Contempt of court consequences may be imposed by a judge in family law cases when one party willfully disobeys a court order.
Common examples of reasons that someone might be held in contempt of court include failing to pay court-ordered child support or spousal support, refusing to comply with a custody or visitation schedule or ignoring orders related to property division. In some cases, a parent may prevent the other from seeing their child despite a clear court mandate. These actions can lead to a finding of contempt, which is a serious legal issue.
What does it mean, practically, to be held in contempt?
To be held in contempt, the court generally must find that the order at issue was clear and specific, the person violating the terms of the order had knowledge of the order and they intentionally chose not to comply anyway. Courts understand that sometimes circumstances change—such as a job loss or a medical emergency—but ignoring an order without attempting to modify it can (generally) result in legal consequences.
A contempt finding can lead to several penalties. A court might issue fines, require makeup visitation time, garnish wages for unpaid support or even order jail time in more severe cases. These consequences are meant to enforce compliance and protect the rights of the other party and any children involved.
For someone facing contempt allegations, it is important to act quickly. Responding to the court’s notice and providing valid reasons for noncompliance may help resolve the matter. Seeking a modification of the original order may also be appropriate if the current terms are no longer reasonable or possible.
