Can My Ex Keep My Child From Me During Visitation in Texas?

 Posted on August 23, 2026 in Child Custody

The time you share with your child is important, so it can be upsetting to show up for your scheduled time only to be told you cannot see them. You may be wondering whether the other parent even has the right to make that decision.

When a Texas court order gives you child visitation, also called possession or access, the other parent generally must follow that order. If your ex is keeping your child from you in 2026, a Houston, TX family law attorney can review your order and help you understand what to do next.

What Does a Texas Possession Order Give You the Right to Do?

Texas uses the terms "possession" and "access" for the time a parent spends with a child. A court order should spell out when that time begins and ends, including details about weekends and vacations.

Under Texas Family Code Section 153.311, parents with a standard possession order may agree to different parenting times in advance. When they do not agree, the court-ordered schedule must be followed.

One parent does not get to rewrite that schedule on their own. If your ex repeatedly refuses to make your child available, you may be able to ask the court to enforce the order.

Can My Ex Withhold Visitation in Texas if I Am Behind on Child Support?

Child support and visitation are separate legal obligations in Texas. A parent who falls behind on child support does not automatically lose court-ordered time with a child.

The parent with whom the child primarily lives must still obey the visitation order when the other parent does not pay support. Likewise, a parent cannot stop paying child support just because visitation has been denied.

Each problem has its own enforcement process. An attorney can help you address a visitation violation without risking a violation of another part of the court order.

What Should I Do if My Ex Refuses to Let Me See My Child in Texas?

A denied visit can become emotional very quickly. However, getting into a confrontation at the exchange can make matters worse. It’s important to focus on following your court order and creating a clear record of what happened.

If the other parent refuses to make your child available, take steps to document the denied visit:

• Follow the exchange instructions in your order. Arrive at the required location at the scheduled time to show you were ready to exercise your parenting time.

• Save your communications. Keep messages showing that the other parent refused the visit or told you not to come.

• Write down what happened. Record the date, time, location, and other details while they are still fresh in your mind.

• Keep records of repeated denials. An organized history can help your attorney understand the pattern and decide what action may be appropriate.

One missed visit does not always lead to a court case. Repeated denials, however, can become a serious problem and may need court enforcement. 

What Can a Texas Court Do About Denied Visitation?

Texas courts can respond when a parent violates an order for possession or access. An enforcement case asks the court to require compliance with an existing order.

According to Texas Family Code Section 157.168, a court must generally award additional possession or access to compensate for the court-ordered time that was denied, unless good cause is shown for not doing so. The additional time can include school vacations and holidays.

Repeated violations can bring more serious consequences. When a parent has previously been found in contempt at least three times for denying court-ordered possession or access, the court must award twice the amount of parenting time that was denied. Repeated contempt findings can also affect a future request to modify the custody or visitation order.

How Do I Enforce My Visitation Order in Texas?

When informal efforts do not solve the problem, you may be able to file a motion for enforcement. While the Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division does not enforce the visitation orders, you may seek relief through the court. 

The motion you file will ask the court to review the violations and enforce the existing order. An attorney can help you determine whether an enforcement action is appropriate and what evidence you will need.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Harris County, TX Visitation Lawyer

Being kept from your child can leave you feeling powerless, but you do not have to handle the situation on your own. Attorney Dessiray W. Cusic has been board-certified in family law since 2014 and is also a certified mediator who regularly mediates family law cases.

Our Houston, TX family law attorneys at The Cusic Law Firm, P.C. can help you understand the next steps and pursue enforcement of your court-ordered parenting time. Call 713-650-1866 today to schedule a free consultation.