Alimony, or spousal support, is a crucial aspect of many divorce settlements. It is designed to provide financial stability to a spouse who may have been economically disadvantaged by the marriage dissolution. But what happens when your ex-spouse fails to pay the court-ordered alimony? The good news is that there are options to recover years of unpaid alimony.
Unpaid spousal support does not simply disappear over time. It accumulates, potentially with interest, creating a substantial debt that your ex-spouse is legally obligated to pay. Even if years have passed since the last payment, you still have options to recover these funds.
Getting back unpaid alimony
The first step is to file an enforcement action with the court. This legal proceeding brings your ex-spouse’s non-compliance to the court’s attention. The judge has several tools at their disposal to compel payment, including:
- Wage garnishment
- Seizure of tax refunds
- Placing liens on property
- Contempt of court charges (which may result in fines or even jail time)
It is important to note that while there is often no deadline for collecting court-ordered alimony, acting sooner rather than later is recommendable. The longer you wait, the more challenging it may become to trace assets or prove the debt.
Reclaim your financial rights
If you are struggling with an ex-spouse who is not meeting their alimony obligations, do not lose hope. With the right legal strategy, you can recover unpaid spousal support, regardless of how much time has passed. With proper guidance and persistence, you can take control of your financial future and work towards reclaiming your stability. Remember, you have the power to take that first step toward reclaiming the support rightfully yours.