If someone violates the provisions of a custody order, a party can file a Petition for Contempt along with a Notice and Order to Appear. If someone violates a custody order, then he/she can be subject to a fine, imprisonment or other remedies.

There are separate forms on the Supreme Court's Web Site available for your use regarding enforcing a custody order/contempt. If a custody order does not already exist or if you want to modify (change) the already existing order, you should not use this form but rather you should use the appropriate form found on the Supreme Court's Web Site and follow the instructions.

After filling out the Petition for Contempt and Notice and Order to Appear, report to the chambers of the judge assigned to your case. (Although you may use the Notice and Order to Appear found on the Supreme Court's web page, the Contempt Notice and Order to Appear found on the Westmoreland County Custody Forms web page is specifically adapted to county practice.) A member of the Judge's staff will schedule a hearing and sign your order. Make three copies of each document (Law Library – 2nd Floor). The original will be filed with the Prothonotary’s Office (5th Floor, Annex).

Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1915.12(d) requires that the Petition and Notice and Order to Appear be properly served on (mailed or handed to) all other parties, or their attorney, if any. Please read this rule carefully. Please file the Affidavit of Service - Contempt found on the Westmoreland County Custody Forms web page with the Prothonotary’s Office immediately upon serving all parties and their counsel. If all parties cannot be properly served, your case may be delayed, or even dismissed.

Please refer to Obtaining Counsel section if you cannot afford or do not have a lawyer.