There are few divorce-related matters more often contested than those involving alimony, also known as spousal support. Many financially dependent spouses require alimony payments after a divorce to help them maintain the standard of living established over the course of their marriage. These payments are essential for lots of people, however, not uncommonly, the financially independent spouse will take issue with the alimony agreement and refuse to make payments he or she believes his or her ex isn’t entitled to receive. That said, violating an alimony agreement is against the law, and if you believe your spouse is violating your alimony agreement, you should continue reading and speak with our experienced Los Angeles divorce attorneys to learn more about alimony enforcement in California and how we can help you receive the payments you need.
How does alimony enforcement work in California?
When a spouse refuses to make the alimony payments that the other spouse is entitled to, the first thing the spouse who receives alimony should do is try to speak with their ex to get to the bottom of the issue. If you can work something out with your ex, such as a repayment plan, you may not have to turn it into a legal issue. However, if your former spouse outright refuses to pay alimony and is in violation of your alimony agreement, you should speak with an experienced California divorce attorney as soon as you can.
We can notify the courts of this occurring, which will begin the alimony enforcement process. In many cases, courts will order a wage garnishment, which means that a portion of your ex’s wages will go directly toward making the alimony payments of which you are owed. That said, courts in California can take various additional actions to ensure you receive the payments you need, including levying your ex’s ban account, intercepting your ex’s tax refunds, or even holding your former spouse in contempt of court, which means he or she will face criminal payments for failure to follow your alimony agreement. If you have any further questions or you need a competent legal team on your side to help you receive alimony payments, you should speak with us today. We are here to help you through each step of the legal process.
Contact our experienced Los Angeles firm
Divorce and family law issues are notoriously complicated and personal, which is why you must hire an attorney with years of experience, as well as the compassion and skill needed to handle these sensitive matters. For the qualified, dedicated legal representation you and your family deserve and need, contact Zitser Family Law Group, APC today.
