What is required to bring a motion for contempt against a parent who consistently returns a child late?

Consistently returning a child late can support a contempt motion, but the same core requirements apply as with any other alleged breach of a parenting order: the order has to clearly specify the return time or arrangement, the other parent has to know what's required, and the pattern has to show a deliberate disregard for that requirement rather than occasional, explainable delay. A single late return due to traffic or an emergency is very different, in the court's eyes, from a consistent pattern of lateness that seems to reflect indifference to the order's terms.

Because "consistent lateness" is inherently about a pattern over time, documentation matters even more here than in a single-incident dispute. Keeping a dated log of each late return, how late it was, and any explanation given (or not given) helps establish that the lateness is a genuine pattern rather than a handful of isolated incidents. Courts will also look at whether the lateness has caused real disruption, for example to the child's schedule or the other parent's ability to plan. Before filing, getting legal advice on whether the documented pattern is likely to meet the standard for contempt is a worthwhile step.