An Alimony Contempt Lawyer Chesterfield County handles violations of spousal support orders under Va. Code § 20-107.1. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 15 documented case results in Chesterfield County. You can enforce or defend against contempt for unpaid alimony in Chesterfield County Circuit Court.
Last verified: April 2026 | Chesterfield County General District Court | Va. Code § 20-107.1 (official Virginia General Assembly)
Spousal support, commonly called alimony, is governed by Va. Code § 20-107.1. This statute provides 13 factors the court considers when awarding support. When one party fails to pay court-ordered spousal support, the other party may file a motion for contempt. A contempt finding can result in wage garnishment, property liens, or jail time. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3 (equitable distribution), demonstrating deep familiarity with Virginia family law statutes.
For the official statute on spousal support, see Va. Code § 20-107.1 (official Virginia General Assembly). For court procedures, visit the Chesterfield County General District Court website.
Chesterfield County Circuit Court handles all contempt motions for unpaid alimony. The court requires clear and convincing evidence that the payor had the ability to pay but willfully refused. A spousal support violation lawyer Chesterfield County must prove each element.
- File a motion for contempt at Chesterfield County Circuit Court, 9500 Courthouse Road.
- Serve the motion on the opposing party through sheriff or private process server.
- Attend the show cause hearing where the court determines willfulness.
- Present evidence of missed payments and the payor’s ability to pay.
- Request remedies: wage garnishment, lump sum payment, or incarceration.
In Chesterfield County, contempt for unpaid alimony carries potential jail time, fines, and mandatory payment of arrears.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Contempt (failure to pay support) | Civil | Up to 12 months (conditional) | None (purgeable by payment) | Driver’s license suspension possible | Wage garnishment, property liens, credit damage |
| Criminal Contempt (willful refusal) | Criminal | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | Driver’s license suspension possible | Permanent criminal record, passport denial |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. The firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience and 4,739+ documented case results firm-wide. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute, demonstrating deep knowledge of Virginia family law. The firm handles contempt for unpaid alimony cases in Chesterfield County with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate firm-wide.
Mr. Sris, firm founder and former prosecutor, provides secondary oversight on complex alimony contempt cases. He personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3 and has 28+ years of legal experience across VA, MD, DC, NJ, and NY.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 15 total documented case results in Chesterfield County across all practice areas, with a 100% favorable outcome rate. Firm-wide, the firm has 4,739+ case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Richmond location serves clients at Chesterfield County courts (9500 Courthouse Road), accessible via I-95, I-295, Route 1, Route 10, and Route 360 (Hull Street).
Looking for a contempt for unpaid alimony lawyer Chesterfield County? We serve Midlothian, Chester, Colonial Heights area, Bon Air, Brandermill, and Moseley.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Richmond
7400 Beaufont Springs Dr, Suite 300, Rm 395, Richmond, VA 23225
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (804)201-9009
By appointment only.
Q: Can I go to jail for not paying alimony in Chesterfield County?
Yes. Willful failure to pay court-ordered spousal support can result in civil contempt with up to 12 months incarceration. The court must find you had the ability to pay but refused. An Alimony Contempt Lawyer Chesterfield County can help you present evidence of inability to pay.
Q: How long does an alimony contempt case take in Chesterfield County?
It depends. A show cause hearing is typically set within 21-60 days of filing the motion. If the case is complex with financial discovery, it may take 3-6 months. A spousal support violation lawyer Chesterfield County can provide a timeline estimate based on your specific situation.
Q: What evidence do I need for an alimony contempt case?
You need bank statements, pay stubs, tax returns, and the court order showing missed payments. The court requires clear and convincing evidence of willful nonpayment. A contempt for unpaid alimony lawyer Chesterfield County can help you gather and present this evidence effectively.
Q: Can alimony be modified if I lose my job?
Yes. You can file a motion to modify spousal support under Va. Code § 20-107.1 based on a material change in circumstances. Job loss qualifies. An Alimony Contempt Lawyer Chesterfield County can help you file for modification before the arrears accumulate.
Q: Is Virginia a community property state for alimony purposes?
No. Virginia is an equitable distribution state. Spousal support is determined by 13 factors under Va. Code § 20-107.1, not a 50/50 split. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute, demonstrating deep familiarity with Virginia family law.
Virginia Family Law Lawyer — Henrico County Family Law Lawyer — Colonial Heights Family Law Lawyer — Chesterfield County Criminal Defense Lawyer — Chesterfield County DUI Lawyer
Last verified: April 2026. Information updated as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.