Alimony Contempt Lawyer Clarke County — How to Enforce Your Spousal Support Order
If your former spouse has stopped paying court-ordered spousal support, an Alimony Contempt Lawyer Clarke County can help. Under Va. Code § 20-107.1, the Clarke County Circuit Court can hold a non-paying spouse in contempt. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 29 documented case results in Clarke County. Call (888) 437-7747 for a consultation by appointment.
Last verified: April 2026 | Clarke County General District Court | Va. Code § 20-107.1 (official Virginia General Assembly)
Virginia law under Va. Code § 20-107.1 authorizes courts to award spousal support based on 13 statutory factors. When a spouse willfully fails to pay court-ordered spousal support, the receiving spouse can file a motion for contempt. The Clarke County Circuit Court has authority to enforce support orders through contempt proceedings, which can result in wage garnishment, property liens, or even jail time for the non-paying spouse. A spousal support violation lawyer Clarke County understands the specific procedures at the Clarke County Circuit Court located at 104 North Church Street, Berryville, VA 22611.
For the full text of Virginia’s spousal support statute, see Va. Code § 20-107.1 (official Virginia General Assembly). For Clarke County Circuit Court procedures, visit the Clarke County General District Court website.
- File a motion for contempt at the Clarke County Circuit Court clerk’s office at 104 North Church Street.
- Serve the motion on the non-paying spouse through sheriff service or a private process server.
- Attend the show cause hearing where the judge determines if contempt occurred.
- Present evidence of missed payments, the spouse’s income, and their ability to pay.
- Request remedies including wage garnishment, lump sum payment, or incarceration.
- Obtain a court order for enforcement, which may include attorney’s fees.
In Clarke County, contempt for unpaid alimony can result in serious penalties including jail time and wage garnishment.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Contempt (unpaid spousal support) | Civil | Up to 12 months (purgeable by payment) | None (but may owe attorney’s fees) | None | Wage garnishment, property liens, credit damage |
| Criminal Contempt (willful refusal to pay) | Criminal | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | None | Criminal record, loss of professional licenses |
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 across Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington D.C. with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, Virginia’s equitable distribution statute, demonstrating deep family law experience. The firm’s tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
In Clarke County, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 29 total documented case results across all practice areas with a 72% favorable outcome rate. Firm-wide across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC, the firm has 4,739+ case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Richmond location serves clients at the Clarke County courts (104 North Church Street, Berryville, VA 22611), accessible via Route 7, Route 340, and Route 50. We serve the neighborhoods of Berryville and Boyce. A contempt for unpaid alimony lawyer Clarke County is available near the Clarke County Courthouse and the Shenandoah River area.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (804)201-9009
By appointment only.
Can I go to jail for not paying alimony in Clarke County?
Yes. Under Va. Code § 20-107.1, the Clarke County Circuit Court can hold you in criminal contempt for willful non-payment, carrying up to 12 months in jail. The court must find you had the ability to pay but refused.
How do I file a contempt motion for unpaid alimony in Clarke County?
File a motion for contempt at the Clarke County Circuit Court clerk’s office at 104 North Church Street, Berryville, VA 22611. The filing fee is approximately $86. You must serve the motion on the non-paying spouse.
What evidence do I need for an alimony contempt case?
You need proof of the court order, bank statements showing missed payments, and evidence of the spouse’s income or assets. The court requires clear proof that the spouse had the ability to pay but willfully refused.
How long does an alimony contempt case take in Clarke County?
It depends. Contempt hearings in Clarke County Circuit Court are typically set within 30-45 days of filing. Complex cases with disputed financial evidence may take 2-4 months to resolve.
Can a spousal support violation lawyer help me collect back alimony?
Yes. A spousal support violation lawyer Clarke County can file a contempt motion, gather financial evidence, and represent you at the show cause hearing. The court can order wage garnishment, lump sum payments, or attorney’s fees.
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.