CALIFORNIA FAMILY LAW
...Enforcement
......Contempt
.........Statutory Authority
17 Cards On This Topic:
  • Family Law judgment order or decree may be enforced by contempt proceeding.
  • Certain acts or omissions re court proceedings constitute contempts of the court's authority.
  • Manner of proving contempt.
  • Penalties for contempt.
  • Party in contempt of one provision of order may not enforce other provisions, except support.
  • Each month for which support payment not made in full may be alleged as separate count of contempt and punishment imposed for each count proven.
  • Court action for contempt for failing to comply with a court order entered per DVPA; attorneys fees.
  • Failure to comply with terms of paternity judgment punishable by contempt.
  • Proof of child support order that is known to payor and violated is prima facie evidence of a contempt (in contempt prosecuted as a civil matter).
  • Person accused of contempt has right to hearing and to examine witnesses.
  • Each month for which support payment has not been made in full may be alleged as a separate count of contempt and punishment imposed for each count proven.
  • Punishment for family law contempt limited to 120 hours jail or community service for first conviction; subsequent violations more severe.
  • If contemnor has ability to perform act the omission of which is the basis of the contempt finding, contemnor may be imprisoned until act is performed.
  • Party who is in contempt may not enforce court order (rule does not apply to enforcement of support orders).
  • Reconciliation may ameliorate contempt.
  • Acts constituting criminal contempt.
  • Warrants of Attachment for contemnors - contempts not committed in presence of judge.