Intonti v. Intonti

Albert Intonti (father) filed a complaint for civil contempt against Mary Intonti (mother), claiming that she failed to comply with the parties' separation agreement, which was incorporated in a divorce judgment. A judge of the Probate and Family Court found the mother not in contempt and awarded her attorney's fees in the amount of $500. The father appeals.

"[A] civil contempt finding [must] be supported by clear and convincing evidence of disobedience of a clear and unequivocal command." Birchall, petitioner, 454 Mass. 837, 853 (2009). "Where the order is ambiguous or the disobedience is…