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Modification and Contempt Questionnaire

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Family Law – Modification & Contempt Questionnaire

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

State your full legal name and any other name by which you have been known:

State your present residence and telephone numbers:

State your place and date of birth:

EDUCATION:

List all business, commercial, and professional licenses that you have obtained since the entry of the Final Judgment sought to be modified:

List all of your education since the entry of the Final Judgment sought to be modified including, but not limited to, vocational or specialized training:

a. Name and address of each educational institution:

b. Dates of attendance:

c. Degrees or certificates obtained or anticipated dates:

b. Name and address of each educational institution:

b. Dates of attendance:

b. Degrees or certificates obtained or anticipated dates:

EMPLOYMENT:

For each place of your employment or self-employment since the entry of the Final Judgment sought to be modified, state the following:

a. First Place of Employment

(1) Name, address, and telephone number of your employer:

(2) Dates of employment:

(3) Job title and brief description of job duties:

(4) Starting and ending salaries:

(5) Name of your direct supervisor:

(6) All benefits received:

b. Second Place of Employment

(1) Name, address, and telephone number of your employer:

(2) Dates of employment:

(3) Job title and brief description of job duties:

(4) Starting and ending salaries:

(5) Name of your direct supervisor:

(6) All benefits received:

If you have been engaged in any other business, commercial, or professional activity since the entry of the Final Judgment sought to be modified:

a. First Business Activity

(1) Name, address, and telephone number:

(2) Dates connected with activity:

(3) Position title and brief description:

(4) Starting and ending compensation:

(5) Name of all persons involved:

(6) All benefits and compensation received:

b. Second Business Activity

(1) Name, address, and telephone number:

(2) Dates connected with activity:

(3) Position title and brief description:

(4) Starting and ending compensation:

(5) Name of all persons involved:

(6) All benefits and compensation received:

If unemployed at any time since the entry of the Final Judgment sought to be modified, state the dates of unemployment:

ASSETS:

Real Estate.

State the street address, if any, and if not, the legal description of all real property that you own or owned during the last 3 years, or since the entry of the Final Judgment sought to be modified, if shorter:

Property address #1:

(1) Names and addresses of any other persons or entities holding any interest and their percentage of interest:

(2) Present fair market value:

Property address #2:

(1) Names and addresses of any other persons or entities holding any interest and their percentage of interest:

(2) Present fair market value:

Tangible Personal Property.

List all items of tangible personal property with fair market value exceeding $100.

Item Percentage And Type Interest You Hold Names And Addresses Of Any Other Persons Or Entities Holding Any Interest Present Fair Market Value

Intangible Personal Property.

List all items of intangible personal property, including closed accounts, within the last 3 years.

Item Percentage And Type Interest You Hold Names And Addresses Of Any Other Persons Or Entities Holding Any Interest And The Names And Addresses Of The Persons And Entities Who Are Indebted To You Present Fair Market Value Or Amounts Owed

Retirement Accounts.

List all information regarding each retirement account/plan.

Name, Account Number, and Location Type Of Account Name And Address Of The Fiduciary Plan Administrator/Service Representative Fair Market Value Of Your Interest Value On Date Of Separation Value On Date Of Filing Petition Vested Amount, If Any Date You Became/Become Eligible To Receive Some Funds

Financial Accounts.

List all financial accounts in which you have had any legal or equitable interest.

Name And Address Of Institution Name In Which The Account Is Or Was Maintained Account Number Names Of Each Person Authorized To Make Withdrawals Highest Balance Within Each Of The Preceding 3 Years Lowest Balance Within Each Of The Preceding 3 Years

Closed Financial Accounts.

List all financial accounts closed within the last 3 years.

Name And Address Of Institution Name In Which The Account Is Or Was Maintained Account Number Name Of Each Person Authorized To Make Withdrawals From The Account Date Account Was Closed

Trust.

For any interest in an estate, trust, insurance policy, or annuity, state the following:

Name of Accountant, Bookkeeper, or Records Keeper.

State the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of your accountant, bookkeeper, and any other persons who possess your financial records.

Name Address Phone Number

LIABILITIES:

Loans, Liabilities, Debts, and Other Obligations.

For all loans, liabilities, debts, and other obligations, indicate for each the following:

Name And Address Of Creditor Name In Which The Obligation Is Or Was Incurred Loan Or Account Number Nature Of The Security, If Any Payment Schedule Present Balance And Current Status Of Your Payments Total Amount Of Arrearage, If Any

Credit Cards and Charge Accounts.

For all credit cards, charge accounts, or other such accounts listed in your financial statement, give the following:

Name And Address Of Creditor Name In Which The Account Is Or Was Maintained Account Number Lowest Balance Within Each Of The Preceding 3 Years Highest Balance Within Each Of The Preceding 3 Years Present Balance And Current Status Of Your Payments Total Amount Of Arrearage, If Any

Closed Credit Cards and Charge Accounts.

List all closed credit card and charge accounts with no remaining balance within the last 3 years.

