How to Enforce Child Support Orders in California | Los Angeles Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

 

How to Enforce Child Support Orders in California

I’m Tim Blankenship with Divorce661. If you’re supposed to be receiving court-ordered child support in California and the other parent isn’t paying, you don’t have to struggle alone. In this article I’ll walk you through the legal tools available to enforce a child support order, explain the typical process, and share a real client example showing how enforcement can work quickly and effectively.

Why act when child support stops?

Child support is a legal obligation designed to provide for your child’s needs. When payments stop or become inconsistent, the unpaid amounts can pile up and even accrue interest. You have the right to ask the court to step in and use enforcement measures to collect what is owed.

“If there’s a court order for support and payments have stopped or are inconsistent, you have the right to take action.”

Common enforcement tools used in California

California courts and child support agencies have several powerful methods to collect unpaid support. These include:

  • Wage garnishment / wage assignment: The court can order the other parent’s employer to withhold child support directly from their paycheck and send it to the custodial parent or support agency.
  • Liens on property: Unpaid support can result in a lien against real property or other assets, which can prevent sales or refinancing until the debt is resolved.
  • License suspension: Driver’s licenses, professional licenses, and other licenses may be suspended for failure to pay child support.
  • Interest on unpaid amounts: Unpaid support often accrues interest until it’s paid in full, increasing the total amount owed.
  • Coordination with local child support agencies: Agencies have additional enforcement powers and resources that can help collect overdue payments.

How enforcement typically works: step-by-step

  1. Review your court order: Confirm the terms of the order—how much is due, payment schedule, and any arrears already recorded.
  2. File an enforcement request: Ask the court to enforce the order. This initiates the legal process and lets the court consider appropriate remedies.
  3. Court issues enforcement remedies: Depending on the situation, the court can order wage assignments, liens, license suspensions, or other measures.
  4. Implement and monitor collection: Once a wage assignment or other remedy is in place, payments should begin to arrive. Continue to track receipts and update the court or agency as needed.
  5. Follow up and escalate if necessary: If payments continue to lapse, you can request further court action or work with the child support agency for additional enforcement.

Real client example

We recently worked with a parent who hadn’t received support in over six months. We reviewed their court order and filed an enforcement request with the court. Within weeks, a wage assignment was issued and sent to the other parent’s employer. Payment resumed and the missed amounts began coming in on a regular basis.

“We helped them file an enforcement request, and within weeks, a wage assignment was issued to collect payments directly from the other parent’s employer.”

How I can help you

At Divorce661 I assist clients in several practical ways:

  • Reviewing the existing child support order and documenting missed payments.
  • Preparing and filing enforcement paperwork with the court.
  • Negotiating directly with the other parent when appropriate to reach a prompt resolution.
  • Coordinating with local child support agencies to pursue additional enforcement tools.
  • Explaining the likely timeline and what to expect once enforcement is initiated.

Quick tips and frequently asked questions

Is wage garnishment the most effective tool?

Wage garnishment (wage assignment) is often very effective because it secures regular, automatic payments directly from the employer. However, the right tool depends on the circumstances—assets, employment status, and the other parent’s history all matter.

What if the other parent is self-employed or unemployed?

Enforcement is still possible but may require different strategies, such as placing liens on property, garnishing business accounts, or working with the child support agency to locate income sources.

Does unpaid support accrue interest?

Yes. Unpaid child support generally accrues interest until the debt is satisfied, so it’s important to act promptly to reduce the total amount owed.

Conclusion and next steps

If you’re not receiving the child support your child is legally entitled to, you have options. Filing an enforcement request with the court can trigger wage garnishments, liens, license suspensions, and other remedies that compel payment. If you’d like help reviewing your order or preparing enforcement paperwork, visit divorce661.com and schedule a free consultation. I’ll help you take the right steps to protect your child and get the support that’s required.

 

How to Enforce Spousal Support Orders in California | Los Angeles Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

 

How to Enforce Spousal Support Orders in California

I’m Tim Blankenship with Divorce661. If you have a court-ordered spousal support (alimony) obligation in California and your ex isn’t paying, you have legal remedies. In this post I’ll walk you through the practical steps the court can take to make sure support is paid, explain your enforcement options, and share a real client example of how enforcement worked in practice.

Why enforcement matters

Spousal support orders carry legal weight. They aren’t just suggestions — they’re enforceable judgments. When payments stop, you don’t have to accept it or try to handle collection on your own. California law gives you several tools to collect past-due support and ensure ongoing payments.

Common enforcement tools the court can use

  • Wage garnishment (wage assignment): The court can issue an order directing the payer’s employer to withhold a portion of wages and send it directly to you.
  • Interest on arrears: Courts can order interest to be charged on unpaid support amounts, which discourages nonpayment and compensates for delays.
  • Contempt of court: If a payer wilfully refuses to obey a support order, the court can hold them in contempt. Contempt can result in fines or jail in extreme cases, and it often motivates compliance.
  • Coordination with enforcement agencies: If child support enforcement is involved, the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) can sometimes assist with spousal support enforcement, depending on the situation.

Step-by-step: What to do if you’re not receiving support

  1. Document missed payments. Keep copies of the court order and a clear record of missed or late payments (bank statements, canceled checks, emails, or texts).
  2. Prepare enforcement paperwork. File a request to enforce the order with the family court that issued the support order. The exact form and process can vary, so check local court rules or get help preparing the documents.
  3. Request specific relief. Ask the court for a wage assignment, interest on arrears, and any other appropriate remedies. If you believe the nonpayment is intentional, request a contempt hearing.
  4. Attend the hearing. Bring your documentation and be prepared to explain the payment history to the judge. The court will review the evidence and decide which enforcement measures to issue.
  5. Follow up on orders. If the court orders wage garnishment or other remedies, make sure those orders are served on employers or agencies so payments start flowing.

Real client story

We recently helped a client whose ex stopped paying support after losing a job. The client thought there wasn’t much they could do. We filed the enforcement paperwork with the court, and after review the court issued a wage assignment through the ex’s new employer. As a result, payments resumed automatically. This is a great example of how enforcement can be fast and effective when you follow the right steps.

When to consider contempt

Contempt is a powerful remedy but best used when the non-paying spouse is intentionally refusing to comply. If the payer claims inability to pay (for example, job loss), the court will look at whether the claim is legitimate. Courts are typically more willing to order wage garnishments or other remedies when the payer has the ability to pay but chooses not to.

How Divorce661 can help

  • We prepare and file enforcement paperwork correctly so your request is clear and persuasive to the court.
  • We can request wage assignments and coordinate service on employers to restart automatic payments.
  • If child support services are involved, we can help coordinate efforts with the Department of Child Support Services.
  • We offer flat-fee divorce and spousal support services and provide straightforward guidance through the enforcement process.

Next steps

If you have a spousal support order and payments have stopped, don’t wait. Gather your documentation (court order and records of missed payments) and take action to have the court enforce the order.

For a free consultation about enforcing your spousal support order, visit Divorce661.com or schedule a free phone consultation at Divorce661.com/divorce661-consultation/. We’ll review your situation and help you take the right steps to collect what you’re legally owed.

Final thoughts

Enforcement options like wage garnishment, interest on arrears, and contempt are designed to make support orders effective. Courts can and do take nonpayment seriously — and with the right documentation and strategy, you can get support payments back on track.

“If support is court-ordered and not being paid, you can file a request to enforce the order. The court can step in by issuing a wage garnishment, charging interest on unpaid amounts, or even holding the non-paying spouse in contempt.”