Contempt: What is it and what can we do about it?

Outside of the world of family law, to most people the word contempt is often used to describe how we feel about something or someone: to look down upon; not worthy of proper treatment; with disdain. However, in family law, Contempt is used to describe what happens when someone is not following a Court order. Often times, that order is a Parenting Plan – not following the visitation schedule or engaging in joint decision making, or a Child Support Order – not paying support or their share of other court-ordered child-related expenses. Or it may be another court order, perhaps related to paying Spousal Support or Maintenance. We can file a motion asking the Court to find that person is in contempt for intentionally disobeying or failing to comply with a Court order, and ask the Court to do something about it. While we just wish that everyone would do what they are supposed to do, unfortunately that’s just not how it works.

Of course, there are two sides to this coin. Maybe you are the person who has just been served with an order to go to Court for a contempt hearing and you don’t know what to do or how to respond. Even worse, you know you have been following the Court order and you just need to make sure that the Judge or Commissioner understands that.
If your co-parent isn’t following a Court order and you need legal advice or help to navigate your way through the process of bringing a contempt action in a family law case, or you need help responding to a contempt motion served on you, please feel free to call me at 425-287-2917. I provide affordable legal help in family law cases.