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 § 157.311 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of May 2026
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Sec. 157.311. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Account" means:

(A) any type of a demand deposit account, checking or negotiable withdrawal order account, savings account, time deposit account, mutual fund account, certificate of deposit, or any other instrument of deposit in which an individual has a beneficial ownership either in its entirety or on a shared or multiple party basis, including any accrued interest and dividends; and

(B) an insurance policy, including a life insurance policy or annuity contract, in which an individual has a beneficial ownership or against which an individual may file a claim or counterclaim.

(2) "Claimant" means:

(A) the obligee or a private attorney representing the obligee;

(B) the Title IV-D agency providing child support services;

(C) a domestic relations office or local registry; or

(D) an attorney appointed as a friend of the court.

(3) "Court having continuing jurisdiction" is the court of continuing, exclusive jurisdiction in this state or a tribunal of another state having jurisdiction under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act or a substantially similar act.

(4) "Financial institution" has the meaning assigned by 42 U.S.C. Section 669a(d)(1) and includes a depository institution, depository institution holding company as defined by 12 U.S.C. Section 1813(w), credit union, benefit association, insurance company, mutual fund, and any similar entity authorized to do business in this state.

(5) "Lien" means a child support lien issued in this or another state.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 420, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 911, Sec. 19, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1023, Sec. 18, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 610, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 508 (H.B. 1674), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2011.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2011–2021 · leading case: Spates v. Off. of Attorney Gen., 485 S.W.3d 546 (Tex. App. 2016).
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
Spates v. Off. of Attorney Gen., 485 S.W.3d 546 (Tex. App. 2016). “See Tex. Fam.Code §§ 157.311(2)(B), 157.312(a), (d), (f), 157.”
in the Interest of C.D.E., a Child, 533 S.W.3d 367 (Tex. App. 2015). “See Tex. Fam. Code §§ 157.311(2)(B), 157.312(a), (d), (f), 157.”
United States v. 10.64 ACRES OF LAND, more or less, situate in STARR Cnty., STATE OF TEXAS (S.D. Tex. 2021). “101(a)(5)–(6)); see also Tex. Fam. Code § 157.311(2)(B); see 42 U.”
Mark Rotella, Mark Rotella Custom Homes, Inc. D/B/A Benchmark Custom Homes, Robert R. Cole, Jr., & Cole & Cole, P.C. v. Joan Cutting & Mid-Continent Cas. Co. (Tex. App. 2011). “; see also Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §§ 157.311 (2)(A) (West 2009) (stating that “claimant” means “the [child support] obligee ” (emphasis added)), 157.”
Mark Rotella, Mark Rotella Custom Homes, Inc. D/B/A Benchmark Custom Homes, Robert R. Cole, Jr., & Cole & Cole, P.C. v. Joan Cutting & Mid-Continent Cas. Co. (Tex. App. 2011). “; see also Tex. Fam. Code Ann. §§ 157.311 (2)(A) (West 2009) (stating that ―claimant‖ means ―the [child support] obligee‖ (emphasis added)), 157.”
Tex. Fam. Code § 157.311(2)(B): 3 cases
Spates v. Off. of Attorney Gen., 485 S.W.3d 546 (Tex. App. 2016). “See Tex. Fam.Code §§ 157.311(2)(B), 157.312(a), (d), (f), 157.”
in the Interest of C.D.E., a Child, 533 S.W.3d 367 (Tex. App. 2015). “See Tex. Fam. Code §§ 157.311(2)(B), 157.312(a), (d), (f), 157.”
United States v. 10.64 ACRES OF LAND, more or less, situate in STARR Cnty., STATE OF TEXAS (S.D. Tex. 2021). “101(a)(5)–(6)); see also Tex. Fam. Code § 157.311(2)(B); see 42 U.”
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