In most family law cases, once a judge has decided on an issue, a court order is issued outlining the obligations of the parties involved. Whether it’s an order to pay child support, how parents are expected to share parenting time with their children, or how property is to be distributed equitably following a divorce or separation, the order must be followed.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen in every case. So what should one do if the other parent consistently fails to maintain the status quo of a joint parenting agreement or a spouse refuses to make regular alimony payments?
When one party fails to meet the terms of a court order, they are in contempt of court in North Carolina and could face civil or criminal contempt sanctions as a result. Whether you are seeking to enforce a court order or have been found in contempt of court, the experienced Statesville court order enforcement lawyer at Griffin Law, PLLC, has the experience you need to resolve matters quickly and effectively.
Failing to meet the requirements of a divorce settlement, alimony order, child custody determination, child support order, separation agreement or a protection order against domestic abuse can lead to contempt of court actions in Statesville, North Carolina.
This process starts with a motion for contempt in which the petitioner must show the other party named in the court order violated the agreed-upon terms. With approval from a judge, a motion to hold the person in contempt is issued, which can lead to jail time in certain circumstances.
Once a contempt motion has been filed, petitioners must file a motion to appear and set a court date. Once in court, the accused party has the option of defending themselves by showing they did not knowingly or intentionally violate the terms of the court order. A judge will make a final determination based on the evidence presented and take specific legal action depending on their findings.
At Griffin Law, PLLC, attorney Jonathan D. Griffin, has extensive experience handling a variety of family law matters for individuals and families throughout Iredell County. For 19 years and counting, he has helped individuals enforce court orders through contempt of court proceedings as well as defended those on the receiving end of a contempt motion.
When you work with our law firm, you can expect straightforward communication at every step of the legal process. We pride ourselves on being hands-on, attentive and compassionate with our clients, and we never take action that isn’t in our clients’ best interests.
Our goal at Griffin Law, PLLC, is simple: to get results that are truly in your best interests. We do this through an effective combination of skill, experience, and dedication that lets you know you’re in good hands in Statesville, North Carolina.
Enforcing a court order through a contempt of court motion isn’t an intuitive process, especially if you don’t understand the full scope of North Carolina family laws or your rights under them. Our experienced family lawyer can explain everything to you and is known for his skill as a negotiator and litigator in any situation he faces.
If you would like to speak with our attorney regarding your case and legal needs, please schedule an initial consultation today. Call our office in Statesville at 704-873-5500, or contact us online to get started.