Name of Creditor Address Account Number Name Of Each Person Authorized To Sign On The Accounts Date The Balance Was Paid Off And Amount

MISCELLANEOUS:

If you are claiming a diminished earning capacity since the entry of the Final Judgment sought to be modified as grounds to modify alimony or deviate from child support, describe in detail:

If you are claiming a change in a mental or physical condition since the entry of the Final Judgment sought to be modified, describe in detail:

If you are requesting a change in shared or sole parental responsibility, primary residency, or the parenting schedule, describe the change in circumstances:

Attach your parenting schedule:

If you do not feel the requested change is in the best interests of the child(ren), describe any facts that justify denying the requested change:

Signature:

Date:

Enter text✕

What the Modification and Contempt Questionnaire Is

The Modification and Contempt Questionnaire is a court-oriented form used primarily in family law and civil contempt proceedings to collect parties' statements, factual updates, and evidence related to requests to modify existing orders or to pursue contempt sanctions. It consolidates case identifiers, current contact information, a summary of changed circumstances, sworn factual assertions, and a request for relief. Courts use the questionnaire to triage filings, assess procedural readiness, and schedule hearings. Completing the form thoroughly reduces delays, supports efficient case management, and provides a clear factual record for judges and opposing parties.

Why a Standardized Questionnaire Helps Your Case

Designed to streamline modification and contempt filings, the questionnaire standardizes factual disclosures, clarifies issues for the court, and reduces repetitive requests for information. Standardized responses improve case tracking, enable quicker judicial review, and help attorneys prepare focused pleadings and evidence for hearings.

Why a Standardized Questionnaire Helps Your Case

Who Typically Completes This Questionnaire

The questionnaire is commonly completed by parties, attorneys, and court clerks to collect consistent information for modification or contempt matters.

  • Self-represented litigants preparing to request a modification or to respond to contempt allegations.
  • Family law attorneys assembling affidavits, exhibits, and updated financial disclosures for hearings.
  • Court staff using standard intake forms to calendar hearings and verify jurisdictional information.

Use the questionnaire to ensure all parties provide comparable information, which simplifies case management and preserves the record.

Representative Users and Roles

Alex Morgan — Litigant

Alex is a self-represented parent filing for child support modification who uses the questionnaire to gather income documents, explain changes in employment, and present a concise chronology of events for the court and opposing counsel.

Jordan Lee — Family Attorney

Jordan is an attorney preparing a modification motion and uses the questionnaire to standardize fact summaries, assemble exhibits, calculate arrears, and communicate deadlines to clients and the opposing party while ensuring compliance with local filing rules.

Core Sections a Professional Questionnaire Should Include

Essential sections in a professional questionnaire help courts and parties quickly assess requests, verify facts, and identify supporting evidence efficiently.

Case Details

Include court name, division, case number, filing party, and respondent. Clear case identifiers prevent misfiling and ensure the questionnaire is associated with the correct judicial docket during clerk review.

Current Orders

Summarize existing orders or judgments at issue, including dates and key terms. This context helps the court determine the scope of the requested modification or the basis for contempt findings.

Financial Data

Provide recent income, expense, asset, and liability details with dates and supporting documents like pay stubs or bank statements to substantiate claims for modification of support or fees.

Children & Custody

If applicable, list children's names, ages, residential schedule, schooling, and childcare arrangements. Include material changes affecting parenting time or the child's well-being.

Contempt Allegations

State specific acts or omissions alleged to violate court orders, relevant dates, and prior attempts to enforce compliance, including served notices or prior contempt filings.

Relief Requested

Describe remedies sought (modification terms, make-up payments, attorney fees, sanctions) and proposed timelines; quantify monetary requests where possible. Attach calculation worksheets or arrears schedules to support figures.

Step-by-Step: Completing and Submitting the Questionnaire

Follow these sequential steps to complete and submit the questionnaire accurately to the court or opposing party.

  • 01
    Step 1: Identify case number and court jurisdiction at the top of the form.
  • 02
    Step 2: Provide current contact, employment, and income information in designated fields.
  • 03
    Step 3: Describe specific changed circumstances and attach supporting documents or exhibits.
  • 04
    Step 4: Sign, date, and include notarization or declaration if required by local rules.

Setting Up an Online Workflow for the Questionnaire

Configure an online workflow to collect, verify, and file questionnaire responses with minimal friction for courts and counsel.

Form Field and Automation Settings Define field type, validation, conditional visibility, and required status.
Signer Authentication and Verification Options Email link, SMS code, KBA, or ID check via RON.
Conditional Fields and Routing Rules Show fields based on answers; route to next signer or court.
Document Storage and Retention Settings Encrypted storage, retention schedule, and access controls per policy.
Automated Notifications and Calendar Integration Email alerts, court calendar entries, and reminders for deadlines.

Typical Electronic Submission Workflow

Typical e-filing and e-submission workflow for completing and transmitting the questionnaire to court or opposing counsel electronically.

