Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis section requires a motion for contempt to quote the order it is based on, state the specific acts said to violate it and any arrears claimed, state the relief sought, and identify in its caption whether it is pendente lite or postjudgment.
(a)Each motion for contempt must state (1) the date and specific language of the order of the judicial authority on which the motion is based; (2) the specific acts alleged to constitute the contempt of that order, including the amount of any arrears claimed due as of the date of the motion or a date specifically identified in the motion; (3) the movant’s claims for relief for the contempt.
(b)Each motion for contempt must state clearly in the caption of the motion whether it is a pendente lite or a postjudgment motion, and the subject matter and the type of order alleged to have been violated.
End
Amendment History
(P.B. 1998.) (Amended June 28, 1999, to take effect Jan. 1, 2000.)
Plain-English Summary
A contempt motion asks the court to punish disobedience of its own order, so this section makes the motion say exactly what was disobeyed. It must state the date and the specific language of the order it is based on; the specific acts alleged to constitute the contempt, including the amount of any arrears claimed due as of the date of the motion or another date the motion identifies; and the movant’s claims for relief.
Quoting the order’s language is the requirement that does the work. A person cannot defend against a charge of disobeying an order without knowing which words of it are said to have been broken.
The caption must state clearly whether the motion is pendente lite or postjudgment, and also the subject matter and the type of order alleged to have been violated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must a motion for contempt say in Connecticut?
The date and specific language of the order it is based on, the specific acts alleged to constitute the contempt including any arrears claimed, and the movant’s claims for relief.
What must the caption of a contempt motion state?
Whether the motion is pendente lite or postjudgment, and the subject matter and type of order alleged to have been violated.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 25-27). Prescribed by the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 51-14). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as:motion for contempt Connecticut family courtPractice Book section 25-27contempt for unpaid alimony CTarrears contempt motion Connecticut