A family court may issue orders for a variety of domestic relations and family law related issues during a divorce. If the court has issued an order and you need help to enforce it, there is a process to do that.
Family court orders
The court order may address child custody and visitation, which outlines which parent will have legal and physical custody of the children. Legal custody allows a parent to make decisions for the child, while physical custody addresses which parent the child will live with.
It may also include requirements for child support and spousal support. Child support is the amount the parent must pay for the child’s education, medical expenses, housing, food and other necessities. Spousal support is the amount one spouse is required to pay the other to help them maintain the standard of living they had during the marriage.
If there is domestic violence or harassment by one or both parties, the court may issue a restraining order. It may also limit the parents’ ability to move without permission from the court.
Enforcement
If one of the parties is not complying with the court order, the other party can file a motion with the court for enforcement. The other party must be given notice of the filing and the date of the court hearing.
At the hearing, both parties can present arguments and evidence. The court will determine whether there has been a violation and if so, it may issue a fine, order wage garnishment, or may hold the non-complaint party in contempt of court.