Contempt of visitation in Maryland is a serious matter where a parent willfully violates a court-ordered parenting time schedule under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 9-101. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has extensive criminal defense experience across Maryland, including handling contempt of visitation cases. Call (888) 437-7747 for a consultation by appointment only.
Contempt of Visitation Lawyer Maryland
Contempt of visitation in Maryland occurs when a parent or guardian willfully disobeys a court order regarding parenting time or visitation. Under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 9-101, the court has authority to enforce its orders through contempt proceedings. This statute governs the experienced interests of the child standard and allows the court to impose sanctions, including make-up parenting time, fines, attorney fees, and in severe cases, incarceration. The purpose of contempt proceedings is to compel compliance with the court’s order, not to punish the parent. However, repeated or egregious violations may result in modification of the parenting time schedule or other penalties.
Last verified: May 2026 | Circuit Courts of Maryland (Family Divisions, statewide) | Maryland General Assembly — official site
Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings 120+ years combined legal experience. Advocacy Without Borders — our firm has handled 4,739+ documented firm-wide results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ, with a favorable-outcome rate above 93%.
For the full text of the statute governing contempt of visitation in Maryland, see Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 9-101 (Maryland General Assembly — official site). For information on Maryland family court procedures, visit Maryland Courts — Family Law (mdcourts.gov).
In Maryland Circuit Courts, prosecutors and family court judges routinely expect strict compliance with parenting time orders. We have observed that judges take a dim view of parents who unilaterally deny court-ordered visitation without a valid reason.
In our experience defending contempt of visitation cases across Maryland, the most effective strategy is to document every instance of interference and file promptly. Delays can weaken your position.
Maryland courts often order mediation before a contempt hearing. This can resolve the issue without formal sanctions.
- Document every violation of the parenting time schedule with dates, times, and evidence.
- Contact a contempt of visitation lawyer Maryland to review your case.
- File a Petition for Contempt at the Circuit Court where the custody order was issued.
- Attend the hearing prepared with evidence of willful violation.
- Request make-up parenting time, attorney fees, and other appropriate relief.
- If the violations continue, consider filing for modification of the parenting time schedule.
In Maryland, contempt of visitation carries potential penalties including make-up parenting time, fines, attorney fees, and incarceration for willful violations. The court considers the experienced interests of the child under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 9-101.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First violation (willful denial of visitation) | Civil contempt | Up to 30 days (purgeable by compliance) | Up to $500 | None | Make-up parenting time ordered; attorney fees may be awarded |
| Second violation (pattern of interference) | Civil contempt (may escalate to criminal) | Up to 90 days (purgeable by compliance) | Up to $1,000 | None | Modification of parenting time schedule; mandatory mediation; attorney fees |
| Repeated or egregious violations | Criminal contempt | Up to 180 days | Up to $2,500 | None | Modification of custody; supervised visitation; loss of parenting time; attorney fees; possible incarceration |
Results may vary.
Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings 120+ years combined legal experience, 4,739+ documented firm-wide results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ, and a favorable-outcome rate above 93%. Advocacy Without Borders — our firm is committed to providing experienced representation for contempt of visitation cases in Maryland. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the statute that governs equitable distribution in every Virginia divorce, demonstrating the firm’s deep involvement in family law.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has extensive criminal defense experience in Maryland, including family law matters such as contempt of visitation. Firm-wide across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ, we have 4,739+ documented results with a favorable-outcome rate above 93%. Results may vary.
Our location in Rockville is approximately 20 miles from the Circuit Courts in Montgomery County, with access via I-270 and I-495.
Contempt of visitation lawyer near Maryland — serving clients throughout the state.
Serving the communities of Rockville, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Wheaton, Kensington, Potomac, Olney, Damascus, Clarksburg, Takoma Park, Chevy Chase, and all Maryland counties.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Maryland
199 E. Montgomery Avenue, Suite 100, Room 211
Rockville, MD 20850
(888) 437-7747
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions About Contempt of Visitation in Maryland
What is contempt of visitation in Maryland?
Contempt of visitation occurs when a parent willfully violates a court-ordered parenting time schedule. Under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 9-101, the court can enforce visitation rights through contempt proceedings in the Circuit Court for the county where the order was issued.
Contempt of visitation is a willful violation of a court-ordered parenting time schedule in Maryland.
What are the penalties for contempt of visitation in Maryland?
Penalties for contempt of visitation in Maryland can include fines, make-up parenting time, attorney fees, and in severe cases, incarceration. The court considers the willfulness of the violation and the impact on the child. Cases are heard at the Circuit Court for the county where the order was entered.
Penalties include fines, make-up parenting time, attorney fees, and possible incarceration.
How can I enforce my visitation rights in Maryland?
You can file a contempt of visitation petition at the Circuit Court in the county where the custody order was issued. The court may order make-up parenting time, modify the parenting time schedule, or impose sanctions. A contempt of visitation lawyer Maryland can guide you through this process.
File a contempt petition at the Circuit Court where the custody order was issued.
Can a parenting time schedule be modified in Maryland?
Yes. A parenting time schedule can be modified if there is a material change in circumstances. The court considers the experienced interests of the child under Md. Code, Family Law Art. § 9-101. A parenting time schedule lawyer Maryland can help you file for modification at the Circuit Court.
Yes, a parenting time schedule can be modified upon a material change in circumstances.
What should I do if the other parent denies my visitation rights in Maryland?
Document every instance of denial. Contact a child visitation rights lawyer Maryland immediately. You may file an emergency motion for contempt or a motion to enforce visitation at the Circuit Court. The court can order make-up time and attorney fees.
Document the denial and contact a child visitation rights lawyer Maryland immediately.
Related Practice Areas and Locations
- Divorce Lawyer Salisbury — State hub for family law in Maryland.
- Divorce Lawyer Howard County — Family law services in Howard County, Maryland.
- Divorce Lawyer Calvert County — Family law services in Calvert County, Maryland.
- Divorce Lawyer Montgomery County — Family law services in Montgomery County, Maryland.
- Divorce Lawyer Charles County — Family law services in Charles County, Maryland.
Last verified: May 2026. This page was last updated on 2026-05-01.
Attorney responsible for this advertising: Mr. Sris.
By appointment only.