What If a Party Simply Ignores an Order or the Final Decree?
Sometimes a party fails to pay support, fails to uphold visitation rights, or disobeys another order within the decree. When this happens, the other party may bring a contempt action to try and get the uncooperative party to obey the Court?s orders. If you are concerned only about child support, the Child Support Recovery Unit, a state agency, may be able to help you. Also, parties who fail to comply with court orders may be given a jail sentence, or be deprived of some right that was awarded in the divorce decree.
If visitation was denied, the offending party may be ordered to allow initial or additional visits to make up for what was lost. Generally, it is unwise to deny visitation because the court likes the children to have as much contact with both parents as possible. Click here to see a sample Application for Finding of Contempt and for Hearing.
If a parent refuses to return a child following visitation, law enforcement may be contacted. However, they may not be able to help without a court order. It will probably be necessary to file something in court if this happens.
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