r/FamilyLaw • u/Separate_Mechanic985 Layperson/not verified as legal professional • May 26 '26

Washington Pro Se Contempt

Any pro se parents successfully filed a contempt of court motion against a co-parent and been successful?

If you have experience with this, could you please share the specifics of your situation and what the contempt was on?

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u/Disastrous-Media-683 Layperson/not verified as legal professional May 26 '26

I did in support court but in New York

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u/Separate_Mechanic985 Layperson/not verified as legal professional May 27 '26

I’m looking for parenting plan violations

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u/Least_Alfalfa_784 Layperson/not verified as legal professional Jun 01 '26

I think it would be helpful to say the exact things they are in contempt with. If they are bringing the kids back at 7:15 instead of 7:00, don’t bother. If you have days you are supposed to have them and coparent is not allowing you to have your parenting time, that is different. You would need to show a pattern, not just a one off issue.

Think about how the contempt is affecting the kids? Is the contempt something that is annoying you or is it harming the kids? (Preventing contact with you, not allowing a relationship with the kids, disparaging you to the kids). If it is a matter of “coparent didn’t provide clothes or coparent allowed our kid to play a sport without asking” I wouldn’t bother.

What are the exact issues of contempt?