CUSTODY INTERFERENCE
KNOW THE ORDER. DOCUMENT THE FACTS. PRESERVE THE EVIDENCE. KNOW YOUR OPTIONS.
Understand The Problem
Custody interference can involve intentional interference with lawful custody or possession. Whether conduct is civil, criminal, or both depends on the facts and applicable law.
🔴 RED PILL
Understand what may be happening rather than immediately reacting to the conflict.
- Denial of visitation
- Failure to return a child
- Concealment
- Interference with communication
- Taking or retaining a child
- Repeated violations of an order
🔵 BLUE PILL
Read the actual court order. The language of your order matters.
- Possession schedule
- Pickup location
- Drop-off location
- Exchange times
- Transportation requirements
- Communication provisions
- Travel restrictions
Types Of Custody Interference
Denial Of Visitation
One parent denies another parent's court-ordered possession or visitation.
Abduction
A child is taken or retained under circumstances that may violate applicable law.
Concealment
A child's location is concealed or withheld.
Communication
Parent-child communication is obstructed.
Failure To Return
A child is not returned according to the applicable order.
Check Your Actual Court Order
Use your own signed order as the controlling document.
YOUR ORDER IS THE STARTING POINT
Look for the exact provisions concerning possession, visitation, pickup, drop-off, communication, travel and enforcement.
Do not rely solely on what someone says your order means. Read the actual language.
VIEW THE ORIGINAL DECREE IMAGEWhen A Visit Is Denied
VISIT
FACTS
EVIDENCE
RECORD
NOTICE
OPTIONS
Pissed Off Parent Process
VERY IMPORTANT!!!
REMAIN CALM
This page starts with this instruction for a reason: don't let the incident turn into an argument or confrontation.
BE AT THE CORRECT PLACE & TIME
- Verify the exchange location.
- Verify the date.
- Verify the time.
- Make sure the other parent knows you are there.
CREATE INDEPENDENT EVIDENCE
- Photographs
- Timestamped video
- Receipts
- Location records
- Witnesses
CONTACT LAW ENFORCEMENT
Contact local police department and asking whether an offense report can be made.
Keep the interaction factual and respectful. Whether an officer takes action depends on the facts, applicable law, and agency procedures.
DOCUMENT THE RESPONSE
- Report number
- Officer name
- Date and time
- Body-camera information
- Any witnesses
- Any written documentation provided
COMPLETE THE VISITATION JOURNAL
TexasLawHelp provides a visitation journal for documenting attempted visits, including dates, times, places, addresses, witnesses and what happened.
OPEN JOURNALPRESERVE VIDEO
- Keep the original video.
- Keep timestamps.
- Do not edit the original.
- Identify the date and location.
SEND NOTICE
Send notice by certified mail or another trackable method and keeping copies for your records and court file.
TEXASLAWHELP NOTICE GUIDEBuild The Record
The objective is a chronological, factual record another person can understand.
Keep the complete current signed order.
Date, time, place, address, witnesses and what happened.
Preserve complete conversations when relevant.
Preserve original emails and timestamps.
Preserve original files and metadata where possible.
Preserve the original recording.
Independent evidence showing where you were.
Record names and contact information.
Record the report number and obtain a copy when available.
Ask about the applicable records-request process.
Texas Legal Resources
Verify current law and consult a qualified attorney for advice about your individual circumstances.
⚠ IMPORTANT
A violation of a custody order, a civil enforcement matter and a criminal offense are not automatically the same thing. The facts and exact legal provisions matter.
Offense Within View
Official Texas statutes database
Interference With Child Custody
Department Of Justice
Use these resources for situations that actually fall within their jurisdiction.
COLOR OF LAW
DOJ explains 18 U.S.C. §242 and when conduct under color of law can constitute a federal crime.
READ DOJDOJ CIVIL RIGHTS
The Civil Rights Division provides an online process for submitting civil-rights reports.
OPEN DOJREPORTING
DOJ says submitted reports are reviewed to determine whether the agency has authority to help.
START HEREPictures & Documents
Example language from a divorce decree concerning peace officers and child custody enforcement.
Original supporting image from the current page.
The existing Matrix artwork.
Videos About Custody Interference
Walker Lawyer
TexasLawHelp
T
VISITATION JOURNAL
Use the journal to record attempted visits, dates, times, locations, addresses, witnesses and what happened.
OPEN JOURNALVISITATION ENFORCEMENT KIT
TexasLawHelp's visitation enforcement material explains documentation and enforcement steps.
OPEN KITDEMAND LETTER
Learn about writing a visitation demand letter and keeping supporting documentation.
READ GUIDEAdditional Resource
Article About Custody Interference
More Videos
Continue into the complete Pissed Off Parent video archive for additional material on custody, family court, parental alienation and related subjects.
⚠ DON'T MAKE THE SITUATION WORSE
Do not threaten, harass, trespass, physically confront the other parent, or attempt to take a child outside the authority provided by your order and applicable law.
Do not manufacture or alter evidence. Preserve original files, messages, photographs and recordings.
If someone is in immediate danger, contact 911 or appropriate local emergency authorities.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Pissed Off Parent is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. I am not an attorney — more importantly, I am not YOUR attorney.
This website provides educational information, personal experiences, research, publicly available documents and commentary. It does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Laws change. Court orders differ. Jurisdiction matters. Consult a qualified attorney licensed in the applicable jurisdiction for advice about your particular situation.
BUILD THE RECORD.
Know the order. Document the event. Preserve the evidence. Use the appropriate legal process.
START WITH TEXASLAWHELP VERIFY TEXAS LAW WATCH MORE VIDEOS