How to Enforce a Court Order in a Family Law Case

Step 1: Figure out  the type of order being violated

You can ask the court to enforce orders about:

• Parenting time (visits with your child)
• Decision-making responsibilities 
• Child support
• Spousal maintenance (alimony)
• Property or debt division 

Step 2: Collect evidence

Before going to court, gather proof that the other person is not following the order. Examples include:

• Missed support payments (bank records, CSE records)
• Texts/emails denying visits
• Missed parenting time logs
• Refusal to transfer property or pay debts

Step 3: Choose the right form to file

Choose from these forms based on your specific situation:

• JDF 1418: Motion Concerning Parenting Time Disputes
  • Use this if the other parent is denying or blocking court-ordered visits.
• JDF 1816: Motion for Contempt of Court
  • Use this if the other person is willfully disobeying any court order, such as:
    • Not paying child support or maintenance
    • Refusing to hand over property
    • Ignoring parenting time orders

• JDF 1813: Verified Entry of Support Judgment
  • Use this if you want to collect unpaid child support or spousal support. 
    • This may also be handled through Child Support Services (CSS) if one of the unpaid amounts is child support.
  • If the court agrees with you and enters a "support judgment," you will receive a transcript of this judgment. 
    • You must then take that transcript of the judgment to the County Clerk and Recorder office in any county where the other person lives or where they own property.
    • Once you do that, the judgment becomes a lien on any property the other person owns in that county. This means the property cannot be sold without the buyer paying what is owed on the judgment.
• JDF 1814: Motion for Clerk to Transfer Title of Property
  • Use this if the court awarded you certain property (like a home or car) but the other person is refusing to sign the title of the property over to you. 

Step 4: File the motion with the court

File in the same court where the original order was issued.

• You can file in person or online.
• There may be a filing fee. If you can’t afford the fee, ask for a fee waiver by filling out JDF 205. If approved, you can file for free.

Step 5: Serve the other person

You must give the other parent a copy of the form(s) you filed:

• By electronic service if the other parent has signed up for Colorado’s e-filing system  
• Or by U.S. mail to their mailing address on file with the court 

You must also complete and file JDF 98: Affidavit of Service, confirming how you sent a copy to the other parent

Step 6: Go to mediation

The judge may order you and the other parent to mediate before a hearing. Mediation is a meeting where both sides try to reach an agreement on the issues without going to trial. A neutral person called a mediator will help you. 

The mediator helps guide the conversation and talk through the disagreements to try to help you reach an agreement, but they do not take sides or make decisions for you.  

What you talk about in mediation can’t be used in court. So you do not need to worry about an offer you make in mediation being brought up in a hearing. 

Step 7: Go to the Hearing

The judge will schedule a hearing if you and the other person can ‘t fix the issue on your own

• Bring documents, photos, or records that show the violation
• Explain what you want the court to do (for example: order compliance, payment, make-up time)
• Stay calm and focused on the facts

If the judge finds the other party “willfully violated” the order, they may order fines, make-up time, wage garnishment, or even jail time.