What Happens When Someone is Charged with Contempt of Court for Violating a Divorce Order in Illinois?

 Posted on January 20, 2022 in Family Law

Divorce orders are complex and legally binding documents. Divorced individuals in Illinois may not necessarily like the contents of their divorce order, but without seeking a modification in court, the order must be followed nonetheless. Many parts of the divorce order have an impact on a divorcee’s everyday life, especially if she shares children with her ex. It is important to understand that violating any part of a divorce order carries legal consequences.

What Happens if I Have Been Charged with Contempt of Court?

Charges for contempt of court usually follow a petition by one former spouse against the other for enforcing a part of the divorce order that a spouse has allegedly broken. Not paying child support or spousal maintenance, violating the terms of a parenting agreement, or failing to make payments on court-ordered division of debt could all lead a person to file such a petition.

Penalties for being found guilty of contempt of court include:

• Probation

• Fines

• Jail time

• Driver’s license and other professional license suspensions

• Parenting time limitations or restrictions

• A court order to pay the filing spouse’s attorneys fees, as well as any past due child support or spousal support payments

How Can I Avoid Contempt of Court Charges?

Avoiding being held in contempt of court is as simple as following your divorce decree. However, for some divorcees, aspects of their divorce decree may be difficult or impossible to follow. If job or income loss makes it difficult to make child and spousal support obligations, you may want to petition a court for a modification of your divorce decree. Instead of waiting to be held in contempt of court and facing any potential consequences, take action as soon as possible.

Call a DuPage County Divorce Order Violation Lawyer

If your ex is violating your divorce decree or you have been accused of violating the divorce decree, an experienced Lombard, IL divorce order violation attorney may be able to help. Likewise, if your former spouse is violating a court order that impacts you and your children, an attorney with Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices may be able to help you bring them into compliance. Whatever your family law needs are, we have you covered. To schedule a free case review, call us today at 630-932-9100.