Family Court Order Enforcement Attorney — Enforcing Divorce Decrees, Support and Custody Orders

A court order is only as good as its enforcement. If your ex is ignoring the divorce decree, skipping support or denying parenting time, a family court order enforcement attorney helps you make the order stick.

Many people assume they must simply accept non-compliance. That is not true. Family courts have strong tools to enforce their orders. These include contempt, wage withholding, liens and make-up parenting time.

This guide explains how enforcement works for support, custody and property orders. Furthermore, it shows how to prepare an enforcement motion that gets results.

Enforcing child support

Unpaid child support is the most common enforcement problem. Fortunately, the tools are powerful. Courts and state child support agencies can order wage withholding, intercept tax refunds and suspend driver's or professional licenses.

Additionally, unpaid support usually becomes a judgment that accrues interest in many states. It generally cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. Consequently, persistent non-payment carries serious consequences.

Contempt of court

You can also ask the court to hold the non-paying parent in contempt. The court may order payment plans, fines or, in serious cases, jail. However, a parent who genuinely cannot pay may defend on that basis. Therefore, evidence of the other parent's ability to pay is important.

Enforcing custody and parenting time

When a parent withholds the child or skips exchanges, act promptly. First, document each violation with dates and messages. Next, try a calm written request to comply. Then, if violations continue, file an enforcement motion.

Courts can order make-up parenting time, require supervised exchanges or impose fines. In serious or repeated cases, the court may modify custody. A visitation dispute consultation helps you choose the right remedy.

Do not self-help

Never withhold support because the other parent denies visits, or deny visits because support is unpaid. Courts treat these as separate obligations. Consequently, self-help can put you in contempt too.

Enforcing property division

Property orders can also be ignored. An ex may refuse to sign over a car title, refinance a mortgage or transfer retirement funds. Courts can enforce these terms directly.

For example, a judge can order a clerk or commissioner to sign documents on the non-compliant party's behalf. Similarly, courts can enter money judgments for unpaid equalization payments. If retirement division was never completed, a QDRO may still be prepared after the divorce.

Finding assets to collect

Collecting a judgment sometimes means finding assets. An asset search locates property, businesses and other records. As a result, you know where enforcement can reach.

Preparing an enforcement motion

An enforcement or contempt motion must show three things. First, a clear court order existed. Second, the other party knew about it. Third, they failed to comply.

Attach the order, proof of non-compliance and a sworn statement. Payment histories, messages and logs are strong evidence. Our motion preparation service drafts enforcement and contempt motions at a fixed price. Additionally, a supporting affidavit sets out the facts under oath.

If the order itself is unclear, you may need clarification or modification instead. Read our guides to custody modification and support modification.

Our Family Court Enforcement services in the USA

Every service below has a fixed price, is prepared by a qualified attorney and is delivered online — wherever you are in the USA. Additionally, you can upload evidence, message your attorney and track progress from your secure client dashboard.

Family Court Enforcement services near you — every state we cover

Because everything is handled online, it makes no difference where you live. Nevertheless, the law does change from state to state, so every document is prepared for your local rules. Here are some of the places our clients come from most often.

Family Court Enforcement help in California

We prepare family court enforcement documents for California law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Los Angeles (near the Stanley Mosk Courthouse downtown), San Diego (near the Hall of Justice on West Broadway), San Francisco (near the Civic Center courthouse on McAllister Street). For example, see Motion / Response Preparation (Self-Represented) in Los Angeles, Motion / Response Preparation (Self-Represented) in San Diego, Motion / Response Preparation (Self-Represented) in San Francisco. Similarly, see Visitation dispute consultation in California.

Family Court Enforcement help in Texas

We prepare family court enforcement documents for Texas law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Houston (near the Harris County Civil Courthouse), Dallas (near the George L. Allen Sr. Courts Building), San Antonio (near the Bexar County Courthouse), Austin (near the Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility). For example, see Motion / Response Preparation (Self-Represented) in Houston, Motion / Response Preparation (Self-Represented) in Dallas, Motion / Response Preparation (Self-Represented) in San Antonio, Motion / Response Preparation (Self-Represented) in Austin. Similarly, see Visitation dispute consultation in Texas.

