Crowder v. Crowder

Ingram, Justice.

The essence of civil contempt involved in a proceeding to enforce payment of an alimony or child support award is wilful disobedience of the court’s order. Georgia Divorce, Alimony, etc., § 14-1. See also Mason v. Mason, 232 Ga. 336 (206 SE2d 479) (1974).

The trial court in this case determined that the father had not wilfully disobeyed its 'earlier order which awarded child support in the amount of $40 per week. There is some evidence that some arrearage may be owed by the father, but we cannot hold the trial court abused its broad discretion in reaching the conclusion that…