Being in contempt of court: can sound frightening. But if you are faced with a parent who refuses to comply with an existing court order, it can also sound like a useful tool. A civil contempt order is one way that judges can enforce child support and child custody orders.
These orders come with serious consequences. In certain circumstances, parents who owe back child support can be found to be in contempt of court. If they are, they can be sent to jail until they pay off their child support arrears.
At Stange Law Firm, PC, we represent parents in enforcement proceedings related to unpaid child support or denial of visitation. Our clients and the people they take action against often face being held in contempt as a very real possibility.
Talk With a Lawyer About Contempt
The law on civil contempt is complex. It is recommended that you talk with an experienced attorney rather than handle matters on your own. At Stange Law Firm, PC, we are dedicated to working closely with our clients on family law matters.
We give our clients our cell phone numbers, return e-mails promptly, and have established Your Case Tracker — a confidential online forum for sharing documents between attorneys and their clients. When we post documents to Your Case Tracker, you can view them and add questions and comments.
Defenses to Contempt of Court
We frequently discuss possible defenses to contempt motions with our clients. Under some state law, there are two defenses that are commonly used. First, a parent may demonstrate to the court that he or she did not disobey the existing court order. In the alternative, a parent may demonstrate that he or she was unable to comply with the court order. This second defense is often used in situations where parents lose their jobs and cannot pay child support. This can vary from state to state. It is important to speak with an attorney to know your rights and options.
Contempt of Court is a subject that might be hard to deal with. We have articles available to help you understand it a little better: Missouri law involving contempt of Court, Man Jailed for not being able to afford child support payments, Contempt of Court: a serious enforcement tool in family law matters, and Mother faces ten felony charges for unpaid child support.
Contact a Multi-State Civil Contempt Lawyer to Schedule a Consultation
To learn more about the law on civil contempt of court, contact our contempt of court lawyers online or by phone to schedule a confidential consultation.
