How to Enforce Spousal Support Orders in California | California Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

 

How to Enforce Spousal Support Orders in California

If you have a court-ordered spousal support obligation that is not being paid, California law gives you several tools to enforce the order and collect what is owed. Below I explain the practical options, the typical enforcement process, and how to move from missed checks to steady payments.

When to seek enforcement

Do not delay enforcement if spousal support payments stop. Whether the nonpaying spouse lost a job, changed employers, or is simply refusing to pay, a court-ordered support obligation carries legal weight. If the order exists and payments are missed, you can file a request to enforce the order with the court that issued it.

The court has a number of remedies to make sure support payments are made. Common enforcement tools include:

Wage garnishment or wage assignment

The court can issue a wage assignment that requires the payer’s employer to deduct support payments from wages and send them directly to you. This is often the most reliable way to restart regular payments once the payer has new employment.

Interest on unpaid amounts

California can allow interest to accrue on unpaid spousal support arrears. This increases the amount the payer owes and provides a financial incentive to resolve arrears quickly.

Contempt of court

If the payer willfully disobeys a court order, the court may hold them in contempt. Contempt remedies can include fines, attorney fees, and in extreme cases, jail. Contempt is typically used when other enforcement measures have failed or when nonpayment is willful.

Other collection tools

  • Bank account levies and liens against property
  • Seizure of assets where appropriate
  • Coordination with the Department of Child Support Services if a child support case also exists

Step-by-step enforcement process

While every case has its own facts, the typical steps to enforce a spousal support order are:

  1. Gather documentation: the court order, records of missed payments, bank statements, and any communication about nonpayment.
  2. File a request to enforce the spousal support order with the court that issued the order. This starts the enforcement process.
  3. Ask the court to issue a wage assignment or other collection remedy. The court will review the request and can order immediate withholding from wages.
  4. If necessary, request interest on arrears and pursue a contempt hearing if the payer is knowingly refusing to comply.
  5. Follow up with the court and the payer’s employer until payments resume or the matter is resolved.

What you should bring to court

  • A copy of the spousal support order
  • Proof of missed payments such as canceled checks, bank statements, or payment records
  • Information about the payer’s employment and income if available
  • Any correspondence or evidence showing attempts to collect payments

Real client example

One recent case highlights how enforcement works in practice. A client stopped receiving spousal support after their ex lost a job and later started working for a new employer. We filed enforcement paperwork with the court requesting a wage assignment. Once the court issued the wage assignment to the new employer, payments resumed automatically and the arrears began to be collected. That kind of outcome is common when the court is asked to intervene early and decisively.

How we can help

Enforcing a support order involves paperwork, correct forms, and sometimes hearings. We help by preparing and filing the enforcement documents, requesting wage garnishments or wage assignments, calculating interest on arrears, and coordinating with agencies like the Department of Child Support Services when appropriate.

If you are not receiving the spousal support the court ordered, visit divorce661.com and schedule a free consultation. We can review your order, explain the enforcement options available, and help you take the right steps to collect what is legally owed to you.

“If support is court-ordered and not being paid, you can file a request to enforce the order.”

How to Enforce Child Support Orders in California | California Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

 

How to Enforce Child Support Orders in California

If you are supposed to be receiving child support and the other parent has stopped paying or is inconsistent, you have options. California law provides clear tools to enforce court-ordered child support so your child gets the financial support they are entitled to. You do not have to wait or struggle alone.

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

When to take action

Taking action is appropriate as soon as payments stop or become unreliable. Even short gaps in payments can create hardship. The first step is to review your existing court order and confirm what was ordered and whether any modifications are needed. If the order is still valid, you can move straight to enforcement.

How enforcement works

The most common way to enforce a child support order is to file an enforcement request with the court. Once the court is asked to step in, it has several enforcement powers it can use to collect unpaid support and ensure future payments are made.

Typical enforcement process

  1. Gather documentation showing the court order and missed payments.
  2. File an enforcement request or motion with the family court that issued the order.
  3. The court may set a hearing where both parents can present information.
  4. If the court finds noncompliance, it can issue collection and enforcement orders.
  5. Collection orders are implemented through the employer, government agencies, or other enforcement mechanisms until arrears and ongoing support are paid.

Legal tools the court can use

California courts can use a range of enforcement tools. These are commonly used alone or together to compel payment:

  • Wage garnishment or wage assignment issued to the other parent’s employer so support payments are deducted from paychecks and sent directly to you.
  • Liens on property to secure unpaid amounts against real estate or other valuable assets.
  • License suspension including driver licenses, professional licenses, or recreational licenses to apply pressure for payment.
  • Interest on unpaid support which accrues until overdue amounts are paid, increasing the total owed.
  • Coordination with the local child support agency which can provide additional collection resources and administrative enforcement.

What happens to unpaid support

Unpaid child support does not simply disappear. In California, unpaid amounts typically accrue interest until they are paid. That means delays in collecting support increase the total debt. Using enforcement tools quickly helps limit additional accrual and gets payments to your child faster.

