If your spouse is falling behind on spousal support payments, there are
some legal options at your disposal, which can help enforce the order
and ensure you receive these payments on time. However, before you run
off to court, find out why your former spouse stopped making payments.
The court can temporarily reduce or suspend the spousal support order
if your ex is currently experiencing some financial hardship, preventing
him or her from making these payments on time. If your ex-spouse is simply
refusing to pay, enforcing the court order will be a little more challenging.
Forcing Your Ex-Spouse to Pay Spousal Support
If your former spouse stopped obeying the spousal support order, you will
need to go back to family court. In most cases, the judge will charge
your ex with contempt, which means he or she will have a contempt of court
case with another judge for disobeying the orders of the first judge.
The next judge your former spouse faces might order him or her to pay
the sum you are owed, in addition to the costs associated with the contempt
of course case. If your ex-spouse continues to disobey the order, he or
she can potentially owe greater fines or risk incarceration.
A few other options you might want to consider include filing a lawsuit
in small claims court, mediation, or wage garnishment. Some support orders
allow a former spouse to have funds withheld from the paying spouse’s
income. Even if your order did not include this, you can request the court
to include it later if a judge holds your ex-spouse in contempt. You might
also be able to file a lawsuit in a higher court if the amount your former
spouse owes is rather substantial. Consult with your family law attorney
to find out which method is most appropriate for you and your circumstances.
If the spousal support order continues to be ignored, other penalties can
be enforced. For example, your ex’s driver’s license can be
suspended if he or she does not obey the order. Your spouse’s property
can even be seized and sold, so you can receive the spousal support payments
you are owed.
Schedule a Consultation with an Experienced Spousal Support Attorney Today!
If your former spouse stopped making
alimony payments, contact the experienced family law team at the Law Office of
Kathryn Marteeny for the experienced and knowledgeable legal assistance
you need to enforce your spousal support order. Our team has more than
three decades of combined legal experience and a history of proven success,
so you can rest assured your case will be in good hands with us.
Contact the Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny today at (713) 936-2300 to schedule
an initial case review with a trusted member of our legal team to explore
your legal options. We can help you tackle any family law issue head-on.