Contempt For Failing To Pay Medical Expenses

Where an order or judgment in a divorce or paternity case requires a party to pay uncovered medical expenses one might think that to be enforceable by contempt.

Not necessarily.  Enforceability thorough contempt may depend on exactly what the order or judgment states and how specific it is.

For instance an order of contempt has been overuled on appeal where the order violated was not specific enough, stating only that the Former Husband bring current within 90 days those uncovered medical expenses for which he had received documentation.

While the trial court found the language sufficient to find the Former Husband in contempt when the Former Husband did not pay the 5th District Court of Appeals held that the language of the order was not sufficiently specific as to what the Husband was to pay to find the Former Husband in contempt for non payment.

If you have questions about contempt proceedings, an order, or judgment and enforceable please contact us to set up a time to discuss your specific circumstances.