Real client example

We recently helped a parent who had not received child support for more than six months. After filing an enforcement request, the court issued a wage assignment to the other parent’s employer. Within weeks the missed payments started coming in regularly and ongoing payments were collected directly from pay. This is a common outcome when enforcement steps are taken promptly.

How to prepare before filing

  • Collect copies of the court order, payment history, and any communication about missed payments.
  • Document the dates and amounts of missed payments and any financial hardship caused.
  • Decide whether to seek enforcement through the court, negotiate directly with the other parent, or involve the local child support agency.

How we can help

We can help you review your court order, prepare the enforcement paperwork, and pursue a resolution through the court or by negotiating directly with the other parent. If needed, we will coordinate with the local child support agency to pursue additional collection options. Our goal is to get the support your child is legally entitled to as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Next steps

If you are not receiving the child support you are owed, do not wait. Schedule a consultation to review your order and start the enforcement process. With the right steps, courts can issue wage assignments and other orders that resume payments in a matter of weeks.

Take action today to protect your child and get the support they deserve.

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 from Divorce661. If your ex has stopped paying spousal support in California, you don’t have to sit and wait—there are strong legal tools available to make them comply. In this article I’ll walk you through the enforcement options, what to do first, and how to get your support payments moving again.

Why you should act quickly

Unpaid spousal support can accumulate interest and put you in a difficult financial spot. The courts expect support orders to be followed, and when payments stop, prompt action increases the likelihood you’ll recover the money owed. Don’t let unpaid support pile up. Act promptly to secure your financial future.

Common enforcement tools the court can use

California courts have several enforcement mechanisms to collect spousal support. Knowing your options helps you choose the right strategy for your situation.

Wage garnishment / wage assignment

The court can issue a wage assignment (also called wage garnishment) that directs your ex-employer to withhold a portion of their paycheck and send it to you automatically. This is often the fastest, most reliable way to restart payments—especially if your ex changed jobs and payments stopped.

Contempt of court

If a person willfully disobeys a support order, the court can hold them in contempt. That can lead to fines or even jail time. Contempt is a powerful remedy but usually requires the court to find that the non-paying spouse had the ability to pay and chose not to.

Liens, levies, and bank garnishments

The court can place liens on property, levy bank accounts, or use other collection devices to secure unpaid support. These tools can be effective when wage garnishment isn’t possible or if there’s a lump-sum owed.

Interest on unpaid support

Unpaid spousal support typically accrues interest. That means delaying enforcement can increase the total amount owed—another reason to file an enforcement request sooner rather than later.

The Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) — when to involve them

While DCSS primarily enforces child support, they can sometimes assist with spousal support matters depending on the case circumstances. If you already work with DCSS or your case has elements that overlap with child support, coordinating with them can add another enforcement pathway.

Real client example: How enforcement can work

One of our clients experienced a sudden stop in spousal support after their ex changed jobs. They were unsure what to do, so we filed enforcement paperwork with the court. The court issued a new wage assignment and payments resumed automatically—no drawn-out court fight was necessary. This demonstrates how effective filing an enforcement request can be.

How to start: filing an enforcement request

Here’s a basic roadmap to enforcing a spousal support order in California:

  • File a Request for Order (RFO) or enforcement paperwork with the family court that issued the support order.
  • Ask the court for a wage assignment, arrears judgment, contempt hearing, or other appropriate relief.
  • Provide proof of the missed payments and any communications about payment.
  • Serve the other party with the paperwork and attend any required hearings.
  • If ordered, coordinate with your ex’s employer or financial institutions to implement garnishments or levies.

Typical documents to gather

  • Copy of the spousal support order or judgment
  • Bank statements and payment records showing missed payments
  • Paystubs or proof of your ex’s employment changes (if available)
  • Any written communications about the payments

What to expect: timeline and outcomes

Timelines vary. A simple wage assignment can be issued fairly quickly and produce automatic payments within a few pay cycles. Contempt proceedings or contested hearings take longer. Regardless, filing enforcement paperwork starts the clock and helps preserve your rights and the amount owed.

Practical tips

  • Act immediately after the first missed payment—prompt enforcement prevents bigger arrears and interest.
  • Document everything. Clear records make enforcement smoother.
  • If your ex changes jobs, a new wage assignment can be issued to the new employer.
  • Consider professional help to prepare the paperwork and handle coordination with courts and employers.

How I can help

At Divorce661 we file enforcement requests, handle wage garnishments, and coordinate with the court and support services so you get the payments you’re legally owed. We offer flat-fee services across California and a straightforward process to get enforcement moving quickly and with less stress.

Schedule a free consultation at divorce661.com to discuss your case and next steps. By taking action today, you can regain control of your financial situation and ensure you receive the support entitled to you.

Conclusion

Unpaid spousal support is serious, but California provides effective enforcement tools—from wage garnishments and wage assignments to contempt and liens. Filing an enforcement request is the first and most important step. If you need help navigating the process, reach out: divorce661.com. Don’t let unpaid support pile up—act now.

“Don’t let unpaid support pile up. Act promptly to secure your financial future.” — Tim Blankenship, Divorce661