In Lexington, Virginia, alimony contempt under Va. Code § 20-107.3 can result in wage garnishment, property liens, or jail time. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 14 documented case results in Lexington. An Alimony Contempt Lawyer Lexington can help you enforce or defend against contempt motions.
Alimony Contempt Lawyer Lexington, Virginia — What Are Your Options?
Alimony contempt in Virginia occurs when a party willfully disobeys a court order for spousal support. Under Va. Code § 20-107.3, the court may hold a party in contempt for failing to pay court-ordered spousal support. Mr. Sris, founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. (founded 1997), personally amended this equitable distribution statute. A spousal support violation lawyer Lexington understands that contempt can be either civil (coercive) or criminal (punitive). The court must find that the non-paying party had the ability to pay but chose not to. This distinction matters because criminal contempt carries potential jail time, while civil contempt typically results in fines or payment plans until compliance.
Last verified: April 2026 | Lexington General District Court | Va. Code § 20-107.3 (official Virginia General Assembly)
For more information on Virginia spousal support laws, visit the Virginia Code § 20-107.3 (official Virginia General Assembly). Court procedures for contempt motions are handled at the Lexington General District Court website.
In Lexington General District Court, contempt motions for unpaid spousal support follow a specific procedural track. The court at 2 South Main Street requires strict proof of willful non-payment. A contempt for unpaid alimony lawyer Lexington must show either that the payor had the ability to pay and refused, or that the recipient is entitled to enforcement. The court typically schedules contempt hearings within 21-60 days of filing. Lexington Circuit Court handles more complex contempt matters involving property liens or wage garnishment orders.
- File a motion for contempt with the Lexington Circuit Court or J&DR Court, depending on the original support order.
- Prepare a sworn affidavit detailing each missed payment, the amount owed, and any communication with the other party.
- Serve the motion and affidavit on the opposing party through sheriff service or private process server.
- Attend the show-cause hearing where the court determines whether contempt occurred.
- If contempt is found, the court may order wage garnishment, property liens, or a payment plan.
- For ongoing non-compliance, the court may impose escalating sanctions including jail time.
In Lexington, alimony contempt carries potential incarceration, fines, and court-ordered remedies for unpaid spousal support.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Contempt (Failure to Pay) | Civil | Up to 12 months (coercive) | None (but may owe arrearages) | None | Wage garnishment, property liens, payment plan ordered |
| Criminal Contempt (Willful Disobedience) | Criminal | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | None | Criminal record, potential jail time, 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 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 legislative achievement provides unique insight into how Virginia courts interpret alimony and contempt matters. The firm’s tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
In Lexington, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 14 total documented case results across all practice areas 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. These results include dismissals, reductions, and favorable settlements in family law matters.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Richmond location serves clients at Lexington courts (2 South Main Street), accessible via I-81 and I-64. An Alimony Contempt Lawyer Lexington near Lexington can help with spousal support enforcement. We serve the Lexington community. 24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (804)201-9009
By appointment only. 24/7 phone consultations.
Can I go to jail for not paying alimony in Lexington, Virginia?
Yes. Virginia courts can hold you in criminal contempt for willful non-payment of spousal support, which carries up to 12 months in jail. Civil contempt may also result in incarceration until you comply with the court order.
How do I enforce an alimony order in Lexington?
File a motion for contempt with the Lexington Circuit Court or J&DR Court. You must provide a detailed affidavit showing each missed payment. The court can order wage garnishment, property liens, or payment plans.
What is the difference between civil and criminal contempt for alimony?
Civil contempt is coercive — you can avoid jail by paying what you owe. Criminal contempt is punitive — it carries a fixed jail sentence and a criminal record. The court decides based on whether your non-payment was willful.
How long does a contempt hearing take in Lexington?
A contempt hearing in Lexington General District Court is typically scheduled within 21-60 days of filing the motion. The hearing itself usually lasts 30-60 minutes, depending on the complexity of the arrearages.
Can I modify my alimony order instead of facing contempt?
Yes. If your financial situation has changed, you can file a motion to modify spousal support under Va. Code § 20-107.3. This is often a better option than waiting for a contempt motion to be filed against you.
Last verified: April 2026. Information current as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.