Prince George County Alimony Enforcement Lawyer — How to Collect Unpaid Spousal Support
If your former spouse has stopped paying court-ordered spousal support, you need an experienced Alimony Enforcement Lawyer Prince George County. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. helps clients enforce alimony orders in Prince George County Circuit Court. We file contempt motions, seek wage garnishments, and pursue other legal remedies to collect unpaid spousal support. Call (888) 437-7747 for a 24/7 consultation.
Virginia Spousal Support Enforcement Law
Spousal support, or alimony, is a court-ordered financial obligation. In Virginia, the right to receive and the duty to pay spousal support are established under Va. Code § 20-107.1. When a payor fails to make payments, the recipient has the right to seek enforcement through the court that issued the original order, which for Prince George County residents is the Prince George County Circuit Court.
Last verified: April 2026 | Prince George County Circuit Court | Virginia General Assembly
Official Legal Resources
For the full text of Virginia’s spousal support statutes, visit the Va. Code § 20-107.1 (official Virginia General Assembly website). To access court forms and local rules, visit the Prince George County Circuit Court website.
Enforcing an Alimony Order in Prince George County
When alimony payments stop, the court provides several enforcement tools. In Prince George County Circuit Court, the primary method is filing a Rule to Show Cause for contempt. This motion asks the judge to hold the non-paying spouse in contempt of court for violating the order. The court can then impose penalties to compel payment.
- Document the Arrears: Gather all records showing missed payments, including your divorce decree, bank statements, and any communication about the missed payments.
- File a Motion for Rule to Show Cause: Your lawyer will file this motion in Prince George County Circuit Court, detailing the unpaid amounts and requesting a hearing.
- Serve the Other Party: The motion must be legally served on your former spouse, notifying them of the court date and the allegations.
- Attend the Contempt Hearing: At the hearing, you must prove the payments were missed. The judge may order immediate payment, wage garnishment, or other remedies.
- Execute the Judgment: If the court orders wage garnishment or liens, your attorney will ensure the necessary paperwork is filed with employers or the court clerk.
Potential Enforcement Remedies
In Prince George County, a judge can use several methods to enforce an alimony order and collect past-due support, including wage garnishment, liens, and even jail time for contempt.
| Remedy | Process | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Contempt of Court | Filing a Rule to Show Cause | Fines, attorney’s fees, or jail until payment is made |
| Income Withholding (Wage Garnishment) | Court order sent to employer | Payments deducted automatically from paycheck |
| Property Liens | Recording a judgment with the court | Prevents sale of property without paying the debt |
| Intercepting Tax Refunds | Submission to VA Department of Taxation | State or federal tax refunds seized for arrears |
| Suspension of Licenses | Petition to DMV or professional boards | Driver’s, professional, or recreational licenses suspended |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Experience with Family Law Enforcement
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997. Our firm brings over 120 years of combined legal experience to complex family law matters. Mr. Sris, our managing attorney, personally played a role in amending Virginia’s equitable distribution statute, Va. Code § 20-107.3, demonstrating a deep involvement in the evolution of Virginia family law. This foundational experience informs our strategic approach to enforcing support orders.
Samantha Rae Powers, Associate Attorney at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Licensed in VA, FL. Experienced family law and civil litigator. View Samantha Rae Powers’s Profile
Case Results and Client Advocacy
Our firm has a documented record of advocating for clients in family law matters. In Prince George County and across our service areas, we have achieved favorable outcomes for clients seeking to enforce court orders. For example, our team has successfully argued contempt motions resulting in the immediate payment of arrears and the establishment of reliable wage garnishment orders.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Mr. Sris, the firm’s founder and a former prosecutor, provides strategic oversight on complex enforcement cases, ensuring every legal avenue is explored to secure our clients’ financial support.
Contact Our Prince George County Alimony Enforcement Lawyers
If you need to enforce an alimony order, our Alimony Enforcement Lawyer Prince George County team is ready to help. We serve clients in Prince George, Hopewell, and surrounding areas.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Richmond Location
7400 Beaufont Springs Dr Suite 300 Room 359, Richmond, VA 23225, United States
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (804)201-9009
Phones answered 24/7/365. Office meetings by appointment only.
Our Richmond location serves clients at the Prince George County courts (6601 Courts Drive). Contact us for a consultation with an enforce alimony order lawyer Prince George County.
Frequently Asked Questions: Alimony Enforcement
What is the first step to enforce unpaid alimony in Virginia?
The first step is to hire an unpaid spousal support lawyer Prince George County to file a Rule to Show Cause for contempt in the Prince George County Circuit Court. This motion starts the formal enforcement process.
Can my ex-spouse go to jail for not paying alimony?
Yes. If the court finds your ex-spouse in willful contempt for not paying, the judge can impose a jail sentence. Often, the judge will use the threat of jail to compel immediate payment or set up a guaranteed payment plan.
How long does alimony enforcement take in Prince George County?
It depends on the method and the other party’s response. A simple wage garnishment order can take 4-8 weeks once granted. A contempt hearing might be scheduled within 30-60 days of filing the motion, but collecting the money can take longer if assets must be located.
What if my ex-spouse moves out of state?
Interstate enforcement is possible under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA). Your Virginia order can be registered in the new state, and enforcement actions can be pursued there with the help of local authorities or counsel.
Can I get my attorney’s fees paid by the other side?
Yes. Virginia law often allows the prevailing party in an enforcement action to recover reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs from the non-compliant party, as the litigation was necessitated by their failure to obey the court order.
Page last verified and updated: April 2026. Laws and procedures change. For current guidance on enforcing a spousal support order, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Internal Resources: For more on divorce law, see our Virginia Family Law hub page. For help with related matters in the area, consider our Prince George County criminal defense lawyers or Prince George County DUI attorneys.