On this week’s #FamilyFriday article, the attorneys at ERA Law Group, LLC are addressing individuals who have fallen victim to an ex-spouse or parent who refuses to abide by the Court’s Order. You’ve gotten divorced or filed suit for custody and support, the Judge made their determination and you received a Court Order outlining that decision. What happens when one person decides not to listen?
Contempt is when one party decides to act in contradiction of the Court or Court Order. The very purpose of receiving a Court Order is to once and – hopefully – for all settle a dispute between the parties. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. That intentional decision to ignore or act inconsistently with a Court Order is important because it qualifies the contempt as willful. Being in willful contempt of a Court Order can have serious ramifications. The contempt-ing party may be subject to a fine, attorney fees, and in serious cases, jail.
The contempt-ing party also creates various consequences for the other party. For example, say a provision of the Order requires Parent A to pay one half of private school tuition to the school directly and Parent A refuses to pay. If Parent A refuses to pay their share of the child’s private tuition than Parent B may have to come out-of-pocket for the balance and, if they can’t, their child may not be able to return the following year. These and similar situations wreak havoc – financially and emotionally – for the party who correctly abides by the Court Order.
If you are being forced to endure the consequences of someone who has decided not to adhere to your Court Order, call your advocates at ERA Law Group, LLC today at (443) 906-3566!