Contempt
For most people, child support payments are crucial in making ends meet and ensuring that you and your child are fully protected and cared for. When these payments fall short of what is ordered by the court, both parents and especially the children involved will suffer the consequences of yet another dispute in the family. We represent ex-spouses, mothers and fathers in actions for the enforcement of a court order for support.
If an individual has the ability to pay and deliberately violates a court order for support, the courts may hold that individual in contempt for failure to pay the child support or alimony. An individual charged with contempt faces the penalties of incarceration, restitution, and fines.
If the individual did not have the ability to pay the support, there is not a valid reason to file a contempt motion because it is likely that the individual still does not have the ability to pay. Contempt orders are not intended to harass an individual for not paying support. Their intent is to reimburse the due support and punish an individual for not following a court order when they had the ability to pay.
When assisting individuals with child support and alimony enforcement, we analyze the situation to verify that there was in fact contempt. If contempt was involved, we investigate what remedies are available to our client. If the individual had means to pay our client but deliberately failed to do so or spent the money on non-necessities, we will represent our clients in a contempt action by filing a motion for contempt and enforcement.
If you are not receiving court ordered child support payments, spousal support payments, or alimony, and believe the individual has the ability to pay the support, we may be able to assist you in a civil contempt action to reimburse you and punish the individual.