MARTIN v. ELDEMIRE MARTIN (2020)

The Former Husband appeals the circuit court's writ of bodily attachment and order finding him in contempt for failure to pay lump-sum alimony. We agree with the circuit court's conclusion that the Former Husband had notice of the hearing. But because the Former Husband did not attend the hearing, the circuit court had to satisfy the requirements of Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.615(c)(2)(B). The rule states that if the contemnor fails to appear for the contempt hearing, then the court shall

set a reasonable purge amount based on the individual circumstances of the parties. The court may issue a writ of bodily attachment and direct that, upon execution of the writ of bodily attachment, the alleged contemnor be brought before the court within 48 hours for a hearing on whether the alleged contemnor has the present ability to pay support and, if so, whether the failure to pay such support is willful.

Id. The circuit court set a purge amount of $621,075.00 but did not consider whether this amount was “a reasonable purge amount based on the individual circumstances of the parties.” See id.; see also Lowe v. Lowe, 948 So. 2d 836, 838 (Fla. 4th DCA 2007) (holding the purge amount was reasonable based on the parties’ individual circumstances). As a result, we reverse the court's writ of bodily attachment and remand for further proceedings.

Reversed and remanded.

Kuntz, J.

Gross and May, JJ., concur.