what do ypu do if your attorney won't file contempt charges on other party

by Mr. German Grimes 8 min read

You can use the same paperwork your attorney used to file for contempt the last time. You need to file in parish court in the same suit your custody is in. I doubt you will do as well as your attorney did. You would be better advised to try to obtain the money for your attorney to file again.

Full Answer

How to file contempt charges without a lawyer?

 · The information in your post does not seem to suggest that there is much the court can do for you. If the mother is the noncustodian parent (the children are placed primarily with you), there is no statutory duty for the noncustodian parent to inform the court of a relocation or to seek the court's permission before moving.

What happens if you file a contempt of court motion?

Step 1 Obtain the contempt paperwork from the court clerk or type the motion yourself. Some states offer fill-in-the-blank motions that are accompanied by instructions. You will need to include information about your case such as your case number, the name of the court, your name and your spouse’s name. Step 2

How do I hold someone in contempt of court?

 · You can use the same paperwork your attorney used to file for contempt the last time. You need to file in parish court in the same suit your custody is in. I doubt you will do as well as your attorney did. You would be better advised to try to obtain the money for your attorney to file again. Every situation is different and you should consult your own attorney to go over all …

Can a judge find a parent in contempt of court?

 · Filing for contempt might cause the other party to file a motion or action to change the court order. Example: They could file a motion asking to pay less child support. If you’re not ready to fight this type of motion, do not file for contempt. You might end up fighting a contempt motion yourself. If you have not followed the Court’s orders yourself, the other party may …

What to do if your spouse is late to pay your child?

If your spouse failed to make payments, note the date of the last payment and how much he currently owes. If your spouse has been routinely late in dropping off your children, note the dates and times of the violations.

Does bickering end after divorce?

Bickering between spouses does not always end after a divorce is finalized. If custody or support matters are not resolved to the liking of one party, he or she may be resistant to comply. If this occurs, you may file a motion with the court asking that your spouse be held in contempt. Contempt is a determination by a judge ...

Do you need an attorney to file a motion for contempt of court?

Consider consulting an attorney. Although you don't need an attorney to file a motion for contempt, an experienced family law attorney may be able to best protect your rights and the rights of your children.

What to do if you can't find a motion for contempt?

If you can't find a specific motion for a motion for contempt, you may be able to find a blank motion form that you can use to make sure your motion is formatted correctly. Some courts also may have instructions that walk you through the process of filing your motion step by step. Consider consulting an attorney.

Can a judge hold you in contempt of court?

Although the phrase "file charges" generally relates to criminal cases, judges can hold people in contempt for not following a previous court order. In the family law context, if one parent isn't paying child support or providing other support as required by a court order, you can file a complaint or motion asking the judge to hold him ...

What happens if a parent is found to be in contempt of court?

If a parent is found to be in contempt, he or she may be ordered to pay the child support or go to jail. Steps.

Can you use a blank motion for contempt?

Many courts have fill-in-the-blank forms that you can use for your complaint or motion in this context. If you can't find a specific motion for a motion for contempt, you may be able to find a blank motion form that you can use to make sure your motion is formatted correctly.

Where to find caption on contempt motion?

If you don't know this number, you can find it at the top of the original order that is the subject of your motion for contempt.

Do you have to attend mediation before a contempt hearing?

Fulfill any pre-hearing requirements. Some courts may require you to attend mediation prior to a contempt hearing. Additionally, the court that issued your original order may have a family services office that will provide mediation services that can resolve the issue without you having to file a motion in court.

Lauren G. Coleman

You can use the same paperwork your attorney used to file for contempt the last time. You need to file in parish court in the same suit your custody is in. I doubt you will do as well as your attorney did. You would be better advised to try to obtain the money for your attorney to file again.

Richard Geller

It's difficult for attorneys to ever recommend that an individual take legal matters into their own hands, without the assistance of a lawyer. I would echo the same thing to a fellow lawyer facing the same problem . That fact that your children are involved only makes it even more difficult to advice you to take on these matters yourself.

Michael D. Conroy

If your contempt charges were dismissed, you should proceed carefully with the advice of a competent attorney.

Rachel Sue Glorioso Dooley

Although I am not an attorney in Louisiana, most courthouses where family court cases are held have what is called a "pro se" clinic where you can purchase a packet from the Clerk of Court with the proper forms. Generally for contempt, they have to be ordered to behave a certain way and continually fail to abide by the ruling.

What happens if you file a motion for contempt?

Filing a Motion for Contempt might cause the other party to file a motion to change the court order. Example: They may ask the court to lower child support or for different residential time. If you are not ready to defend against this type of motion, do not file for contempt. Defending a contempt motion.

Can you have a contempt hearing postponed?

They may be able to have the contempt hearing stayed (postponed) while they are on active duty. If the case is about child support or maintenance, the Division of Child Support may be able to help collect support/maintenance directly from the military.

Can one parent return a child to the other parent?

One parent will not return the child to the other at the end of visitation. One parent does not make reasonable efforts to require a child to visit the other parent at the times the parenting plan states. One ex-spouse does not deliver property to the other as ordered to in a divorce.

What is contempt in parenting?

Contempt is an appropriate remedy for the violation. If the contempt is for a parenting plan violation, you must also prove one of these: the violation was in bad faith. the person violating the parenting plan engaged in intentional misconduct.

Why is a court order invalid?

The Court order is invalid because the court had no authority to act (subject matter jurisdiction), or you were not served with legal notice in the original case (personal jurisdiction). See our publication Which Court Can Enter Custody Orders? Frequently Asked Questions about Jurisdiction.

What to do before filing a contempt of court motion?

Before you file a motion for contempt of court, you may want to exhaust other options, such as sending a demand letter to the other party. The judge may not look kindly on your motion if there were simpler options available to you that you didn't use.

