Civil Contempt
Written By Fresh Starts Registry
Pronounced: SIV-uhl kuhn-TEMPT
What it means: If someone ignores a court order (like not paying support or not following the custody plan), they can be held in civil contempt. That means they may face fines or other penalties.
Example: “My ex didn’t pay child support for months, so the judge found them in civil contempt.”
When it's used: After a divorce order is in place and someone doesn’t follow it.
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