Tex. Codes » Family Code · TITLE 5. THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AND THE SUIT AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP · SUBTITLE B. SUITS AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP · CHAPTER 157. ENFORCEMENT
Texas Codes

Tex. Fam. Code § 157.261 (2026)

Unpaid Child Support As Judgment

✓ laws through the 89th Legislature (2025)
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Sec. 157.261. UNPAID CHILD SUPPORT AS JUDGMENT. (a) A child support payment not timely made constitutes a final judgment for the amount due and owing, including interest as provided in this chapter.

(b) For the purposes of this subchapter, interest begins to accrue on the date the judge signs the order for the judgment unless the order contains a statement that the order is rendered on another specific date.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 702, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 42 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1997–2025 · leading case: Ochsner v. Ochsner, 517 S.W.3d 717 (Tex. 2016).
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Ochsner v. Ochsner, 517 S.W.3d 717 (Tex. 2016). · cites it 3× “See Tex. Fam. Code § 157.261. I would affirm the judgment of the court of appeals.”
Burnett-Dunham v. Spurgin, 245 S.W.3d 14 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2007). · cites it 4× “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 157.261. Because no exception applies, the enforcement provisions of chapter 157 apply to actions for income withholding.”
Beck v. Walker, 154 S.W.3d 895 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2005). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 157.261 (Vernon 2002).”
Nordstrom v. Nordstrom, 965 S.W.2d 575 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1998). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 157.261 (Vernon 1996).”
In the Interest of M.C.R., 55 S.W.3d 104 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2001). “” Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 157.261. The trial court is required to confirm the amount in arrears and render a judgment which includes interest.”
George v. Jeppeson, 238 S.W.3d 463 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2007). “” Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 157.261(a) (Vernon 2002).”
Renee Sheree O'Carolan v. Gary D. Hopper, 414 S.W.3d 288 (Tex. App.—Austin 2013). “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 157.261 (West 2008) (formerly found in Section 14.”
In the Interest of Kuykendall, 957 S.W.2d 907 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 1997). · cites it 2× “The Family Code, as amended in 1995, provides that, “A child support payment not timely made constitutes a final judgment for the amount due and owing_” Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 157.261 (Vernon 1996).”
In the Interest of J.G.Z., 963 S.W.2d 144 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 1998). “Laws 3174 (repealed 1995) (current version at TexFam.Code Ann. §§ 157.261, 157.263, 157.”
in the Interest of W.J.B. & L.M.B., 294 S.W.3d 873 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2009). · cites it 4× “220 (a) (Vernon 2004) (granting appellate jurisdiction to Courts of Civil Appeals for judgments rendered in cases in which the amount in controversy exceeds $100, exclusive of interest and costs); Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §§ 157.261 -.264 (Vernon 2008) (making a trial court's…”
Herzfeld v. Herzfeld, 285 S.W.3d 122 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2009). “” Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 157.261 (a) (Vernon 2008) (emphasis added).”
Patricia Webber v. Amy Williams, 355 S.W.3d 215 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2011). “” Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 157.261 (a) (West 2008).”
Show all 42 citing cases →
Tex. Fam. Code § 157.261(a): 12 cases
Ochsner v. Ochsner, 517 S.W.3d 717 (Tex. 2016). “See Tex. Fam. Code § 157.261. I would affirm the judgment of the court of appeals.”
Burnett-Dunham v. Spurgin, 245 S.W.3d 14 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2007). “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 157.261. Because no exception applies, the enforcement provisions of chapter 157 apply to actions for income withholding.”
George v. Jeppeson, 238 S.W.3d 463 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2007). “” Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 157.261(a) (Vernon 2002).”
in the Interest of M.K.R., a Minor Child, 216 S.W.3d 58 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2007).
in the Interest of M.C.C., a Child, 142 S.W.3d 504 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2004).
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