Tex. Codes » Family Code · TITLE 1. THE MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP · SUBTITLE C. DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE · CHAPTER 9. POST-DECREE PROCEEDINGS
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Tex. Fam. Code § 9.008 (2026)

Clarification Order

✓ current as of May 2026
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Sec. 9.008. CLARIFICATION ORDER. (a) On the request of a party or on the court's own motion, the court may render a clarifying order before a motion for contempt is made or heard, in conjunction with a motion for contempt or on denial of a motion for contempt.

(b) On a finding by the court that the original form of the division of property is not specific enough to be enforceable by contempt, the court may render a clarifying order setting forth specific terms to enforce compliance with the original division of property.

(c) The court may not give retroactive effect to a clarifying order.

(d) The court shall provide a reasonable time for compliance before enforcing a clarifying order by contempt or in another manner.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 7, Sec. 1, eff. April 17, 1997.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 78 cases (14 in the last 5 years), 1997–2026 · leading case: Zeolla v. Zeolla, 15 S.W.3d 239 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2000).
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Zeolla v. Zeolla, 15 S.W.3d 239 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2000). · cites it 6× “” For context, this subsection is obviously within Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 9.008. This entire section deals with clarification in aid of contempt enforcement.”
In Re the Marriage of Alford, 40 S.W.3d 187 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2001). · cites it 5× “Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 9.008(a) (Vernon 1998).”
McKnight v. Trogdon-McKnight, 132 S.W.3d 126 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2004). · cites it 2× “; (2) ignoring his right of first refusal to purchase the house by matching any proposed sale; (3) granting Jennifer the sole right to determine the price at which the property will be listed for sale; and (4) appointing a receiver in the event the parties fail to agree on a…”
Shanks v. Treadway, 110 S.W.3d 444 (Tex. 2003). “While the court may enter a “clarifying order” to enforce compliance with an insufficiently specific decree, Tex. Fam. Code § 9.008(b), a court “may not amend, modify, alter, or change the division of property made or approved in the decree of divorce.”
In Re the Marriage of McDonald, 118 S.W.3d 829 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2003). · cites it 2× “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 9.007(b) (Vernon 1998).”
DeGroot v. DeGroot, 260 S.W.3d 658 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2008). · cites it 2× “See Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 9.008; Gainous, 219 S.”
Bart Dalton v. Carol Dalton, 551 S.W.3d 126 (Tex. 2018). “(citing TEX. FAM. CODE §§ 9.008(b), .007(a) ). The courts of appeals agree that a "suit seeking a QDRO applies to a previously divided pension, retirement plan, or other employee benefit.”
Marshall v. Priess, 99 S.W.3d 150 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2002). · cites it 2× “Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 9.008 (b). 5 The remedy of clarification applies not only to property divisions specifically set forth in the decree but to those divisions which are merely approved and incorporated by reference in the decree.”
Brown v. Brown, 236 S.W.3d 343 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2007). “See Tex Fam.Code Ann. § 9.008(b) (Vernon 2006) (court may enter “clarifying order” to enforce compliance with insufficiently specific decree); Tex.”
Stacey Everett v. Jamie Everett, 421 S.W.3d 918 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2014). · cites it 3× “Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 9.008 (West 2006). Appellant contends the trial court exceeded the permissible scope of a clarifying order by converting a responsibility for a community debt into an obligation to pay spousal maintenance.”
Linda Smith v. John Burt, 528 S.W.3d 144 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2017). · cites it 3× “” Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 9.006(a). Section 9.008 of the Family Code authorizes a court to render a clarifying order in some circumstances.”
in the Interest of N.T.P. & L.C.P., Child., 402 S.W.3d 13 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2012). · cites it 2× “” TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. § 9.008(b) (West 2006); see Pearcy v.”
Show all 78 citing cases →
Tex. Fam. Code § 9.008(a): 4 cases
In Re the Marriage of Alford, 40 S.W.3d 187 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2001). “Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 9.008(a) (Vernon 1998).”
Jones v. Am. Airlines, Inc., 57 F. Supp. 2d 1224 (D. Wyo. 1999).
in Re Onesimo M. Medina v. ., No. 04-20-00390-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio Feb. 17, 2021).
Shawn Fry v. Shanii Fry, No. 01-22-00611-CV (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 7, 2024).
Tex. Fam. Code § 9.008(b): 33 cases
McKnight v. Trogdon-McKnight, 132 S.W.3d 126 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2004). “; (2) ignoring his right of first refusal to purchase the house by matching any proposed sale; (3) granting Jennifer the sole right to determine the price at which the property will be listed for sale; and (4) appointing a receiver in the event the parties fail to agree on a…”
Shanks v. Treadway, 110 S.W.3d 444 (Tex. 2003). “While the court may enter a “clarifying order” to enforce compliance with an insufficiently specific decree, Tex. Fam. Code § 9.008(b), a court “may not amend, modify, alter, or change the division of property made or approved in the decree of divorce.”
Bart Dalton v. Carol Dalton, 551 S.W.3d 126 (Tex. 2018). “(citing TEX. FAM. CODE §§ 9.008(b), .007(a) ). The courts of appeals agree that a "suit seeking a QDRO applies to a previously divided pension, retirement plan, or other employee benefit.”
Zeolla v. Zeolla, 15 S.W.3d 239 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2000). “” For context, this subsection is obviously within Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 9.008. This entire section deals with clarification in aid of contempt enforcement.”
Brown v. Brown, 236 S.W.3d 343 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2007). “See Tex Fam.Code Ann. § 9.008(b) (Vernon 2006) (court may enter “clarifying order” to enforce compliance with insufficiently specific decree); Tex.”
Tex. Fam. Code § 9.008(c): 5 cases
Zeolla v. Zeolla, 15 S.W.3d 239 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2000). “” For context, this subsection is obviously within Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 9.008. This entire section deals with clarification in aid of contempt enforcement.”
In Re the Marriage of Alford, 40 S.W.3d 187 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2001). “Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 9.008(a) (Vernon 1998).”
Linda Smith v. John Burt, 528 S.W.3d 144 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2017). “” Tex.Fam.Code Ann. § 9.006(a). Section 9.008 of the Family Code authorizes a court to render a clarifying order in some circumstances.”
Barry Watret v. Teresita Watret, 623 S.W.3d 555 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2021).
Shawn Fry v. Shanii Fry, No. 01-22-00611-CV (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 7, 2024).
Tex. Fam. Code § 9.008(d): 3 cases
Zeolla v. Zeolla, 15 S.W.3d 239 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2000). “” For context, this subsection is obviously within Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 9.008. This entire section deals with clarification in aid of contempt enforcement.”
Barry Watret v. Teresita Watret, 623 S.W.3d 555 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2021).
Justin Ryan Leblanc v. Michele Renee Leblanc, No. 08-22-00218-CV (Tex. App.—El Paso July 14, 2023).
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