  • Prepare Document: Fill fields, attach exhibits, and check for required notarization.
  • Authenticate Signer: Use ID, email verification, SMS code, or notarization.
  • Transmit: File electronically via court portal or send to opposing counsel.
  • Archive: Store signed copy, audit trail, and exhibits securely.

Platform Capabilities to Support Court Filings

Digital signing platforms should support secure authentication, audit trails, and exportable signed PDFs for court submission.

  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX, and printer-ready PDFs
  • Integrations: Court e-filing systems and case management
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, RON, or MFA

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison

Compare common plan features and starting prices across eSignature vendors to evaluate cost and compliance fit.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial Yes, 7-day trial No No Yes, limited Yes, limited
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Security and Compliance Considerations

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 transit, AES-256 at rest
Certifications: SOC 2 Type II; ISO 27001; PCI DSS
Privacy Laws: GDPR compliant; CCPA controls
Healthcare: HIPAA compliant with BAA option
FDA Records: 21 CFR Part 11 support
Audit Trail: Detailed timestamps, IP, user actions

Penalties and Risks of Inaccurate or Late Filings

Late Filing: 1099 penalties $60–$330 per form
Intentional Disregard: $660+ per form, no cap
I-9 Violations: $281–$2,789 per violation
Backup Withholding: 24% withholding rate applies
Contempt Sanctions: Fines or incarceration per court order
Case Delays: Incomplete forms cause hearing continuances

Common Preparation Errors to Avoid

  • Incomplete identification or mismatched names lead to rejected submissions and longer case scheduling timelines, forcing additional filings or amendments.
  • Missing supporting exhibits, unsworn statements, or improperly certified documents result in evidence exclusion and weakened contempt or modification claims.
  • Using incorrect dates or ambiguous financial figures can trigger creditor disputes, imprecise arrears calculations, and temporary relief denials.
  • Filing without required notarization, witness signatures, or court-required declarations often leads to clerical rejection and missed statutory deadlines.

Realistic Use Examples

The following anonymized examples show typical uses of the questionnaire in modification and contempt contexts.

Family Law Modification

A parent seeking a child support modification completed the questionnaire to summarize income changes and attach payroll records.

  • Court scheduled a status hearing within four weeks.
  • The standardized submission reduced follow-up questions, allowed the judge to focus on key financial disputes, and resulted in a clearer order that specified a retroactive payment schedule and updated support obligations.

Contempt Proceeding

An ex-spouse used the questionnaire to catalog alleged willful violations, attaching dated messages and bank transfers as exhibits.

  • Judge requested declaration verification and set a contempt hearing.
  • Because exhibits were cross-referenced and dates clearly identified, the court resolved evidentiary disputes quickly, issuing targeted sanctions and ordering remedial compliance steps, including a payment schedule, monitoring, and continued reporting to the clerk.

Key Timing Considerations

Key timelines for filing and processing the questionnaire help avoid missed hearings or procedural defects.

Pre-filing Review Time:

Allow at least 7 business days for attorney review and exhibit collation.

Notary/RON Scheduling Window:

Schedule notary or RON session 3–5 business days before filing.

Service Deadline:

Follow state rules for serving opposing party before hearing dates.

Clerk Processing Time:

Allow 1–3 business days for clerk review after submission.

Hearing Scheduling Estimate:

Courts typically schedule hearings 2–8 weeks after filing.

Milestones from Submission to Hearing

Milestone timeline from completion to hearing — key stages and approximate time ranges for planning and scheduling.

01

Complete Questionnaire

Finalize answers and attach exhibits; ensure signatures present.

02

File with Court

Submit via e-file portal or clerk's office as required.

03

Serve Opposing Party

Serve per local rules and document the proof of service.

04

Pre-Hearing Conference

Prepare exhibits for exchange and confirm logistics with counsel.

Practical Tips to Improve Accuracy and Speed

Follow these best practices to improve the accuracy and utility of the questionnaire for courts and opposing parties.

Keep statements factual, chronological, and concise
Provide dated, objective descriptions rather than argument or speculation. Chronological entries with exact dates and supporting exhibit references reduce hearing time and improve judicial clarity when evaluating modification or contempt claims.
Always attach verifiable supporting documents
Include originals or certified copies of pay stubs, bank statements, texts, or logs, and label exhibits clearly. Unverified or redacted evidence may be excluded or afford less weight. Add affidavits when necessary to authenticate.
Confirm notarization and witness rules locally
Check county or state requirements for notarization, witness counts, and RON acceptance before scheduling; incorrect authentication leads to rejection or delayed hearings which increases costs and prolongs litigation.
Maintain organized evidentiary index and summaries
Provide an index mapping each exhibit to specific allegation paragraphs and include short evidentiary summaries. Clear organization reduces judge and clerk review time and supports targeted orders. Attach a cover sheet explaining exhibit numbering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to frequent questions about completing, signing, and submitting the Modification and Contempt Questionnaire for courts and counsel.


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