An Alimony Contempt Lawyer King William County handles spousal support violations under Va. Code § 20-107.3. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 7 documented case results in King William County. You can enforce unpaid alimony through the King William County Circuit Court.
Last verified: 2026-04 | King William County General District Court | Va. Code § 20-107.3 (official Virginia General Assembly)
Spousal support contempt in Virginia arises when a party fails to comply with a court order for alimony payments. Under Va. Code § 20-107.3, the court has authority to enforce its own orders through contempt proceedings. This statute was personally amended by Mr. Sris, founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. (founded 1997). A finding of contempt can result in wage garnishment, property liens, or incarceration for willful nonpayment. The King William County Circuit Court handles all spousal support enforcement matters within the Ninth Judicial District.
Alimony contempt specifically involves the willful disobedience of a spousal support order. Unlike general family law contempt, alimony contempt requires proof that the paying spouse had the ability to pay and intentionally refused. The court may order a show cause hearing where the alleged contemnor must explain the nonpayment. Va. Code § 20-107.3 provides the statutory framework for both the initial support order and its enforcement through contempt.
For official legal references, consult the Virginia General Assembly statute for Va. Code § 20-107.3 and the King William County General District Court website for local procedural rules.
In King William County Circuit Court, prosecutors routinely request show cause hearings within 21-60 days of filing a motion for contempt. The court expects clear evidence of the paying spouse’s income and assets.
- File a Motion for Show Cause — Submit the motion at the King William County Circuit Court, 351 Courthouse Lane, Suite 201. Filing fee is approximately $86.
- Serve the Respondent — Have the sheriff or private process server deliver the show cause order. Sheriff service costs about $12; private process server $50-$100.
- Prepare Financial Evidence — Gather pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and any written communication about missed payments.
- Attend the Show Cause Hearing — Present your evidence to the judge. The respondent must explain why they failed to pay.
- Obtain a Contempt Order — If the court finds willful contempt, it can order wage garnishment, a payment plan, or incarceration.
- Enforce the Order — If the respondent still fails to pay, you may file for additional contempt or seek a judgment lien on property.
In King William County, alimony contempt carries potential incarceration up to 12 months and fines up to $2,500 for each violation.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willful nonpayment of spousal support | Civil contempt (remedial) or criminal contempt (punitive) | Up to 12 months for criminal contempt | Up to $2,500 per violation | No direct license impact | Wage garnishment, property liens, credit damage, attorney fees awarded to the other party |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor. The firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience and has documented 4,739+ case results firm-wide across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC, with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute that governs spousal support in Virginia. This amendment is a documented legislative achievement that demonstrates deep experience in Virginia family law. The firm’s tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
Mr. Sris, the firm’s founder and managing attorney, also handles family law cases in King William County. He is admitted to practice in VA, MD, DC, NJ, and NY, and personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 7 total documented case results across all practice areas in King William County, with a 100% favorable outcome rate. Firm-wide, the firm has 4,739+ documented 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 is approximately 30 miles from the King William County Circuit Court, accessible via Route 30, Route 360, and Route 33.
If you need an alimony contempt lawyer near King William, we serve clients throughout the area.
We serve the communities of King William, West Point, and Aylett.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Richmond
7400 Beaufont Springs Dr, Suite 300, Rm 395, Richmond, VA 23225
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (804)201-9009
By appointment only.
Can I go to jail for not paying alimony in King William County?
Yes. Willful failure to pay spousal support can result in criminal contempt with up to 12 months incarceration.
Yes. Willful failure to pay spousal support can result in criminal contempt with up to 12 months incarceration. The court must find you had the ability to pay and intentionally refused. A spousal support violation lawyer King William County can help you present evidence of inability to pay.
How long does a contempt hearing take in King William County?
It depends. A show cause hearing is typically set within 21-60 days of filing the motion.
It depends. A show cause hearing is typically set within 21-60 days of filing the motion. The actual hearing lasts 30-60 minutes. A contempt for unpaid alimony lawyer King William County can help you prepare the necessary evidence.
What evidence do I need for an alimony contempt case?
You need pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and written communication about missed payments.
You need pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and written communication about missed payments. The court also requires a financial statement affidavit from both parties. An Alimony Contempt Lawyer King William County can help you organize this evidence.
Can the court garnish wages for unpaid alimony in Virginia?
Yes. Virginia law allows wage garnishment of up to 50% of disposable earnings for unpaid spousal support.
Yes. Virginia law allows wage garnishment of up to 50% of disposable earnings for unpaid spousal support. The court can also place a lien on real property. A spousal support violation lawyer King William County can file the necessary motions.
Is mediation required before a contempt hearing in King William County?
No. Mediation is not mandatory for contempt proceedings in Virginia, but the court may suggest it.
No. Mediation is not mandatory for contempt proceedings in Virginia, but the court may suggest it. The King William County Circuit Court typically proceeds directly to a show cause hearing. An Alimony Contempt Lawyer King William County can advise on whether mediation is appropriate in your case.
For more information, visit our Virginia family law lawyer hub page. You may also want to see our Henrico County family law lawyer or Chesterfield County family law lawyer pages. For related practice areas in King William County, see our criminal defense lawyer and DUI lawyer pages.
Learn more about our team: Samantha Powers, VA Family Law Attorney. Visit our Richmond office location for in-person consultations by appointment.
Last verified: 2026-04. Information updated as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.