At the conclusion of any case, whether it is a divorce or a custody case, an order is entered by the Court that the parties are obligated to follow.  When a court order is not followed, contempt hearings can be initiated to enforce the terms of an existing court order.  Contempt cases are commonly brought regarding child support and child custody, but there are many other family-law related orders that may be enforce via a contempt proceeding.  The court can impose serious consequences as a result of violating one of its orders, which could include a “purge” provision requiring the other party to rid themselves of the contempt, attorney’s fees and, in extreme cases, jail time.