Family Court Enforcement help in Florida

We prepare family court enforcement documents for Florida law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Miami (near the Miami-Dade County Courthouse on West Flagler Street), Orlando (near the Orange County Courthouse), Tampa (near the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse). For example, see Motion / Response Preparation (Self-Represented) in Miami, Motion / Response Preparation (Self-Represented) in Orlando, Motion / Response Preparation (Self-Represented) in Tampa. Similarly, see Visitation dispute consultation in Florida.

Family Court Enforcement help in New York

We prepare family court enforcement documents for New York law and local court practice. Clients come to us from New York City (near the New York County Courthouse at 60 Centre Street and the immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza), Brooklyn (near the Kings County Supreme Court on Adams Street). For example, see Motion / Response Preparation (Self-Represented) in New York City, Motion / Response Preparation (Self-Represented) in Brooklyn. Similarly, see Visitation dispute consultation in New York.

Family Court Enforcement help in Illinois

We prepare family court enforcement documents for Illinois law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Chicago (near the Richard J. Daley Center). For example, see Motion / Response Preparation (Self-Represented) in Chicago. Similarly, see Visitation dispute consultation in Illinois.

Family Court Enforcement help in Georgia

We prepare family court enforcement documents for Georgia law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Atlanta (near the Fulton County Courthouse). For example, see Motion / Response Preparation (Self-Represented) in Atlanta. Similarly, see Visitation dispute consultation in Georgia.

Family Court Enforcement help in Arizona

We prepare family court enforcement documents for Arizona law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Phoenix (near the Maricopa County Superior Court). For example, see Motion / Response Preparation (Self-Represented) in Phoenix. Similarly, see Visitation dispute consultation in Arizona.

Family Court Enforcement help in Pennsylvania

We prepare family court enforcement documents for Pennsylvania law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Philadelphia (near City Hall, home of the Court of Common Pleas). For example, see Motion / Response Preparation (Self-Represented) in Philadelphia. Similarly, see Visitation dispute consultation in Pennsylvania.

Family Court Enforcement help in Washington

We prepare family court enforcement documents for Washington law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Seattle (near the King County Courthouse). For example, see Motion / Response Preparation (Self-Represented) in Seattle. Similarly, see Visitation dispute consultation in Washington.

Family Court Enforcement help in Colorado

We prepare family court enforcement documents for Colorado law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Denver (near the Denver City and County Building). For example, see Motion / Response Preparation (Self-Represented) in Denver. Similarly, see Visitation dispute consultation in Colorado.

Family Court Enforcement help in Massachusetts

We prepare family court enforcement documents for Massachusetts law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Boston (near the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse). For example, see Motion / Response Preparation (Self-Represented) in Boston. Similarly, see Visitation dispute consultation in Massachusetts.

Family Court Enforcement help in Nevada

We prepare family court enforcement documents for Nevada law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Las Vegas (near the Regional Justice Center). For example, see Motion / Response Preparation (Self-Represented) in Las Vegas. Similarly, see Visitation dispute consultation in Nevada.

Family Court Enforcement help in New Jersey

We prepare family court enforcement documents for New Jersey law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Newark (near the Essex County Hall of Records). For example, see Motion / Response Preparation (Self-Represented) in Newark. Similarly, see Visitation dispute consultation in New Jersey.

Family Court Enforcement help in North Carolina

We prepare family court enforcement documents for North Carolina law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Charlotte (near the Mecklenburg County Courthouse). For example, see Motion / Response Preparation (Self-Represented) in Charlotte. Similarly, see Visitation dispute consultation in North Carolina.

We also help clients in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. See every location we cover.

Motion / Response Preparation (Self-Represented) in every state

Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming

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This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Every case is different — speak to a qualified attorney before you act.