Protecting Your Rights: Enforcement of Family Court Orders In North Texas

Last updated on July 14, 2026

When an ex-spouse stops paying child support or refuses to let you see your children, your world turns upside down. You do not have to handle this stress alone. At MJ Law, PLLC, we step in to make things right.

We are attorneys Juliana Johnson and Jacqueline McNutt, and with over 20 years of combined experience as trial lawyers in family court, we know how to hold people accountable. We are a female-led firm, but we believe deeply in equality and proudly serve both men and women across North Texas. Whether you need to compel compliance from an ex, or you face unfair accusations of court order violations, our results-oriented team will fight to protect you.

When Do You Need An Enforcement Order?

A family court order is not a suggestion; it is binding law. When someone repeatedly ignores a judge’s instructions, you must take legal action to protect your rights. A successful motion to enforce does more than just fix the problem; the judge can order the violating party to pay your attorney’s fees. This mandatory financial award helps you recoup expenses or offset costs if you are defending yourself against false claims.
You should ask the court for judicial enforcement if you experience any of the following situations for months at a time:

• The other parent completely stops paying monthly child support or spousal maintenance.
• Your ex consistently pays less than the ordered amount from a division of property.
• The other parent refuses to return your children at the end of their designated weekend.
• Your ex cancels your scheduled visitation times repeatedly without your agreement.
• The other parent makes major choices alone, violating joint decision-making rules.
• Someone falsely accuses you of court order violations when you acted only to protect your child from immediate danger.

If your ex ignores your text messages and emails about these violations, stop waiting for them to change. Taking the issue back to the judge forces court compliance and stops the bad behavior.

Child Support Enforcement In Texas

When a parent refuses to pay support, it hurts the children directly. As skilled family law enforcement attorneys, we will use every available legal remedy to fight for the money your family deserves. During an enforcement hearing, we ask the judge to apply strict penalties to the non-paying parent.

Texas law provides powerful legal remedies for child support enforcement. The court can order wage garnishment to take support directly from the parent’s paycheck, freeze bank accounts, or place liens on property. If the parent still refuses to pay, the judge can issue severe court sanctions, including suspending driver’s licenses, withholding passports, or ordering jail time through contempt proceedings.

Custody Order Enforcement In Texas

Parenting plan violations disrupt your child’s routine and damage your relationship with them. If the other parent cuts off your communication or denies your scheduled access, you need immediate custody order enforcement. We aggressively pursue enforcing visitation orders so you do not miss another precious moment with your children.

When addressing family court contempt for custody violations, judges look closely at the evidence of missed time. The court can order make-up visitation days so you can regain your lost time with your child. For severe or repeated violations, the judge can fine the offending parent or sentence them to jail to ensure they follow the rules in the future.

Answering Your Questions About Order Enforcement

Trying to get your child’s other parent to comply with court orders can leave you feeling powerless. Here, we answer some common questions people ask about taking legal action in these situations so you know what to expect.

What happens if someone violates a family court order?

The court can find the violating party in contempt, fine them, order them to pay the other parent’s attorney fees, or send them to jail.

How do I file a motion to enforce?

To initiate the process, your lawyer submits a formal petition to the Tarrant County court or the specific court that rendered your initial decree. This filing details the exact nature of the noncompliance and sets a date for a judicial hearing.

Can a parent be held in contempt for violating a custody order?

Yes, judges routinely use contempt findings to punish parents who block visitation or violate the official parenting plan.

Take Control Of Your Case Today

Do not let a noncompliant ex-spouse control your life or your finances any longer. Contact MJ Law, PLLC, today to schedule a 30-minute free consultation with our dedicated legal team. Call our office at 817-357-5970 or email us right now to discuss your case and find out how we protect families in Tarrant, Parker, Hood and Johnson counties.