What it is: a special petition filed to alert the court that a party has violated an existing court order — for example, child support is not being paid — and asking for relief as a result.
Why it matters: this is the legal remedy when someone is not follow a court order. The judge “shows cause” — that is, the violating party must explain to the court why they have failed to obey the order. It is a serious step, and evidence matters.
What happens at the hearing: the filing party shows the violation; the other side must show cause (a reason) why they shouldn’t be held in contempt. If the court agrees, it can order compliance, fines, and fee-shifting.
Watch out for: this is the enforcement tool, not a negotiation. Use it when an order is genuinely being ignored — and bring proof, not frustration.
