Contempt Of Court Charges In Fort Lauderdale Child Time-Sharing Cases

Child time-sharing arrangements allow both parents to remain active and involved in their child’s life in the event of a divorce or separation. Once a parenting plan is created and a child time-sharing order is put in place, the parties are legally obligated to follow it. Failure to do so could result in contempt of court charges. Find out more about what this means and the penalties you could face as a result.

Failure To Comply With A Fort Lauderdale Parenting Plan

Under the Florida Statutes, child time-sharing is generally encouraged and considered to be in the child’s best interests. This involves putting a parenting plan in place, detailing the amount of time each party gets to spend with the child, including basic living arrangements and the rights to visits on weekends, birthdays, school breaks, and holidays.

There are a variety of factors the court will consider prior to approving a parenting plan and issuing a child time-sharing order. One of these is each parent’s willingness to cooperate with the other in implementing the plan. Failure to comply with the terms of this or any type of court order could result in contempt of court charges. Actions or inactions that could result in contempt of court in Fort Lauderdale child time-sharing cases include:

• Failure to surrender the child to the other parent for visits;
• Failure to appear for visits or return the child at the regularly scheduled time;
• Attempting to move out of the immediate area;
• Taking any type of action that puts the child at risk;
• Engaging in any type of harassment, verbal or physical abuse, or other actions that jeopardize the safety or well-being of the other parent;
• Making decisions on the child’s behalf, without proper authorization;
• Failing to cooperate with any other provisions contained within the court order.

Penalties For Contempt Of Court Charges In Florida

Failing to comply with any type of formal order issued through the Broward County Court could result in contempt of court charges. Penalties that could result in Fort Lauderdale child time-sharing cases include:

• Being taken back to court by the other parent;
• Modifications to the original order that limit your time with the child;
• Payment of fines, court costs, and attorney fees;
• Potential loss of parenting privileges, including the right to regularly scheduled visits with the child;
• The possibility of incarceration until you agree to comply with the court order.

Be aware that even if a parent moves to another area, local child time-sharing orders still apply.

Discuss Your Situation With Our Fort Lauderdale Child Time-Sharing Lawyer

If you have a child time-sharing order in place and the other parent fails to comply with it, you have the right to request modifications. If you are unhappy with a current parent plan, discuss the situation with our office first, rather than taking actions that could jeopardize your rights and result in contempt of court charges. To request a consultation with Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer Vanessa L. Prieto, call or contact us online today.

Sources:

flcourts.gov/content/download/686031/file_pdf/995a.pdf

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.13.html

browardclerk.org/