When Your Ex Didn’t Comply with Divorce Rulings

The divorce has been finalized – you hold the written decree of divorce in your hands and you’re ready to finally put that chapter behind you, but what if your ex has other plans?

If your ex has failed to abide by your final divorce order, no matter if it’s been months or years after the divorce has been finalized, it can leave you reeling and bring up feelings of anger and frustration. Not only is the behavior not “fair,” it may also be illegal and put your spouse in contempt of court for failing to abide by court orders. So what should you do?

• Talk to your ex – Before taking any serious action, one of the first things you should do is try talking to your ex. In doing so, you may be able to resolve the issue without having to escalate things.
• Review your divorce decree – Additionally, you should also thoroughly re-read your divorce agreement/final order to ensure that you have continued to remain in compliance with all of its provisions. There may also be conditions in your decree that require you to take certain actions before formally enforcing anything.
• Keep records – Continue to keep records of anything and everything that may suggest a breach of the order, including failure to abide by the time-sharing arrangement, missing child support payments, or violating the property distribution order.
• Talk to a family law lawyer – If you are ever uncertain about what to do before, during, or after divorce, talk to a lawyer. They will help you evaluate your options and understand your rights. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to return to court and seek post-judgment enforcement.

Your divorce decree is more than just a piece of paper. It is legally binding and must be treated as so. If your ex is not complying with your divorce rulings, we can help. Get in touch with our team right away at the Vasquez de Lara Law Group.