Las Vegas Enforcement & Contempt Lawyer

When Enforcement Action Is Needed

Enforcement issues can arise across nearly every type of family court order, including:

• Custody and parenting time violations— a parent consistently denies scheduled time or fails to return the child as ordered
• Unpaid child support— a parent falls behind on court-ordered support payments
• Unpaid spousal support— a former spouse stops making alimony payments required by the divorce decree
• Property division noncompliance— a former spouse won’t transfer an asset, refinance a loan, or complete another required step from the decree
• Violations of protective orders— a party disregards the terms of a domestic violence protective order

How Enforcement Works in Nevada

The process typically begins with a motion to enforce the existing order. If the violation is serious or ongoing, the next step is often a motion for an order to show cause, which requires the noncompliant party to appear in court and explain why they should not be held in contempt. If the court finds contempt, it has broad discretion to impose remedies designed to bring the party back into compliance.

Remedies for Custody and Parenting Time Violations

Courts can order makeup parenting time, adjust the custody schedule, require the noncompliant parent to cover related costs, and in cases of repeated violations, consider a broader modification of custody. The goal is both to correct the immediate harm and prevent it from happening again.

Remedies for Unpaid Support

Nevada offers a range of tools to enforce unpaid child and spousal support, including wage garnishment, interception of tax refunds, property liens, and suspension of driver’s or professional licenses. In cases of willful nonpayment, the court can also impose contempt penalties, which may include fines or, in serious cases, jail time.

Recovering Costs and Attorney Fees

In many enforcement and contempt cases, Nevada courts have discretion to award attorney fees and costs to the party who had to take action to enforce a valid order, particularly when the other party’s noncompliance was willful. This can help offset the burden of having to go back to court to enforce rights that were already established.

Why Choose Cohen Fic & Squires for Enforcement & Contempt Matters

• Direct experience pursuing motions to enforce and orders to show cause
• Strategic use of Nevada’s full range of support enforcement tools
• Firm advocacy to hold noncompliant parties accountable in custody disputes
• Pursuit of attorney fees and costs where appropriate
• Representation for clients throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, and Clark County

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do if my ex isn’t following our custody order?

You can file a motion to enforce the custody order, and in cases of repeated or serious violations, a motion for an order to show cause why the other parent should not be held in contempt. The court can order makeup parenting time, impose penalties, or in some cases modify custody.

What happens if my ex-spouse stops paying child support?

Nevada offers several enforcement tools for unpaid child support, including wage garnishment, interception of tax refunds, liens on property, suspension of a driver’s or professional license, and contempt proceedings that can result in fines or, in serious cases, jail time.

What is an order to show cause?

An order to show cause requires the noncompliant party to appear in court and explain why they should not be held in contempt for violating a prior order. If the court finds contempt, it can impose a range of remedies and penalties.

Can someone go to jail for violating a family court order in Nevada?

In cases of serious or repeated noncompliance, a court can impose jail time for civil contempt, though this is typically reserved for situations where other remedies have failed to achieve compliance.

Can I recover attorney fees if I have to enforce a court order?

In many enforcement and contempt cases, a court has discretion to award attorney fees and costs to the party who had to bring the enforcement action, particularly when the other party’s noncompliance was willful.

How is a property division order enforced after divorce?

If a former spouse fails to transfer property, make a required payment, or otherwise comply with the property division terms of a divorce decree, the other party can seek enforcement through the court, which may include contempt proceedings or other remedies to compel compliance.

How long do I have to enforce a family court order?

Enforcement timelines vary depending on the type of order and remedy sought. Some enforcement actions, particularly for unpaid child support, can be pursued well after the original order was entered, but it’s best to act promptly once a violation occurs.

When Enforcement Action Is Needed

Enforcement issues can arise across nearly every type of family court order, including:

• Custody and parenting time violations— a parent consistently denies scheduled time or fails to return the child as ordered
• Unpaid child support— a parent falls behind on court-ordered support payments
• Unpaid spousal support— a former spouse stops making alimony payments required by the divorce decree
• Property division noncompliance— a former spouse won’t transfer an asset, refinance a loan, or complete another required step from the decree
• Violations of protective orders— a party disregards the terms of a domestic violence protective order

How Enforcement Works in Nevada

The process typically begins with a motion to enforce the existing order. If the violation is serious or ongoing, the next step is often a motion for an order to show cause, which requires the noncompliant party to appear in court and explain why they should not be held in contempt. If the court finds contempt, it has broad discretion to impose remedies designed to bring the party back into compliance.

Remedies for Custody and Parenting Time Violations

Courts can order makeup parenting time, adjust the custody schedule, require the noncompliant parent to cover related costs, and in cases of repeated violations, consider a broader modification of custody. The goal is both to correct the immediate harm and prevent it from happening again.

Remedies for Unpaid Support

Nevada offers a range of tools to enforce unpaid child and spousal support, including wage garnishment, interception of tax refunds, property liens, and suspension of driver’s or professional licenses. In cases of willful nonpayment, the court can also impose contempt penalties, which may include fines or, in serious cases, jail time.

Recovering Costs and Attorney Fees

In many enforcement and contempt cases, Nevada courts have discretion to award attorney fees and costs to the party who had to take action to enforce a valid order, particularly when the other party’s noncompliance was willful. This can help offset the burden of having to go back to court to enforce rights that were already established.

Why Choose Cohen Fic & Squires for Enforcement & Contempt Matters

• Direct experience pursuing motions to enforce and orders to show cause
• Strategic use of Nevada’s full range of support enforcement tools
• Firm advocacy to hold noncompliant parties accountable in custody disputes
• Pursuit of attorney fees and costs where appropriate
• Representation for clients throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, and Clark County

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do if my ex isn’t following our custody order?

You can file a motion to enforce the custody order, and in cases of repeated or serious violations, a motion for an order to show cause why the other parent should not be held in contempt. The court can order makeup parenting time, impose penalties, or in some cases modify custody.

What happens if my ex-spouse stops paying child support?

Nevada offers several enforcement tools for unpaid child support, including wage garnishment, interception of tax refunds, liens on property, suspension of a driver’s or professional license, and contempt proceedings that can result in fines or, in serious cases, jail time.

What is an order to show cause?

An order to show cause requires the noncompliant party to appear in court and explain why they should not be held in contempt for violating a prior order. If the court finds contempt, it can impose a range of remedies and penalties.

Can someone go to jail for violating a family court order in Nevada?

In cases of serious or repeated noncompliance, a court can impose jail time for civil contempt, though this is typically reserved for situations where other remedies have failed to achieve compliance.

Can I recover attorney fees if I have to enforce a court order?

In many enforcement and contempt cases, a court has discretion to award attorney fees and costs to the party who had to bring the enforcement action, particularly when the other party’s noncompliance was willful.

How is a property division order enforced after divorce?

If a former spouse fails to transfer property, make a required payment, or otherwise comply with the property division terms of a divorce decree, the other party can seek enforcement through the court, which may include contempt proceedings or other remedies to compel compliance.

How long do I have to enforce a family court order?

Enforcement timelines vary depending on the type of order and remedy sought. Some enforcement actions, particularly for unpaid child support, can be pursued well after the original order was entered, but it’s best to act promptly once a violation occurs.