how to enforce a custody agreement without a lawyer nc

by Arnoldo Towne Sr. 9 min read

In order to enforce a child custody order in North Carolina, take the following three steps: Contact a knowledgeable attorney to discuss your situation, understand your options, and protect your rights. File an appropriate motion with the court to hold the co-parent in contempt for violating the child custody order.

Without a court order, police or the courts can enforce your custody agreement only if you believe your child is in immediate danger. If that is ever the case, don't wait to call the local police or the child abduction unit at the county district attorney's office.

Full Answer

How to file for custody in North Carolina?

Filing for Custody in North Carolina: 4 Steps Step 1: Complete forms To begin, you'll need to complete three forms: Domestic Civil Action Cover Sheet Complaint for... Step 2: Open your case Head to the district court in the county you listed on your forms. You'll need to pay the court... Step 3: ...

How can I use the custody X Change app in NC?

The Custody X Change app offers a parenting plan template, personalized custody calendars and a shared expenses tracker. You can use the app in many ways in North Carolina: to negotiate, prepare evidence, file for settlement and more. Be prepared for every step of your case with Custody X Change.

How do I file for custody without an attorney?

For help reaching an agreement, you can try alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation or collaborative law. When all else fails, you can litigate in court. If you choose to settle or litigate without an attorney, follow the steps below to file for custody.

How to enforce a custody order in your home state?

Enforcing a Custody Order in Your Home State 1. Keep a copy of the court order in a secure place. This is very important. This should be a certified copy issued by... 2. Review the order. If you are in the early stages of a child custody dispute, review the details of the order to see... 3. Begin by ...

How do I enforce a custody order in NC?

Steps to Take to Enforce a Court OrderConsult with an experienced family law attorney to ensure your rights are protected.File a Motion for Contempt or a Motion for Order to Show Cause to request the judge hold the other parent in contempt for violating an existing court order.More items...•

What happens if parent violates custody agreement in NC?

A person who violates a court order involving custody, child support, visitation, alimony and other family law issues can be found in contempt of court and face jail time for such a violation. A couple of North Carolina cases have highlighted and addressed these issues.

What happens if a parent breaks a child arrangement order?

Ultimately the Court has the power to order unpaid work (between 40 and 200 hours), financial compensation to the other party, a fine, transfer of a child's residence to the other parent and in the most serious cases, the imprisonment of the uncooperative party.

How do I file a motion for contempt in NC?

Take your completed packet to the Clerk's Office (Civil Filing Department), Room 3725. This is where you file your motion and pay the required $20 filing fee. 3. Request that the Judge sign the Order to Appear and Show Cause.

Can a sheriff enforce a custody order in NC?

Call the police Authorities hesitate to get involved if there hasn't been a crime, but police can enforce child custody when necessary. However, police can only enforce a custody order's terms.

How long does a father have to be absent to lose his rights in North Carolina?

6 consecutive monthsAbandonment. A parent who has willfully abandoned a child for at least 6 consecutive months (or an infant for at least 60 consecutive days) can have their parental rights terminated.

Who enforces a child arrangement order?

The family law court orders enforcement to ensure the parent in breach of court order complies with an order. An enforcement order can be obtained if one of the parents is failing therefore has committed a child arrangement order breach.

Who enforces a child court order?

the family CourtIf you can prove to the family Court beyond a reasonable doubt that your ex-partner has failed to follow a Child Arrangements order. The family Court has wide-ranging powers including: Varying the Child Arrangements order. Ordering an enforcement order (or suspended order) against your ex-partner.

How do I report a breach of a child arrangement order?

Firstly, you can apply to enforce your Child Arrangements Order if your Child Arrangements Order contains a 'Warning Notice' which states the consequence of failing to comply with the order. The Child Arrangements Order must contain this warning notice to allow an enforcement order to be made by the court.

Is contempt of court a felony in NC?

If the court approves, the defendant will be held in civil contempt and can be ordered to pay a fine and/or receive time in jail. Violating a valid DVPO in North Carolina is a Class A1 misdemeanor, and can be punishable by up to 150 days in jail depending on the person's previous criminal record.

What is the punishment of contempt of court?

(1) Save as otherwise expressly provided in this Act or in any other law, a contempt of court may be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, or with both: —(1) Save as otherwise expressly provided in this Act or in any other law, ...

What is civil contempt NC?

Civil contempt applies to a person's willful failure to comply with a court order when he or she is capable of complying with that order. Civil contempt requires plenary proceedings pursuant to statute, which includes receiving notice, the right to counsel, and a requirement that the court make findings of fact.

When Should I Enforce a Child Custody Order in North Carolina?

When a parent fails or refuses to comply with the child custody order, it is usually best to try to resolve your dispute without getting the court involved. However, it is not always possible to resolve disputes without enforcing a child custody order.

