If you had been married for a considerable period, you were probably used to a certain way of life. Divorce should not pull that rug from under your feet arbitrarily, so your ex-spouse is supposed to pay spousal support (alimony). Whether short or long in nature, that support is meant to help you preserve your way of life and move on from your marriage.
Should your ex stop making alimony payments, you may not know what to do next. Here’s what you need to know:
Court-issued spousal support orders are enforceable
Once the court has formally entered an order that requires someone to pay spousal support, that’s a legally enforceable order. If your spouse can’t pay, they need to approach the court for a modification.
If they can pay and just won’t, you may seek legal redress. Usually, it is up to the judge to determine the sanctions or remedies for the situation. Sanctions may include being held in contempt of court, wage garnishment, the withholding of tax returns and even the seizure and sale of their assets. In some cases, the court may also order a party who is refusing to pay court-ordered support into custody through a contempt of court proceeding.
Protect your interests post-divorce
Alimony and other financial aspects of a divorce are among the most hotly contested issues couples may face. Therefore, it is necessary to protect your interests by taking the proper steps if your partner is not holding up their obligations. If you can’t handle the situation on your own, it’s wise to seek legal assistance.
