Post-Divorce Issues Such as Contempt Actions

Once your divorce becomes final it is natural to feel as though you are turning the page on that chapter of your life and entering the next one, and in a real sense you are doing just that. However, you would do well to realize that when it comes to the matter of divorce, the term “final” is not synonymous with “permanent.” You may well have to revisit some of the terms of the divorce at some later juncture, and the fact is that you might have to do so more than once.

One of the post divorce issues that arises all too often is a failure to pay child support. If you are the custodial parent and your former spouse is delinquent it can be heart wrenching to see the impact this financial void is having on the children. Child support delinquency is a huge problem in the United States and the result is that innocent children are suffering in droves. 25% of court ordered child support payments go completely unpaid, and another 25% of obligors are behind on their payments.

To get the attention of a delinquent obligor you may want to consider filing a contempt action. When a parent defies a court order by failing to make scheduled child support payments in full and on time this individual can be held in contempt of court. This is a serious matter than can result in a period of incarceration. The threat of jail time can often times be enough to motivate the obligor to take care of his or her child support obligations and bring the past due payments current.

Another matter than can warrant a contempt action is a violation of a domestic violence protective order. Depending on the nature of the violation this can be a criminal offense that often results in the incarceration of the abuser.

For legal advice pursuant to post divorce issues such as contempt actions, get in touch with an experienced Oklahoma City OK family lawyer to arrange for a free consultation.