What it is: the document that contains a judge’s ruling — what you must (or must not) do. Orders can deal with how(not only) support, parenting time, or anything the court decided in your case.
What this means for you: orders are legally binding. Failing to follow an order can lead to contempt and orders to pay the other side’s attorney’s fees — far costlier than simply complying or asking for a modification in time.
Types you’ll see: temporary orders (during the case), the final judgment (after), and post-decree orders (after that). Each is enforceable on its own.
Watch out for: an order is not “just paperwork.” Violating one — missing parenting time, hiding a child, skipping a payment — can bring a rule to show cause and contempt. When life changes, modify it; don’t ignore it.
