Contempt of Court in a Divorce with Georgina Melbye | Episode 48

Contempt in Colorado Divorce and Family Law Cases

In this episode of Divorce at Altitude, Ryan Kalamaya and Amy Goscha are joined by law partner Georgina Melbye for a clear, practical breakdown of contempt in Colorado family law cases. Georgina—widely regarded in the firm as the “contempt guru”—explains what contempt really is, how it’s used to enforce court orders, and why it’s one of the most powerful (and most misunderstood) tools in post-decree divorce disputes.

The conversation walks through the two main types of contempt—remedial and punitive—and why most family law cases deal with indirect contempt for violations that occur outside the courtroom. Amy and Georgina discuss when contempt is effective (especially for enforcing financial obligations in separation agreements), when it’s less helpful (like parenting plan violations that already occurred), and what judges actually want to see before imposing sanctions. They also cover procedural realities—contempt advisements, service requirements, bifurcated hearings, attorney’s fees, and why contempt should usually be a strategic last resort, not a first reaction.

Guest Information

Georgina Melbye is a Colorado attorney focusing on family law and criminal defense. She regularly handles complex enforcement and contempt issues in divorce and post-decree cases and advises clients on strategic compliance, enforcement options, and high-risk litigation scenarios.

Episode Outline

What Contempt Really Means
A violation of a court order—and why most family law cases involve indirect contempt.

Remedial vs. Punitive Contempt
The key differences between enforcing compliance and punishing misconduct.

When Contempt Works Best
Why separation agreement obligations are often better suited for contempt than parenting disputes.

Parenting Plan Violations
Why courts can’t “undo” missed parenting time and what alternatives may be more effective.

The Contempt Process
Filing ex parte, advisement hearings, service rules, and what happens next.

Bifurcated Hearings Explained
Why punitive and remedial contempt may be split—and how strategy matters.

Attorney’s Fees and Judicial Discretion
When fees may be awarded, and why outcomes are never guaranteed.

Strategic Warnings for Clients
Why contempt is serious, when warrants can issue, and why ignoring it is a major mistake.

What is Divorce at Altitude?

Ryan Kalamaya and Amy Goscha provide tips and recommendations on issues related to divorce, separation, and co-parenting in Colorado. Ryan and Amy are the founding partners of an innovative and ambitious law firm, Kalamaya | Goscha, that pushes the boundaries to discover new frontiers in family law, personal injuries, and criminal defense in Colorado.

To subscribe to Divorce at Altitude, click here and select your favorite podcast player. To subscribe to Kalamaya | Goscha's YouTube channel where many of the episodes will be posted as videos, click here. If you have additional questions or would like to speak to one of our attorneys, give us a call at 970-429-5784 or email us at info@kalamaya.law.

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DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS ON THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE. CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE OR AREA TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE ON ANY OF THESE ISSUES.