Moskowitz v. Moskowitz

We reverse to the extent that we find the order of the trial court defective-to wit: adjudicating the former wife to be in civil contempt. See Knowles v. Knowles, 522 So.2d 477 (Fla. 5th DCA); rev. denied, 531 So.2d 1354 (Fla.1988). The order contains an alternative finding that the wife either has the ability to comply with a prior order, or that she divested herself of the ability to comply in order to avoid compliance or to frustrate the court’s purpose. In Knowles, the court held that an alternative finding of willful divestiture of ability to pay may be appropriate in a criminal contempt…