When a family law matter is completed a judge signs a final order. It is assumed that all the parties to the court action are legally bound to follow the order of the court. In reality this does not always happen. If a failure to follow the court order is a small infraction, generally it is not worth a client’s time or money to try to enforce the courts order. If the infraction of the court order is significant or of a serious nature then the court order can be enforced by a judge. In order to get the judge to enforce the order a party must file a law suit for contempt of court. This civil contempt action is designed to get the other party com comply with a court order. If the opposing party does not comply with the court order, the judge in his or her discretion may order the violating party to be locked up in the county jail until they comply with the order. Judges are somewhat reluctant to invoke this sanction until it is obvious that the violating party has no intention of complying with the courts rules.

Civil contempt is a complex area of law. If you believe your former spouse or other party is in contempt of court and the facts support this belief, Adams Law Group stands ready to handle these matters.