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Enforcing Alimony Orders

Alimony is designed to help one spouse maintain a normal life, or reestablish themselves after a divorce. If a judge orders a spouse to pay alimony, the court has determined that the other spouse is in need of spousal support.

When the paying spouse fails to comply with the court order, the court may employ extreme measures to ensure that the alimony is paid so that the other spouse gets the support he or she needs. If you have been awarded financial assistance and your former spouse is failing to pay it, contact an alimony attorney in West Chester who can help you obtain the financial assistance you are legally entitled to.

Chester County Lawyer for Alimony Order Enforcement

The dedicated family attorneys at Ciccarelli Law Offices are knowledgeable in the laws regarding alimony in Pennsylvania as well as related financial arrangements, such as child support. They proudly represent clients in Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Lancaster County, as well as clients in the greater Philadelphia region, who are being deprived the financial support they need.

Call (610) 692-8700 or send an online message for a free consultation so we can act as soon as possible. We are based in West Chester PA and serve clients throughout Chester County, Lancaster County and suburban Philadelphia including West Chester, Kennett Square, Oxford, Avondale, Landenberg, West Grove, Paoli, Malvern, Downingtown, Coatesville, Exton, Parkesburg, Berwyn and Devon.  We have convenient meeting locations in Lancaster, Philadelphia, Plymouth Meeting, Kennett Square, Malvern, Springfield, King of Prussia, and Radnor. Our family lawyers serve those with immediate legal needs in Chester County, Montgomery County, Delaware County and Lancaster County.

Information Center on Pennsylvania Alimony Enforcement

How Pennsylvania Family Courts Determine Alimony

There are several factors that the courts use to determine alimony in Pennsylvania. Some of the main factors include each spouse’s current income, the length of the marriage, the standard of living that was established during the marriage, the assets and liabilities of each spouse, and the earning capacity of each spouse.

Depending on the circumstances, a judge has the right to order alimony at his or her discretion. This can be ordered for a specified period of time or for a lifetime. If the spouse who is receiving the payments remarries, the alimony will be terminated.

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Options for Enforcing Alimony in Chester County

If you have been awarded alimony, and your former spouse stops paying or refuses to pay, you and your family law attorney should file a motion with the court, asking a judge to order your former spouse to make the past due alimony payments, as well keep future payments up to date.

According to Title 23 and Section 3703 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in order to assistant spouses who aren’t receiving their alimony payments, the court can enforce its order by:

  • Authorize the seizure of the paying spouse’s personal property
  • Authorize the seizure of rent or profit received from real estate property owned by the paying spouse
  • Award interest on missed alimony payments
  • Issue a warrant for the paying spouse’s arrest for failing to comply with a court order/contempt of court, which could lead to up to six months in jail
  • Award court costs and attorney fees
  • Order that up to 50 percent of the paying spouse’s wages be garnished in order to pay alimony
  • Enter a judgment that will require the spouse to pay the total amount of missed alimony payments

A qualified family law attorney can help ensure all avenues are exercised efficiently and help you pursue the payments that were awarded to you by Pennsylvania’s courts.

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Our Chester County Alimony Enforcement Attorneys Will Fight for You

If your former spouse has failed or refused to pay what been awarded, contact Ciccarelli Law Offices. We proudly serve clients throughout West Chester, Phoenixville, Coatesville, Downingtown, Exton, Lancaster, and nearby areas. Call today at (610) 692-8700or send an online message to schedule your consultation. Your first consultation is free, and can be a vital step in the process of enforcing your court order.

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