- Using legal discovery methods to gain information about the former spouse’s assets. Before attempting to collect, we’ll need to know what assets he or she has that may be subject to levy or seizure.
- Placing a lien on the delinquent payer’s real estate.
- Placing a lien on the delinquent payer’s personal property.
- Seeking an Earnings Withholding Order to get part of the delinquent payer’s wages directly from his or her employer.
- Seeking to levy the delinquent payer’s bank accounts.
What Are Your Options When A Former Spouse Refuses to Pay?
Sometimes family law judgments are even harder to collect than regular debts because of the unpleasant emotions attached to the judgment in the mind of the payer. The anger and bitterness that develops during divorce or custody proceedings often continues, even after the court battle is over.
If your former spouse or partner was ordered to pay money directly to you, his or her emotions can blur logic and lead to refusal to pay. If this situation is all too familiar to you, and your best efforts to work out payments have failed, then it is time for you to contact an aggressive family law attorney to help you collect.
Clients frequently call on us for help to enforce payment of family law judgments. When we first meet with you, we will gather information about your case and explain your options. Here are a few things we may recommend, depending on your circumstances: