There are legal consequences for contempt of court in family law when an ex-spouse or co-parent willfully violates court orders. It can be for non-compliance with child support, the parenting plan, alimony payments, or marital property division. Civil contempt sanctions encourage an offender to comply with court orders. If you are filing a motion for contempt against an ex-spouse or you are accused of contempt, it is in your best interest to hire an experienced family law attorney. Boudreau Law Firm is prepared to help clients with any legal issues regarding contempt and enforcement. Attorneys Gayle Boudreau and Robert A. Sandow, Attorney of Counsel, have more than four decades of combined family law experience. They will protect your rights, seeking creative strategies to resolve your contempt case.
There are reasons for breaching a court mandate that does not meet the elements for contempt and enforcement. These are vague or ambiguous court orders, chronic illness or disability of the accused or a close family member, loss of job, relocation, or concerns about a child’s safety with a parent. Allegations of abuse or neglect of a child, the alcohol and drug usage of a parent, or the fear of parental child abduction are severe matters and require immediate legal intervention.
To initiate a civil contempt and enforcement proceeding, a petitioner files a motion with the allegations’ details. A copy of the motion is served to the alleged offender with a court date for a hearing. At the hearing, the judge will listen to both parties’ evidence and determine if the accused has met the elements for contempt.
There is a wide range of sanctions that a judge can order if a party is found guilty of contempt of court. Child support is the right of every child, according to the law in the State of Florida. Non-payment of child support has harsh consequences.
