Contempt Violations

In divorce, “contempt of court” occurs when there is willful disobedience to, or disregard of, a court order.

Contempt violations are punishable by fine or imprisonment or both.

For example, one parent’s intentional failure to return a child to the other parent in accordance with the terms of the custody order resulted in a $1,000 fine. A Mother’s failure to give the father the family photographs so he could make copies landed her in jail! If a Judge orders one spouse to do something or provide documents to the other spouse and he/she refuses, that is a contempt violation and depending on the judge, he/she will pay.