Legal Question in Family Law in Texas

My mother-in-law keeps harassing me. On August 5, 2009 she showed up at my business to pick up my wife after I told her she was not allowed there. She parked right in front of where I do business and refused to leave until I gave my wife the keys to my car. I called police, but they took her side and refused to arrest her. Finally they got her to leave. Again on August 16, 2009 my wife asked her to pick her up from my house. I said she is not allowed on my property and my wife told her. She pulled up on my property and walked right in my door which was unlocked at the time. I repeatedly told her she was trespassing and needed to leave. She took a video camera from my house without my permission. This time however, she called the police beforehand and had them meet her at my house. The police again refused to arrest her for trespassing. I don't want this lady coming any where near my home or work. Is there a way I could obtain a restraining/protective order against her in this situation?


Asked on 8/18/09, 10:17 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
TC Langford Langford Law Office

The police cannot and will not arrest her for trespassing when she is an invited guest of someone who has legal residence at the property (your wife).

You can file a petitiont for an injunction. If it is granted, then if she violates the terms of the injunction, you can have her served with contempt. If you have grounds for a restraining order or protective order, and it is granted, and she violates it, the police should arrest her. You will have to be in possession of a certified copy of the order.

To accomplish this, you will probably need to hire a lawyer.

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Answered on 8/21/09, 12:25 pm


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