If your former spouse has stopped paying court-ordered spousal support in Virginia Beach, an Alimony Contempt Lawyer Virginia Beach from Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. can file a show-cause motion under Va. Code § 20-107.1. With 8 documented local results, we enforce or defend contempt actions at the Virginia Beach Circuit Court.
Last verified: April 2026 | Virginia Beach General District Court | Va. Code § 20-107.1 (official Virginia General Assembly)
Under Virginia law, spousal support (alimony) is governed by Va. Code § 20-107.1. When a payor spouse willfully fails to make court-ordered payments, the recipient can file a motion for contempt. The Virginia Beach Circuit Court has authority to enforce support orders through wage garnishment, property liens, or incarceration for willful noncompliance. The statute lists 13 factors the court considers when determining support amounts and modifications. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, has handled these enforcement actions across Virginia Beach courts.
For the full text of Virginia’s spousal support statute, see Va. Code § 20-107.1 (official Virginia General Assembly). For Virginia Beach Circuit Court procedures, visit the Virginia Beach General District Court website.
In Virginia Beach Circuit Court, judges require clear evidence of willful nonpayment before holding a party in contempt. The court typically sets a show-cause hearing within 30-60 days of filing.
- Document the Violation: Gather bank statements, payment records, and any communication showing missed or partial payments.
- File a Show-Cause Motion: Your attorney files a motion at the Virginia Beach Circuit Court (2425 Nimmo Parkway, Bldg 10B) requesting the court to order the payor to show why they should not be held in contempt.
- Attend the Pre-Hearing Conference: The court may schedule a conference to discuss payment options and potential resolution before a formal hearing.
- Present Evidence at Hearing: If no resolution is reached, the court holds a hearing where both parties present evidence of willful nonpayment or valid defenses.
- Court Orders Enforcement: If contempt is found, the court may order wage garnishment, property liens, or other enforcement measures.
- Post-Judgment Compliance: Your attorney monitors compliance and can file additional motions if payments remain irregular.
In Virginia Beach, alimony contempt carries potential incarceration for willful nonpayment, with fines and enforcement costs added.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willful Failure to Pay Spousal Support | Civil Contempt | Up to 12 months (remedial) | Up to $2,500 | None directly | Wage garnishment, property liens, attorney fees awarded |
| Criminal Contempt (flagrant violation) | Criminal Contempt | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | None directly | Criminal record, potential jail time, restitution |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has been representing clients in Virginia Beach since 1997. Our 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. Mr. Sris, our founder and former prosecutor, personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3 (equitable distribution statute), demonstrating deep knowledge of Virginia family law. Our Virginia Beach family law team includes Samantha Rae Powers, who brings 18+ years of experience and a J.D./M.A. from University of Florida, along with a Ph.D. in Communication from UCSB. We handle alimony contempt, enforcement, and modification cases at the Virginia Beach Circuit Court.
Our secondary attorney, Mr. Sris (Owner & CEO), founded the firm in 1997 and personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3. He provides strategic oversight on complex alimony contempt cases involving significant assets or multi-state enforcement issues.
In Virginia Beach, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 8 total documented case results across all practice areas, with a 100% favorable outcome rate. Firm-wide, we have achieved 4,739+ case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate across Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington D.C.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Richmond location serves clients at the Virginia Beach courts (2425 Nimmo Parkway), accessible via I-264, I-64, and Route 44 (VA Beach Expressway).
Looking for an alimony contempt lawyer near Virginia Beach? We serve Virginia Beach, Sandbridge, and Oceana.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Richmond Location
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 Virginia Beach?
Yes. If the court finds your nonpayment was willful, you can be held in civil contempt and incarcerated for up to 12 months. The court must find you had the ability to pay and chose not to.
How do I enforce an alimony order in Virginia Beach?
File a show-cause motion at the Virginia Beach Circuit Court. Your attorney presents evidence of missed payments. The court can order wage garnishment, property liens, or contempt proceedings against the nonpaying spouse.
What is the difference between civil and criminal contempt for alimony?
Civil contempt is remedial — you can avoid jail by paying what you owe. Criminal contempt is punitive and requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt of willful violation. Criminal contempt carries a criminal record.
Can alimony be modified if I lose my job in Virginia Beach?
Yes. File a motion to modify support under Va. Code § 20-107.1. You must show a material change in circumstances, such as job loss or reduced income. The court may temporarily reduce or suspend payments.
How long does an alimony contempt case take in Virginia Beach?
A show-cause hearing is typically set within 30-60 days of filing. Contested cases with multiple hearings can take 3-6 months. The court may order temporary enforcement measures during the process.
What evidence do I need for an alimony contempt case?
Bank statements showing missed payments, text messages or emails about nonpayment, pay stubs showing the payor’s income, and the original court order. Your attorney will help you organize this evidence.
For more information about our family law services in Virginia, visit our Virginia Family Law Lawyer hub page.
We also serve neighboring localities: Henrico County Family Law Lawyer and Chesterfield County Family Law Lawyer.
If you need representation in other practice areas in Virginia Beach, see our Virginia Beach Criminal Defense Lawyer or Virginia Beach DUI Lawyer pages.
Learn more about our team: Samantha Rae Powers — Family Law Attorney.
Visit our Richmond Office location page for directions and appointment scheduling.
Last verified: April 2026. Information updated as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.