Filing a Motion to Enforce Your Judgment of Divorce. Contempt of court filing, in michigan 3 years ago, I was awarded in my divorce 6,000 dollars, washer dryer refrig and a porch swing and I have never gotten any of it, can i file contempt of court charges? Contempt motions, in family law cases, may be filed when one of the parties has violated parenting time arrangements, failed to pay child support, failed to pay spousal maintenance, withheld property or relocated out of state, with a child, without court permission. The Michigan Supreme Court is providing the information on this site as a public service. What did Pamela do to be found in contempt of court? You must first file a motion for contempt, also called a motion to show cause, in the court that issued the original divorce order and request that the court issue an order holding the other party in contempt of the order. If your ex-spouse doesn’t sign the paperwork needed to transfer title to property you were awarded in your JOD, you can file a motion asking the court to enforce the title transfer. Contempt of Court Benchbook was authored by MJI Research Attorney Alessa Boes and was edited by MJI Publications Manager Sarah Roth. Although every effort is made to maintain accurate information on this site, the Michigan Supreme Court does not guarantee the accuracy of the information. Contempt of court refers generally to any willful disobedience to, or disregard of, a court order or any misconduct in the presence of a court or action that interferes with a judge's ability to administer justice or that insults the dignity of the court, and is punishable by fine or imprisonment or both. 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 or her in contempt. The author of this edition was greatly assisted by an editorial advisory committee whose members reviewed draft text and provided valuable feedback. For example, failure to pay court ordered child support can lead to punishment for civil contempt. Finding your ex-spouse in contempt of court, and ordering them to pay a fine or spend time in jail ; Title Transfer. Although the phrase "file charges" generally relates to criminal cases, judges can hold people in contempt for not following a previous court order. The information is updated frequently based upon the needs of our users. In the Hanley case, Mrs. Hanley (Pamela) was determined to be in criminal contempt of court by the trial court for violating the court’s order in her divorce case. On October 26, 2017, the Michigan Court of Appeals decided the case of Hanley v. Hanley. Civil contempt of court most often happens when someone fails to adhere to an order from the court, with resulting injury to a private party's rights.