Enforcement of Judgment
Contact Our St. Louis Family Law Attorneys Today
If your former spouse or the other parent of your child is not complying with a court-ordered judgment, you can take legal action to enforce that judgment. Court orders are not optional, and there are several legal ways to pursue enforcement of a judgment. Whether you are working to secure court-ordered alimony payments from an ex-spouse or the other parent of your child is refusing to pay child support, our firm can help. At STL Law Group, our St. Louis family law attorneys have extensive experience handling contempt of court proceedings. We can guide you through the process and serve as your advocate from start to finish.
Contact us online or by phone at (314) 888-5944 to request a free and confidential phone consultation today.
Understanding the Contempt of Court Process
When the court makes a ruling on alimony, child support, visitation, or related matters, the parties involved are required to follow this judgment. However, this does not always occur. In fact, failure to pay child support is one of the leading causes for contempt of court proceedings. When someone ignores a court order, it can cause undue financial and emotional hardship for the other people involved, including the child and/or the ex-spouse.
If the opposing party is not complying with a court order, you can initiate the contempt process to enforce the judgment. To do this, you must file a Motion for Contempt. You may also need to file a Show Cause Order, which instructs the opposing party to appear at a hearing where he or she can show why he/she is not complying with the judgment.
The court may find the opposing party in contempt of the order if:
- The court finds that the opposing party was aware of the order
- The opposing party is capable of complying with the order
- The opposing party is not complying with the order
If found in contempt, the opposing party can be subject to penalties, including wage garnishment, liens, fines, and even jail time.
Contact Our Office for a Free Phone Consultation
Whether you are a single mother who counts on child support payments to properly care for your child, a father who is being denied visitation by the mother of your child, or an individual who relies on alimony payments from an ex-spouse, our team is prepared to fight for your rights. We have assisted numerous clients with enforcement of judgments in St. Louis and throughout St. Louis County. Our family law attorneys offer compassionate, personalized legal counsel and aggressive representation throughout the process.
Most of all, our team is always available when you need us most. We proudly offer flexible office hours to meet your needs, and our exceptionally dedicated attorneys are here to answer your questions and address any concerns you may have.
Reach out to us today to find out how we can help you. We can be reached online or by phone at (314) 888-5944.