and modifications, they are prepared to help you take the next legal step.
This article will explain what legal actions you can take if your ex isn’t complying with the visitation order, what evidence you need, and how the court may respond.
How Texas Courts View Visitation Orders
Visitation agreements are legally binding. In Texas, these are typically part of the final divorce decree or child custody order. Failing to follow them is considered contempt of court. This means your ex isn’t just being difficult—they may be breaking the law.
Examples of violations include:
- Refusing to hand over the child at the scheduled time
- Repeatedly showing up late for pick-up or drop-off
- Canceling visits without valid reasons
- Undermining the child’s willingness to visit
Even subtle interference—such as guilt-tripping the child or scheduling conflicting events—can be grounds for court action.
What Legal Remedies Are Available?
Texas family courts offer several remedies when one parent repeatedly violates a visitation order.
1. Enforcement Motion
The first step is typically filing a motion to enforce the visitation order. This asks the court to review the violations and take appropriate action.
2. Contempt of Court
If your ex is found in contempt, the court can issue penalties, including:
- Fines
- Make-up visitation time
- Mandatory parenting classes
- Jail time in severe cases
3. Custody Modification
Repeated violations may justify modifying the custody arrangement. A parent’s refusal to foster a positive relationship between the child and the other parent could impact their custody rights.
What You’ll Need to Prove Your Case
The court requires clear documentation to act on your claims. This is why it’s important to keep detailed records.
Essential evidence includes:
- Texts, emails, or call logs
- Witness statements
- A written log of missed or denied visits
- Police reports, if applicable
An attorney familiar with child support and visitation enforcement can help you organize and present this evidence effectively.
When Visitation Issues Affect Child Support
Many parents wonder if they can withhold child support if their ex is violating visitation. The answer is no. In Texas, visitation and child support are treated separately. Failing to pay child support could put you in contempt—even if your ex is breaking the visitation rules.
However, if the situation becomes ongoing, it may support a request for child support modification in Houston, especially if your parenting time has changed significantly due to the other parent’s interference.
Should You Contact the Police?
In some cases, contacting local law enforcement can help document the violation. While officers won’t usually enforce custody orders directly, their presence may help defuse the situation and create a record for court use.
Tired of Dealing With a Non-Compliant Ex?
If you’re constantly dealing with broken visitation agreements, you don’t have to face it alone. The legal system provides strong tools to enforce your rights—but taking action without legal support can be overwhelming.
Daniel Ogbeide Law offers experienced legal representation for parents dealing with contested divorce issues, non-compliance with custody orders, and child support enforcement. Their attorneys are known for handling high-conflict cases with professionalism and urgency. Whether you’re seeking to enforce an order or modify support due to changes in parenting time, they’re ready to help.
Contact Daniel Ogbeide Law today to schedule a consultation with family law attorney in Houston. With their team on your side, you’ll have dedicated support to protect your relationship with your child and take decisive legal steps toward resolution.
