My question involves a visitation case between me and grandparents in Ohio court. I wasn't married when I had my baby and because of that grandparents rights were awarded.
They do some things that I do not agree with and I cut one of their visits short. they filed contempt. The judge denied all contempt charges that there filed against me except the one. The judge denied all attorney fees.
This is the part I don't understand.. the judges decision about the contempt charge.
"--is found guilty of contempt of court and is fined 250.00, suspended on the condition that she purge her contempt as follows: By paying plaintiffs the sum of 3,500.00 in attorney fees and 200.00 in filing fees. Defendant shall liquidate said amounts by paying plaintiffs the sum of 250.00 per months beginning january 1, 2014 until fully liquidated. said amounts should be paid no later than the 1st of each month.
Does this mean that I am required to pay them 3500.00 with 200.00. Or that I have the choice to purge my contempt by paying the 3500. If I do not purge my contempt I pay the 250.00 and have the contempt charge on my record? And if I do pay the 3500 and purge my contempt does the contempt charge disappear?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Purging Contempt of Court
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11-20-2013, 08:39 AMyoungmomPurging Contempt of Court
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11-20-2013, 09:19 AMflyingronRe: Figuring Out What Judges Decision Means
It means that if you pay the plaintiffs the $3700 (which you are allowed to do $250 a month until you're done), they won't hit you up with an addition $250 (to be paid to the court) for the contempt. Note it's not really an either-or situation. Even if you pay the court $250, they still apparently ordered you to pay the $3700. Expect an additional contempt charge (possibly with greater penalties) if you don't.
The charge isn't ever coming off the record. -
11-20-2013, 02:52 PMTwikRe: Figuring Out What Judges Decision MeansQuote:
Quoting youngmom
OMG, I needed their lawyer. Sorry but I had to take my ex back for cutting me out of 17 days of visitation over the course of 18 months. All documented, even with the ex putting in writing "sorry, I'm busy and the kids don't really want to come this week, you've had them 3 weeks already, that's enough"...
She was absolutely found in contempt and I did not get a penny of my legal fees covered. I did get my time back, which was by FAR the most important part. But I always hated the fact that I had to spend 3k for 17 days. Didn't seem quite right.
What is amazing and sad is, if that was truly your only time and experience like this, that the Grandparents took you to court for cutting 1 visit short... Seems extreme.
Best wishes. -
11-20-2013, 03:13 PMDogmatiqueRe: Figuring Out What Judges Decision MeansQuote:
Quoting Twik
There's a huge difference though.
Between two parents, the court has other far more severe options if the parent continues all the way up to switching custody to the other parent.
Between a parent and a grandparent? They are very limited in what they can do to punish the guilty party. They can't switch custody, for example.