subject: Called in Court for Contempt? Don't Do These Things [print this page] There are several things you can do if you find yourself in court facing a contempt of court charge for nonpayment of child support. It is very important to follow through and do these things, but there are also several things you definitely do not want to do as well. Jail time and serious trouble could be in your future if you end up doing the things listed below. So if you end up in court, avoid doing the following:
Do not have a bad attitude. This will get you absolutely nowhere. No judge wants to deal with a cocky or smart attitude. It could completely ruin your defense.
Do not be angry. Your Ex may end up saying all kinds of things that are not true, but getting angry will upset everyone and cause you to lose your head. You need to be calm and level headed.
Do not be unprepared. You need to know in advance what your defense will be, and you need to have everything ready and laid out. A strong defense will depend on strong documentation and a well-written plan.
Never refuse to pay. Make payments of some type, even if they are small. Have a payment plan ready for making back payments. Show you are willing to do whatever it takes to comply. Have a child support modification plan ready, if needed.
Don't panic. If you are told you are going to end up in jail, stay calm. Don't try to gather the money from friends and family. This just shows you can pay if you are desperate, and plays right into her hands. Most of the time, you will never see jail time, and even if you do, it's usually not for any length of time.
Called in Court for Contempt? Don't Do These Things
