Contempt in Child Custody Cases

Whenever a parent repeatedly fails to act in compliance with various aspects of the child custody agreement he or she is bound by, the other parent may elect to file a motion for contempt in order to help make things right.  If the court is able to determine that one parent has willfully chosen to not comply with a valid order—which he or she could reasonably adhere to—then this parent may be penalized for being in contempt of court.

As serious as contempt in child custody cases can be, the Cedar Rapids child custody attorneys at the Arenson Law Group, PC, can help you carefully consider all of the legal options that are available to you to deal with the situation at hand. We understand just how much may be at stake in your case, and we can help you do what might be necessary to protect the best interests of your child.

Possible Penalties of Contempt in Child Custody Cases

To begin, the court routinely allows parents to make up for their violations to no longer be in contempt, rather than punishing the offending parent.  For instance, a parent who denied his or her former partner visitation may be allowed to provide make-up days as a means of compensating for lost time.  If it is not possible to work something out, it is within the power of the court to hand down a number of penalties, including the following:

• Jail time not exceeding 30 days for each offense
• Court-ordered fines and attorney fees of the other parent
• Compensatory visitation time for non-custodial parents
• Modification of the custody agreement

Though it is quite rare for a parent to be sent to jail for being in contempt of court, the fact that it is an existing possibility speaks to the seriousness of the situation.  That being said, it will be in your best interests to work with an experienced attorney who can help you make informed decisions as you make your way through the coming legal process.

Consult with a Child Custody Attorney in Cedar Rapids

If you would like to know more about what it could mean to be in contempt in a child custody case, the Cedar Rapids child custody lawyers from the Arenson Law Group, PC, can help you understand what may be at stake for you in the coming legal process.  To speak with an attorney about protecting your own interests, please call our offices at (319) 363-8199 today.

Written by James H. Arenson