Support Orders After a Divorce in Florida
Divorce is a complicated issue, even after the court grants the divorce and awards custody, child support, or alimony. The Florida Department of Revenue manages the Child Support Program. A non-compliant ex-spouse can drag out the conflict much longer while you and your children try to rebuild your lives following the divorce.
At Miami Family Law Group, PLLC, we have over 30 years of combined experience in family law, divorce, alimony, and child support enforcement in Miami. We can help you hold your former spouse in contempt of the court’s support orders. Contact us today to schedule a strategy session.
Examples of Non-Compliance Following a Florida Divorce
Depending on the divorce agreement with your ex-spouse, they could be non-compliant if they fail to adhere to certain support orders, including:
- Failing to pay alimony or falling behind on alimony payments
- Failing to pay child support or falling behind on child support payments
- Failing to maintain the time-sharing agreement with the custodial parent
- Failing to transfer property titles as ordered by the court
Enforcement of Alimony Support Orders in Florida
While alimony (also called maintenance or spousal support) is not a means of punishment for a marriage ending, many higher-earning ex-spouses may see it that way. What spousal support really does is help the lower-earning party to adjust so they can live independently at the same standard of living to which they became accustomed during the marriage.
If you and your former spouse agreed to alimony and the court approved specific support orders, you can pursue alimony that’s in arrears (behind on payments owed) with the help of a knowledgeable and experienced alimony enforcement attorney. At Miami Family Law Group, PLLC, we can help you pursue missed alimony payments in arrears from your former spouse by filing charges of contempt.
Enforcement of Child Support Services in Florida
The Child Support Act of 1984 allows parents to collect child support with help from state attorneys. Your state attorney may pursue alternate methods of payment from a non-compliant child support payor, including garnishing wages, appropriating federal tax refunds, seizing assets or property, suspending occupational or business licenses, or revoking a driver’s license.
A state attorney may go as far as threatening jail time for contempt of court by non-payment, although the court recognizes that a delinquent payor will not have the opportunity to earn an income in jail, and could fall further into arrears.
If a parent in arrears moves to another state, an experienced child support enforcement attorney can help you pursue continued payments through the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA).
Parents who experience situational changes that affect their ability to pay child support such as losing a job or experiencing a sudden medical emergency, should file with the court immediately for a reduction or stay of child support. Petitioning the court for an alteration of your child support agreement will not affect any past-due balance.
