Family Law Enforcement

The Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage contains provisions that each party is required to uphold. Some examples include parenting plans, support awards, equitable distributions, orders to take other actions or make payments. Should either party fail to uphold one or more of the provisions, it might be necessary to seek a court order to have a judge force a party to comply with the terms of an agreement or court order.

For example, if a party is ordered to pay child support or alimony to the other party, and the paying party fails to make such payments, then the recipient party may seek enforcement of the court’s order. On the other hand, the paying party may be experiencing circumstances that prevent him or her from complying with the court’s order, which could be a potential defense.

Whether you are seeking to enforce an order or your former spouse or another party is seeking compliance from you, it is important to consider some of the possible outcomes of court order enforcement:

  • Garnishment of wages
  • Entry of a judgment
  • Foreclosure on property
  • Responsibility for attorneys’ fees and court costs
  • Being found in contempt of court
  • Loss of professional licenses or driver’s license
  • Incarceration

Violation of a court order in a Florida family law case can have serious consequences for the non-complying party.

Whether you are the party seeking enforcement or the party who is not currently in compliance with the court’s order, your voice must be heard, and the attorneys at Nicole L. Goetz, P.L. are able to assist. We have experience handling both sides of an enforcement action. For more information on how you may benefit from our services, please contact us to schedule a confidential consultation in our office in Naples, Florida.

These are some of the areas in which we provide advice: