In Fairfax County, custody contempt under Va. Code § 20-107.3 carries potential jail time and fines. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 1789 documented case results in Fairfax County. A Custody Contempt Lawyer Fairfax County can help you enforce or defend against a custody order violation.
Last verified: April 2026 | Fairfax County General District Court | Va. Code § 20-107.3 (official Virginia General Assembly)
Virginia law defines contempt of court as any act that disobeys, resists, or interferes with a court order. In family law, a custody order violation occurs when a parent fails to follow the terms of a custody or visitation order. The court can hold the violating party in contempt, which may result in fines, make-up parenting time, or jail time. The statute governing contempt is found in Va. Code § 20-107.3, which Mr. Sris personally amended. A contempt of custody order lawyer Fairfax County can explain how these laws apply to your specific situation.
For custody contempt specifically, Va. Code § 20-107.3 governs the court’s authority to enforce custody and visitation orders. This statute allows the court to impose sanctions for willful violations, including compensatory time, fines, and attorney’s fees. The court must find that the violation was willful before imposing punishment. A Custody Contempt Lawyer Fairfax County can help you prove or defend against a willful violation claim.
For more information, review the Va. Code § 20-107.3 (official Virginia General Assembly) and the Fairfax County General District Court website.
In Fairfax County Circuit Court, custody contempt cases require clear and convincing evidence of a willful violation. The court typically schedules a show cause hearing within 30-60 days of filing. The violating party must appear and explain their actions. A Custody Contempt Lawyer Fairfax County knows the local judges’ expectations for evidence and documentation.
- File a motion for show cause at Fairfax County Circuit Court (4110 Chain Bridge Road).
- Serve the motion on the other parent at least 21 days before the hearing.
- Gather evidence of the violation: text messages, emails, calendars, witness statements.
- Attend the show cause hearing and present your evidence to the judge.
- The judge will determine if the violation was willful and order a remedy.
In Fairfax County, custody contempt carries potential jail time up to 12 months, fines up to $2,500, and make-up parenting time.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-time custody order violation | Civil contempt | Up to 10 days | Up to $1,000 | None | Make-up parenting time, attorney’s fees |
| Willful violation (multiple) | Criminal contempt | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | None | Probation, counseling, supervised visitation |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. The firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience and firm-wide 4,739+ documented case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute that governs custody contempt enforcement in Virginia. The firm’s tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 1789 total documented case results across all practice areas in Fairfax County, with a 97% favorable outcome rate. These results include custody contempt cases where the firm successfully enforced or defended against custody order violations.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Fairfax location is located near the Fairfax County courts at 4110 Chain Bridge Road, accessible via I-66 and Route 50. A Custody Contempt Lawyer Fairfax County near Fairfax can help with your case. We serve Fairfax, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Herndon, Reston, McLean, Vienna, Tysons, Oakton, Springfield, Annandale, and the Falls Church area. 24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Fairfax
4008 Williamsburg Ct, Fairfax, VA 22032, United States
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (703) 636-5417
By appointment only. 24/7 phone consultations.
Can I go to jail for violating a custody order in Fairfax County?
Yes. A willful violation of a custody order can result in jail time up to 12 months for criminal contempt. First-time violations may result in make-up parenting time instead of jail. The court must find the violation was willful before imposing incarceration.
How do I file a contempt motion for custody in Fairfax County?
File a motion for show cause at Fairfax County Circuit Court (4110 Chain Bridge Road). The filing fee is approximately $86. You must serve the motion on the other parent at least 21 days before the hearing. The court will schedule a hearing within 30-60 days.
What evidence do I need for a custody contempt case in Fairfax County?
You need clear and convincing evidence of a willful violation. This includes text messages, emails, calendars showing missed visits, witness statements, and any communication about the violation. The court requires specific dates and times of each violation.
Can a custody order violation affect future custody decisions in Fairfax County?
Yes. A pattern of custody order violations can negatively impact future custody decisions. The court considers each parent’s willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent. Repeated violations may result in modified custody arrangements.
How long does a custody contempt case take in Fairfax County?
A show cause hearing is typically scheduled within 30-60 days of filing the motion. The hearing itself lasts 1-2 hours. If the court finds contempt, it may order a remedy immediately or schedule a follow-up hearing for sanctions. The entire process usually takes 2-4 months.
Learn more about Virginia family law or find a Falls Church custody contempt lawyer. For other legal needs in Fairfax County, see our Fairfax County criminal defense lawyer page.
Last verified: April 2026. Information current as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for updated guidance.