Assuming your son files it, yes, it would be a contempt proceeding. However, the consequenses can be quite punitive, depending upon the pattern of behavior, statutory provisions, etc.So what is the worst that could happen if she does not send them....just another contempt charge?
Both your son and his ex have joint legal custody, therefore the police will not intervene and force the mom to hand over the kids. They leave that stuff to the civil courts to sort out. However, that doesn't mean that your son shouldn't attempt to exercise his visitation with his children. If he doesn't try to get the kids, then he has no grounds to stand on for a contempt motion. Mom could easily say that she saw the error of her ways and would have given your son his kids if he purchased the plane tickets and/or had shown up to get them. Of course, the need to attempt to exercise his visitation does not necessarily mean that he has to physically go to his ex's house; if his court orders say that he is to purchase airline tickets for the kids and she is to put the kids on the plane, but doesn't do so, that should be sufficient for the courts.If he has orders in hand stating he gets them 04/24-04/30, can he go get them with help of local police?
As an aside, and with the realization that the other memebers of this forum may stomp on me for this (and that's okay), I'd like to pose a semi-retorical question: Why were the original contempt allegations dropped?
I realize that I don't have all the facts of this case, and I'm hesitant to question an attorney, but by agreeing to dismiss the contempt "charges" and entering into this temporary visitation agreement, I am concerned that your son may have provided his ex with permission to keep the kids out of state, killed his custody petition, and turned himself into a long distance parent.
Unless they weren't really "dropped". Perhaps your son's ex is stipulating to the allegations.

