Post-Judgment Enforcement of Family Court Orders
Family court orders related to child support, alimony, and other financial obligations in Florida are legally binding. Despite the court order being in place, there are times when one party fails to comply. When this happens, you need an Orlando court order enforcement attorney to help you exercise your legal rights.
The Resolute Divorce Law team knows adherence to court orders is critical to family well-being. Our Florida family law attorneys approach enforcement cases with sensitivity and diligence, working to craft solutions that foster cooperation and respect while protecting your interests.
Whether you are a parent seeking to enforce child support, a spouse struggling to collect alimony, or an ex-spouse trying to reclaim your share of assets, our Orlando contempt and enforcement lawyers have the experience and passion to help.
Why Choose Our Orlando Court Order Enforcement Attorneys?
Dedicated Family Law Attorneys. We Are Resolute
Our family law attorneys understand multiple aspects of post-judgment enforcement, including contempt proceedings, wage garnishment, bank account levies, and property liens.
We work closely with our clients to develop an effective and efficient course of action tailored to their specific situation.
Every Resolute Divorce Law client receives personalized attention and sophisticated counsel from our seasoned family court trial lawyers. We vigorously advocate for your rights in post-judgment enforcement proceedings, whether through negotiation or litigation.
Serving Orlando residents for decades in their family law matters, our attorneys bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to every case. We are dedicated, compassionate, and strategic in protecting your rights in post-judgment enforcement matters.
Call 1-800-LAW-2342 to enforce your family law court orders today.
What is Post-Judgment Litigation?
After a divorce or legal separation, Florida courts and family law attorneys work to establish court orders for marital assets, immediate assistance, child support, and debts.
Unfortunately, there are times when a former spouse fails to comply with the court's child or financial support obligations. When this happens, post-judgment litigation is necessary to enforce the order and hold the non-compliant party accountable.
The most common situations that lead to post-judgment litigation include:
- Failure to pay child support or alimony
- Failure to comply with visitation orders
- Refusal to transfer marital assets
While the reasons for non-compliance may or may not be legitimate, Florida law demands adherence to court orders or that both parties agree on a modification.
One spouse may not change the terms of a child support order, alimony payment, or other divorce order without seeking permission from the court.
Types of Post-Judgment Motions
What makes hiring a Resolute family law attorney so beneficial is our knowledge and experience in navigating the legal process. We understand what motions to file and when to ensure the best possible outcome for our clients.
Some joint post-judgment motions we can file on your behalf include:
- Motion for Contempt: If one party is not following the judge's order, we can file a motion for contempt charges to hold them accountable.
- Motion to Modify: If circumstances have changed since the original court order was issued, such as a change in income or living situation, we can file a motion to modify the order.
- Motion for Enforcement: This type of motion is used when one party does not follow the court's financial orders, such as underpaying or intermittently making spousal or child support payments.
- Motion for Sanctions: In family law cases where one party has repeatedly violated court orders, we can file a motion for sanctions to deter future non-compliance.
Our Orlando family law attorneys will work closely with you to determine the best strategy for your case, always prioritizing your best interests.
What Happens If You Don't Follow an Orlando Family Court Order?
Legal Consequences
The legal consequences of not paying child support, alimony, or not following visitation orders are severe. If a former spouse is found in contempt, they can face:
- Fines
- Jail time
- Driver's license suspension
- Seizure of assets
- Forced modification of parenting plan, visitation schedule, alimony order
Depending on the type of family court order violated, these criminal and civil contempt consequences can start when the amount due exceeds $600 or more than four months have passed since non-compliance with the final judgment began.
Financial Consequences
Fines and penalties are Florida's way of deterring non-compliance with family court orders. The judge can impose fines and penalties, such as repayment of legal fees, court fees, interest, late payments, etc.
Considering court fees, attorney fees, filing fees, and other expenses associated with post-judgment enforcement, the final cost could add $5,000 or more to the amount owed.
Furthermore, the non-compliant party may also see their credit score suffer, affecting their ability to secure loans or credit in the future. With liens potentially placed on their property as well, the non-compliant party may face difficulty selling or refinancing assets.
However, it isn't just the non-compliant party who faces serious consequences. The compliant party may also suffer financially, as they are not receiving the court-ordered support or assets they are entitled to.
Emotional Consequences
Beyond the legal and financial consequences, not following family court orders can also have emotional consequences. One spouse in contempt may face feelings of guilt, shame, and stress as they navigate the legal process and potential outcomes.
For the other spouse, not receiving support or assets can cause financial strain and emotional distress. Children may also suffer emotionally if visitation orders are not being followed.
Ultimately, the best way to avoid these consequences is to choose Orlando court order enforcement lawyers from Resolute Divorce Law Firm to handle your case.
Consequences for Minor Children
It is easy to forget how divorce cases, contempt motions, and enforcement proceedings affect children. Multiple studies highlight the effect of ongoing conflict between parents on children. From reduced self-esteem to poor performance in school, children can suffer emotionally and psychologically from non-compliance with court orders.
This is why it is crucial to have an Orlando contempt and enforcement lawyer working to resolve your post-judgment matters as efficiently and effectively as possible. We understand the impact of non-compliance on minor children and will fight for their best interests in court.
How Can an Orlando Family Law Court Order Enforcement Lawyer Help Me?
Family law matters are complex, and emotions can run high, especially when one party is not following court orders. Having a Resolute Divorce Law Firm attorneys can help ease that stress by:
- Providing legal advice and guidance throughout the enforcement process
- Filing necessary motions and documents on your behalf
- Representing you in court hearings and negotiations
- Protecting your rights and helping you understand your options
- Mediating with the non-compliant party without going to court
At Resolute Divorce Law, our Orlando family law attorneys have the knowledge and experience in post-judgment enforcement matters to protect your rights. Don't hesitate to seek legal help and enforce your family law court orders today. Our legal team is just a click or phone call away.
How Much Does an Orlando Family Law Court Order Enforcement Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring court order enforcement lawyers varies depending on the complexity of your case and the legal services required. However, not seeking legal help from an Orlando contempt and enforcement attorney may cost you more in fines, penalties, and lost support or assets.
For example, a child support payment for two children families equals $1,174 in Florida. If the paying parent fails to abide by the court order, custodial parents could see over $6,000 in losses after six months of non-payment, making it difficult to meet expenses and support their family.
Furthermore, the average spousal support payment in Orlando, FL, is $724 monthly. Not receiving this financial support could mean losing over $4,300 in six months. For ex-spouses on rehabilitative alimony, this could significantly impact their ability to secure employment and become self-sufficient.
In both cases, payers risk spending tens of thousands of dollars in fines and late fees for not complying with the court's ruling. They also risk facing criminal consequences and hurting their credit score.
No cost is too great when fighting contempt actions and enforcement. With losses significantly exceeding the disputed amount, trust experienced Orlando family law attorneys to help protect your financial future.
Obtain What is Rightfully Yours with Post-Judgment Court Order Enforcement Lawyers
Enforcing a family court order is crucial to achieving fairness and closure in legal disputes, whether they involve child support, spousal support, child custody, parenting time, or property division.
Our experienced attorneys offer invaluable guidance through the intricacies of post-judgment litigation. With their dedicated advocacy, you can secure the rightful assets, visitation, or payment you deserve.
Dial 1-800-LAW-2342 to speak with a Resolute Divorce Law post-judgment enforcement lawyer today.