Enforcing a Child Custody Order in North Carolina

In order to enforce a child custody order in North Carolina, take the following three steps:

What are the Penalties for Violating a Child Custody Order in North Carolina?

Fortunately, you can hold the co-parent accountable for their violation of the child custody order. This can be done through a motion asking the court to enforce the order. If the other parent fails or refuses to comply with a child custody order, they may face serious consequences.

What happens if a child custody agreement is not obeyed?

If a child custody agreement is not obeyed, an attorney can help you hold your co-parent’s actions accountable in court. To be able to punish your co-parent for violating a court order, a judge must first determine that he/she is in contempt of court.

What happens if your co-parent refuses to give you custody?

If your co-parent refuses to adhere to an existing child custody order, this could have a serious effect on your daily life, not to mention your child’s. This is especially true in cases where a parent forbids their child from seeing his/her other parent.

What happens if you are held in contempt of court?

The consequences of being held in contempt of court include but are not limited to the following: Fines . Modification to the child custody agreement. Compensatory visitation.

What happens if my ex-spouse doesn't comply with court orders?

If they do not comply with the court order, they risk jail time and other penalties for contempt.

Why do you have to enforce a co-parent order?

However, there are other reasons why you might need to enforce this order including but not limited to: Concern over whether your co-parent may kidnap your child. Co-parent takes your child and leaves the country. Fear that your child may be being abused and/or neglected.

What happens when a family law dispute is settled?

In an ideal world, once a family law dispute has been settled, both parties would honor their court-ordered obligations. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

Can a court order result in litigation?

Unfortunately, even after an order has been entered and the parties’ rights and responsibilities have been established, the failure of one party to fulfill their court-ordered obligations can result in more litigation.

How to enforce a court order?

After you have a court order, your enforcement options include: 1 negotiating with the other parent to reach an agreement that works better 2 asking the police to step in and help, and 3 reporting the other parent's behavior to the family court judge.

What happens if your child's other parent violates your parenting agreement?

If your child's other parent has been violating your parenting agreement, you can take steps to enforce it. Your options depend on whether or not a judge approved your plan. When a judge signs off on a custody or visitation agreement, it becomes a court order. The order is then legally binding on both parents and easier to enforce.

What to do after a court order?

After you have a court order, your enforcement options include: negotiating with the other parent to reach an agreement that works better. asking the police to step in and help, and. reporting the other parent's behavior to the family court judge.

Can you enforce custody without a court order?

Without a court order, police or the courts can enforce your custody agreement only if a child is in immediate danger. If you are afraid for your child's safety, don't hesitate to call the local police. After you have a court order, your enforcement options include: negotiating with the other parent to reach an agreement that works better.

How long do you have to separate before filing for divorce in North Carolina?

Kind in mind that parents must separate for at least 12 months before filing for divorce, even in cases involving domestic violence. Custody X Change is software that creates customizable parenting plans and schedules you can file with the court. Yes, Make My North Carolina Plan Now.

How long does it take to respond to a parent's lawsuit?

When the parent files their response, they must serve you with a copy. If it includes counterclaims or new claims, you have to reply within 30 days.

What to do if you don't know where your parent lives?

— you may hire a private process server. Lastly, if you don't know where the other parent lives, the court may let you post a weekly notice in a newspaper.

Can you file custody X change in North Carolina?

Custody X Change is software that creates customizable parenting plans and schedules you can file with the court. Yes, Make My North Carolina Plan Now.

Can you file for custody without an attorney?

When all else fails, you can litigate in court. If you choose to settle or litigate without an attorney, follow the steps below to file for custody. If you have an attorney or use an alternative dispute resolution method, the person you hire will likely file for you. Kind in mind that parents must separate for at least 12 months before filing ...

What to do if your ex refuses child support?

Just as with child support or spousal support, if your ex is refusing or interfering with visitation with your children you will need to hire a divorce attorney and file a petition for contempt of the divorce settlement agreement.

What to do if your ex isn't paying child support?

If your ex isn’t complying with court-ordered child support or spousal support you will need to hire a divorce attorney to file a petition for contempt. Once this is done a judge can “compel” your ex to pay by garnishing their wages or sending them to jail until they agree to make regular payments.

What does a divorce settlement cover?

Divorce settlement agreements can be fairly basic. They can cover child support, visitation, and payment of marital debt or , they can cover everything from the right of first refusal to the custody of the family pet. In other words, when it comes to these agreements there can be a few things that are defiable, or there can be quite ...

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Cathy is a Master Certified Relationship Coach and Certified Marriage Educator. She is also the Founding and Managing Editor of DivorcedMoms.com – the leading resource and community for divorced moms to connect, communicate, express their passion and thoughts, share experiences, and find expert information and advice.