Failure to comply with a court order can subject you to contempt of court. If you are found to be in willful contempt of court you could go to jail. If you fail to pay your property settlement payment, child support, or alimony you could be held in contempt of court upon your spouse making proper request from the court. If you fail to allow your spouse to have the visitation outlined in your divorce decree you could be held in contempt of court. If you are held to be in contempt, not only is there a good possibility that you will go to jail, but there is also a good possibility that you will be forced to pay for your spouse's attorney's fees. The best way to avoid being held in contempt is to follow whatever order is presently governing your life to the letter. Being divorced, especially if you have children, will impose legal obligations upon you that a person who is not in your position will not have. For example, there is no legal obligation for a parent to pay for their child's college education. However, if a provision to pay for college is in your divorce order and you fail to comply, you can actually be placed in jail.