Texas Contempt Lawyers

Contempt or  is what happens when a person has violated an order or judgment given by a court. It applies to final divorce decrees, child custody orders, and child support orders.

If someone is in contempt an enforcement action can be brought against them in court.

Conditions of Contempt

To find a party guilty of contempt, the court has to do 2 things. First, the court has to find that the person did in fact violate the court’s order. Second, the court must find that the person had the ability to do what was ordered and just didn’t do it.

The person accused of violating the order has to show proof that he or she did not have the ability to do what was ordered or that it was not done intentionally, but was a mistake.

Consequences of Contempt

There are many different consequences of contempt. The judge can get very creative.

Enforcing a child custody and visitation order can be a complex process, but we are here to help. If the other parent is not complying with the court’s order, there are several possible remedies available. These include fines, jail time, and a change in the custodial parent. In some cases, the court may also grant the non-custodial parent extra visitation days to make up for any missed time.

Child support orders are also enforceable by law. If the other parent is not paying the required amount of child support, there are several possible remedies available. These include license suspension for the non-paying parent’s driver’s license, hunting and fishing license, and even passport denial. The court may also place a lien on the non-paying parent’s property to recover any unpaid child support.

Finally, a property division order from a divorce can also be enforced by the court. But, note that in most cases there is a two year statute of limitations. If the other spouse is not complying with the court’s order, the court may take action to ensure that the property is divided according to the terms of the divorce decree. This may involve seizing assets and ordering them to be sold.

If you are seeking to enforce a court order in Texas or someone is seeking to enforce a court order against you, our The Blacknall Firm can help. We have experience handling all types of family law cases, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that your rights are protected. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help.