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 § 157.421 (2026)

Clarifying Nonspecific Order

✓ current as of May 2026
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Sec. 157.421. CLARIFYING NONSPECIFIC ORDER. (a) A court may clarify an order rendered by the court in a proceeding under this title if the court finds, on the motion of a party or on the court's own motion, that the order is not specific enough to be enforced by contempt.

(b) The court shall clarify the order by rendering an order that is specific enough to be enforced by contempt.

(c) A clarified order does not affect the finality of the order that it clarifies.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 38 cases (12 in the last 5 years), 1998–2026 · leading case: In Re the Marriage of Ward, 137 S.W.3d 910 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2004).
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In Re the Marriage of Ward, 137 S.W.3d 910 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2004). · cites it 2× “” Tex. Fam.Code ANN. § 157.421 (Vernon 2002).”
In Re Alexander, 243 S.W.3d 822 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2008). “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 157.421 (Vernon 2002); see also In re A.”
In Interest of Hamilton, 975 S.W.2d 758 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1998). · cites it 2× “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. §§ 157.421, 157.423 (Vernon 1996).”
In Re Dryden, 52 S.W.3d 257 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2001). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 157.421 (Vernon 1996).”
Glass v. Williamson, 137 S.W.3d 114 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2004). “; Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 157.421 (Vernon 2002) (court may clarify order not specific enough to be enforced by contempt).”
Alan Leslie Williams v. Jo-Ann Williams, 407 S.W.3d 770 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2012). · cites it 2× “See TEX.FAM.CODE ANN. § 157.421 (West 2008). She also sought attorney’s fees.”
Lundy v. Lundy, 973 S.W.2d 687 (Tex. App.—Tyler 1998). “Because the court did not render judgment modifying child support, we overrule points of error one, four and five. We affirm the trial court’s judgment denying modification of the child support order and reverse and render as to the judgment “clarifying” the divorce decree.”
in the Interest of A.S.G., J.N.G., & J.D.G., Minor Child., 345 S.W.3d 443 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2011). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 157.421 (West 2008); In re A.”
McLaurin v. McLaurin, 968 S.W.2d 947 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 1998). “Similarly, an ambiguous order in a family law case may be clarified under Tex Fam. Code Ann. § 157.421 (Vernon 1996) if an order is not specific enough to be enforced by contempt.”
In the Interest of A.C.B., 103 S.W.3d 570 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2003). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 157.421(a) (Vernon 2002).”
In the Interest of V.M.P., J.R.P. & B.L.P., Child., 185 S.W.3d 531 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2006). “” Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 157.421 (Vernon 2002).”
In the Interest of R.F.G., 282 S.W.3d 722 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2009). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 157.421(b) (Vernon 2008).”
Show all 38 citing cases →
Tex. Fam. Code § 157.421(a): 8 cases
In the Interest of A.C.B., 103 S.W.3d 570 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2003). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 157.421(a) (Vernon 2002).”
In the Interest of R.K.F. & D.J.F., Child. v. the State of Texas, No. 06-23-00072-CV (Tex. App.—Texarkana May 20, 2024).
in the Interest of D.N.P. & A.E.P., Child., No. 05-19-01083-CV (Tex. App.—Dallas Mar. 2, 2021).
In the Interest of A.N.I., a Child v. ., No. 04-24-00389-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio Aug. 13, 2025).
In the Interest of E.S. & K.S., Child. v. the State of Texas, No. 13-25-00190-CV (Jan. 15, 2026).
Tex. Fam. Code § 157.421(b): 2 cases
In the Interest of R.F.G., 282 S.W.3d 722 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2009). “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 157.421(b) (Vernon 2008).”
In Re Rfg, 282 S.W.3d 722 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2009).
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