If your former spouse has stopped paying court-ordered spousal support, an Alimony Contempt Lawyer Chesterfield County can file a show-cause motion at Chesterfield County Circuit Court under Va. Code § 20-107.1. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 15 documented case results in Chesterfield County. Mr. Sris personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute.
Last verified: April 2026 | Chesterfield County General District Court | Va. Code § 20-107.1 (official Virginia General Assembly)
Spousal support contempt in Virginia arises when one party willfully disobeys a court order to pay alimony. Under Va. Code § 20-107.1, the court considers 13 factors when setting spousal support. A spousal support violation lawyer Chesterfield County can help you file a motion for contempt, which asks the judge to find the non-paying spouse in violation of the court order. If the court finds contempt, penalties can include wage garnishment, property liens, or even jail time for willful non-compliance. The burden is on the moving party to show the order exists and the other party failed to comply.
For more information on spousal support enforcement, review the official Virginia Code § 20-107.1 (spousal support factors) and the Chesterfield County General District Court website for procedural rules.
Chesterfield County Circuit Court requires a corroborating witness for uncontested divorce hearings. For contempt motions, the court typically schedules a show-cause hearing within 21-60 days of filing. A contempt for unpaid alimony lawyer Chesterfield County knows that the court often orders mediation before a contempt hearing.
- Document the violation. Gather bank statements, payment records, and any communication showing missed or partial payments.
- File a show-cause motion. Your attorney files at Chesterfield County Circuit Court (9500 Courthouse Road) requesting the court to order the non-paying spouse to appear.
- Serve the motion. The non-paying spouse must be personally served by sheriff or private process server at least 10 days before the hearing.
- Attend the hearing. Present evidence of the violation. The court will determine if the non-compliance was willful.
- Request remedies. Ask for wage garnishment, property liens, or other enforcement mechanisms if contempt is found.
- Follow up. Monitor compliance and report any further violations to your attorney immediately.
In Chesterfield County, contempt for unpaid spousal support can result in wage garnishment, property liens, or up to 12 months in jail for willful non-compliance.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willful non-payment of spousal support | Civil contempt | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | None directly | Wage garnishment, property liens, credit damage |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. The firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience and has documented 4,739+ case results firm-wide with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, Virginia’s equitable distribution statute, demonstrating deep legislative knowledge of family law. The firm’s tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 15 total documented case results in Chesterfield County across all practice areas, with a 100% favorable outcome rate. Firm-wide, the firm has 4,739+ case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Richmond location serves clients at Chesterfield County courts (9500 Courthouse Road), accessible via I-95, I-295, Route 1, Route 10, and Route 360 (Hull Street).
Alimony contempt lawyer near Chesterfield Towne Center and Pocahontas State Park.
Serving: Midlothian, Chester, Colonial Heights area, Bon Air, Brandermill, Moseley.
24/7 phone consultations — Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (804)201-9009
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Can I go to jail for not paying alimony in Chesterfield County?
Yes. If the court finds your non-payment was willful, civil contempt can result in up to 12 months in jail. The court typically orders wage garnishment first, but incarceration is possible for repeated or intentional violations.
How long does a contempt hearing take in Chesterfield County?
It depends. A show-cause hearing is typically scheduled within 21-60 days of filing the motion. Contested hearings with evidence and witnesses may take longer. Simple cases may resolve in one hearing.
What evidence do I need for a spousal support contempt case?
You need the court order showing the support amount, bank statements or payment records showing missed payments, and any communication (emails, texts) where the other party admits non-payment or refuses to pay.
Can I modify alimony instead of filing contempt?
Yes. If the paying spouse has lost their job or had a significant change in income, you can file a motion to modify spousal support under Va. Code § 20-107.1. Contempt is for enforcing existing orders, not changing them.
Does Virginia require a separation period before filing for alimony contempt?
No. Contempt for unpaid spousal support does not require a separation period. You can file as soon as a payment is missed after the court order is entered. The court order must be valid and enforceable.
What is the difference between civil and criminal contempt for alimony?
Civil contempt is about coercing compliance — you can avoid jail by paying. Criminal contempt punishes past willful violations with a fixed sentence. Most spousal support cases in Chesterfield County are civil contempt.
Last verified: April 2026. Information updated as of 2026-02-15. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.
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Related localities: Henrico County Family Law Lawyer | Colonial Heights Family Law Lawyer.
Other practice areas in Chesterfield County: Criminal Defense Lawyer | DUI/DWI Lawyer.