What happens if someone doesn't comply with a court order?

If someone doesn't comply with a court order, they can be held in contempt of court. You may need to file a motion for a judge to hold someone in contempt, typically for violation of a child support or custody order. Most courts have forms you can use, so you can usually do this on your own without an attorney.

What happens if you don't show up to court?

The person you accuse of violating the court order should also be present. If they didn't show up, that usually means you win by default. The judge may issue a bench warrant for their arrest.

How to get a waiver for a lower income?

If you have lower income, you may qualify for a waiver so you don't have to pay any court fees. To apply, you'll need to fill out an affidavit with information about your income and household expenses. You can get an affidavit at the clerk's office and fill it out there. The clerk may have to witness your signature.

Can a judge issue a judgment later?

They may issue judgment and sanctions from the bench, or they may take the papers and issue a decision later. If the judge is entering a decision later, you'll be instructed when to return to the court clerk's office and get a copy of the order.

Does a waiver of service cover service fees?

If you were granted a fee wa iver, it may cover your service fees as well. You may not need to have the other person served if you have a waiver of service agreement with them. If you're not sure whether they've waived service, err on the side of caution and have them served anyway.

What is the punishment for contempt of court?

Contempt of court is punishable by an order to comply with the prior order. Repeated violations may be punishable by confinement (jail) until the requirements of the order are satisfied. Also, the court may also require the obligor to pay the legal fees of the party seeking to enforce the order.

What is the meaning of "contempt of court"?

“Contempt” is a legal term (often referred to as “Contempt of Court”) that is used when a party in a lawsuit has failed to do (or not do) what a judge has ordered.

What is the difference between "show cause" and "contempt"?

“Contempt” is a legal term (often referred to as “Contempt of Court”) that is used when a party in a lawsuit has failed to do (or not do) what a judge has ordered. “Show cause” is the act of explaining why an action ordered by the court as not carried out or followed.

Can a court order one party to pay child support?

For example, a court may order one party to pay support to another via a lawsuit — maybe for child support or alimony payments or reimbursed expenses such as medical or schooling — and this order will be strictly enforced.

What happens if you don't pay a court order?

If the payments are not made as the court or judge has intended or directed, the party who is owed the money can ask the court to require the other party to “show cause” to why the payments are not being made in order to prevent themselves from being held in “contempt” of court.

Is a willful failure to pay a court order a legal excuse?

If the lack of payments or carrying out orders is “willful”, then it is without legal justification or excuse. However, the party may “show cause” by proving they were disabled or simply could not pay. The willful failure to comply with a court order is “contempt of court”.

What is the term for a willful failure to comply with a court order?

The willful failure to comply with a court order is “contempt of court”. Contempt of court is punishable by an order to comply with the prior order. Repeated violations may be punishable by confinement (jail) until the requirements of the order are satisfied.

What happens if a plaintiff wins a civil contempt suit?

If the plaintiff wins a civil contempt suit, he or she may be entitled to attorneys fees. Examples of violating a court order include failure to pay child support or failure to follow a restraining order.

What is contempt of court?

Contempt of court includes misconduct in the presence of a court, including any action that interferes with a judge’s ability to administer justice. Contempt also includes any behavior that insults the court. Contempt is punishable by fine or imprisonment or both.

Is there a criminal trial for indirect contempt?

No criminal trial is needed for such a charge. Indirect criminal contempt is a charge brought by a prosecutor against a defendant who has willfully violated a court order. To convict a defendant of indirect criminal contempt, all criminal procedural protections are attached, including proving the contempt beyond a reasonable doubt.

What is indirect contempt?

Indirect criminal contempt is a charge brought by a prosecutor against a defendant who has willfully violated a court order. To convict a defendant of indirect criminal contempt, all criminal procedural protections are attached, including proving the contempt beyond a reasonable doubt.

What are the two types of contempt?

What Are the Different Types of Contempt? There are two basic types of contempt of court. The first type is criminal contempt, which may be further divided into direct and indirect contempt. Direct contempt is when a person acts disruptively in a court room and the judge uses his authority to summarily declare that person to be in contempt of court.

What to do if your attorney doesn't comply with your obligations?

If a lawyer does not fulfill those obligations then a client might be able to seek recourse for the lawyer’s behavior.

What happens if a lawyer does not fulfill his or her obligations?

If a lawyer does not fulfill those obligations then a client might be able to seek recourse for the lawyer’s behavior. Therefore, it is important for clients to understand what their lawyers’ obligations are and what they can do if those obligations are not met.

What is the responsibility of an attorney?

An attorney has the responsibility to provide competent representation to each client. That means that the attorney must have the legal knowledge and skill to represent the client in a particular matter and be thorough in his or her legal preparation.

What is a disciplinary complaint against an attorney?

A client, who believes that an attorney violated his or her ethical obligations, can file a disciplinary complaint against the attorney with the state bar disciplinary committee. Typically, this involves a hearing on the client’s complaint.

What is the power of a board of attorney?

The board has the power to issue public or private reprimands and to temporarily or permanently revoke a person’s license to practice law in that jurisdiction. Clients also have the right to pursue legal malpractice claims in court.

Can a client pursue a malpractice claim in court?

Clients also have the right to pursue legal malpractice claims in court. If a client successfully proves that a lawyer was negligent or guilty of misconduct and that the client suffered monetary damages as a result then the client may recover those damages in a professional malpractice lawsuit.

Do attorneys have to take a professional responsibility exam?

In most jurisdictions, attorneys are required to take and pass a Professional Responsibility Exam prior to being admitted to the bar. Upon admittance to the bar, attorneys agree to comply with the ethical requirements of their jurisdiction. Most attorneys uphold that promise.