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Family

Can a parent be found in contempt for interfering with the other parent's phone calls during parenting time?

TSL Written by the Treadstone Law team· Updated August 2026

It's possible, but it depends heavily on what the order actually says. Contempt requires a clear, specific term that was deliberately breached, so if the order or agreement explicitly addresses phone or video contact during the other parent's parenting time, a parent who intentionally blocks or interferes with those calls could face a contempt motion on the same basis as interference with in-person parenting time. Where the order is silent or vague about communication during parenting time, bringing a successful contempt motion becomes much harder, because there's no clear term to point to as having been breached.

This is a good example of why the specific wording of a parenting order matters well beyond the visitation schedule itself; provisions about phone or video contact, if the parents want them enforceable, need to be spelled out clearly rather than left as an unwritten expectation. A parent experiencing repeated interference with calls should document each instance, including dates and any response from the other parent, and get legal advice on whether the existing order supports a contempt motion or whether it needs to be clarified first through a different process.

Key takeaways

  • Contempt for interfering with calls generally requires the order to clearly address that kind of contact.
  • Vague or silent orders on communication make a contempt motion much harder to bring.
  • Clear, specific wording about phone or video contact is important if enforceability matters to the parents.
  • Document each instance of interference and get advice on whether the existing order actually supports contempt.
This is general information, not legal advice. It doesn’t create a lawyer–client relationship, and the rules can change. For advice on your situation, a Treadstone family lawyer can help.
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