The ruling by a U.S. bankruptcy judge in Houston further complicates how and when Jones' bankruptcy case will be resolved and when the families he defamed will be paid.

The judge said the families of the elementary school shooting victims' attempt to divide Jones' assets exceeded his court's authority.

Two sets of family members of victims killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting claimed Jones spread lies on his platform that the mass shooting was a hoax. Jones was on the losing side of judgments totaling more than $1 billion.