A motion for contempt is a request to the court to force someone to comply with the terms of a previous court order. Once you move for contempt, you will need to attend a hearing during which the court will hear both sides and determine whether contempt has occurred. In divorce court, contempt motions may be appropriate if a party fails to pay court-ordered child support or alimony, fails to abide by the timesharing schedule, fails to provide discovery, or fails to participate in the court-ordered distribution of marital property. Generally, sanctions for civil contempt end when the party in contempt complies with the court order, or the underlying case resolves. Civil contempt can result in punishment including orders to do or not do something, monetary damages, and even jail time (although jail time is not typical).