| Things can often turn nasty in custody and divorce | | | | Courts Don't Always Get it Right |
| cases when it involves child support issues. When | | | | Many times today though, without considering the |
| that happens, contempt of court can become a | | | | circumstances, the courts consider nonpayment of |
| problem. You can be hit with contempt of court | | | | anything as contempt. But there is a remedial process |
| when you are truly not in contempt, and you need | | | | in all of this that is supposed to take place. The |
| to understand the difference. Knowing the difference | | | | purpose of the court is not to punish you but to help |
| and understanding true contempt of court can help | | | | you comply with the court's orders. If you don't get |
| you with your defense. | | | | the difference, then you will have no means of |
| A Willful Violation of a Court Order | | | | defense should you find yourself in this position. |
| That is the true meaning of contempt of court. | | | | A Strong Defense |
| Whether or not you had the means to pay your child | | | | Your defense in a contempt of court charge for |
| support, you deliberately chose not to do it. What | | | | non-payment depends on you being able to prove |
| this means for you is if your circumstances have | | | | that you are not simply refusing to pay. If you know |
| caused your lack of payment, your ex-wife can't say | | | | your rights, you can stand up and defend yourself |
| to the judge, "he just don't want to pay." The ex | | | | when circumstances have prevented payment and |
| must be able to prove that it was on purpose and | | | | not just your own willfulness. |
| not through any fault of your own. | | | | |