(801) 254-9450 Receiving a court order for spousal support is only the first step in the process. You still have to ensure your former spouse complies with the ruling. This can be challenging without an alimony attorney’s guidance. Our dedicated lawyers at Carr | Woodall could help you navigate Midway spousal support enforcement issues and answer any questions you have about the legal process.
A Midway attorney could help you enforce alimony payments through various methods. However, it is often in your best interest to reach an amicable solution that saves you the time and expense of litigation. To accomplish this, your lawyer may negotiate with your former spouse or their legal counsel to gain compliance with the court order.
A failure to pay spousal support can result from an honest mistake or a tight financial situation. It is worth exploring direct communication before involving the courts to secure unpaid alimony. When this is not an option, you may need to take a more active approach.
If you cannot resolve matters amicably, your Midway attorney has several maintenance enforcement tools at their disposal. A lawyer from our team could use any of the following tools to help retrieve the payments you are owed.
In addition to garnishing wages, the court could also agree to place a claim against your former spouse’s property. A lien on real estate would make it impossible for them to sell it without first paying you what they owe you.
Contempt hearings are the ultimate tool in cases where a former spouse refuses to pay court-ordered alimony. If the judge finds a person is in contempt, they could fine them, alter the terms of the court order, or even sentence them to jail.
In Midway, you can modify court-ordered spousal maintenance payments when there has been a substantial and material change in circumstances since the original decision. Common grounds include:
The change must be permanent or long-term to justify an amendment. Either party can petition the court to review and revise the support arrangement, but you must provide clear evidence that the current order is no longer fair or appropriate.
State courts will examine the financial circumstances of both you and your ex-spouse and determine if alimony payments still meet the original purpose. If the court finds a valid basis for modification, it may increase, decrease, or terminate the support obligation. It is important to act quickly, as alterations are typically not retroactive beyond the petition’s filing date.
You should not have to fight to get the court-ordered support you deserve, but there are situations when it may be necessary. If you have unpaid alimony, our team at Carr | Woodall could help. Schedule a consultation today to discuss Midway spousal support enforcement and your legal options.