If a spouse fails to comply with the terms of the court order, that party may be held in contempt the court and punished accordingly. Such punishment can include up to a $500 fine and/or up to 180 days of imprisonment for each violation. The most common violations relate to non-payment of child support and refusal to comply with the possession order (failing to turn the children over for their court-ordered visitation). In addition to the punishments for contempt, the court can order other remedial measures. For example, if a parent refused to send the child to the visiting parent for Christmas break, the visiting parent may receive make-up time, which may be an additional week during the summer or all of Christmas vacation the following year. For child support violators, the court will impose a judgment for missed child support payments and set out a payment schedule on that judgment. Additionally, the judgment will accrue interest at the rate of 6% per year. - - Daryl G. Weinman, Attorney at Law |