Civil contempt requires a clear order, knowledge, ability to comply, and willful noncompliance. Remedies include compensatory awards, makeup parenting time, attorney fees, and coercive sanctions.
Criminal contempt requires greater procedural protection.
Alternative Names:
Family Contempt|Civil Contempt (Family)
Why it Matters?
Order clarity is the threshold, since contempt requires a clear and unambiguous directive and provisions requiring parties to cooperate or act reasonably are generally unenforceable through contempt, which is why specificity in the parenting plan and settlement agreement determines what can later be enforced. Makeup parenting time is the standard remedy for custody violations rather than sanctions.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What is the threshold requirement?
What remedy applies to custody violations?
