Family law courts handle divorce, child custody and support, paternity, and domestic violence cases. Family court orders may include custody, visitation, child support, discovery, and paternity testing. Noncompliance with court orders may result in contempt of court and fines or jail time.
In many legal systems, there is a court dedicated to handling anything that is considered family law matters. While the jurisdiction of a particular family law court will vary, most will have jurisdiction over divorce, child custody and support, and paternity cases. Some family courts also handle domestic violence protection orders. A family court judge can issue a family court order, which is a court order that the litigants must follow or they may face contempt of court.
Examples of a family court order that might be made in a divorce case include a preliminary custody, visitation, and child support order; an order to compel discovery; and a custody change order. When children are involved in divorce proceedings, the judge will typically issue a temporary or preliminary order setting out custody and visitation arrangements, as well as ordering the noncustodial parent to pay child support while the divorce is pending. A forced discovery order is another family court order that can be issued if one of the parties to the divorce fails to comply with court rules requiring the discovery of pertinent information, such as financial records. An order to change custody can be made if either party to a divorce requests a change to the current custody arrangements for minor children.
Child support is another area where the court often issues a family court order. An initial child support order will be filed directing the noncustodial parent to pay support to the custodial parent. A contempt injunction could be issued if the parent ordered to pay support fails to comply with the order. If found in contempt of court, a person could face further fines and/or jail time. A party ordered to pay child support may also file a motion to change the child support order if his or her financial circumstances change, which may lead the court to issue an injunction changing the child support order. original children.
A paternity case may require the judge to issue an order for DNA testing of the putative or alleged father. The court will order that the putative father and the child be tested to determine whether the man is the child’s biological father. If the test indicates that he is, in fact, the biological father, the court will issue a paternity order, which legally establishes the man as the child’s father.
A family court order can also be issued in domestic violence cases. Some family courts handle petitions for protective orders or restraining orders when a person has been a victim of domestic violence. If the judge believes that the legal requirements have been met, he will issue a restraining order requiring the defendant to refrain from contact with the plaintiff.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
