One important aspect often included in divorce agreements is alimony, which is the court-mandated payments from one spouse to another. If these payments aren’t satisfied, the recipient may take numerous steps to recover the unpaid funds, from accusing their ex-spouse of being in contempt of court, to requesting incarceration. To better understand what happens in these cases, consult the guide below. 

3 Penalties You Might Face If You Don’t Pay Alimony

1. Wage Garnishment

Wage garnishment may occur if you’ve fallen behind on your alimony payments, and the court no longer trusts you to submit the money on your own. In this case, the court may issue an order to your employer to withhold up to 25% of your net wages to repay the owed amount to your ex-spouse. The money will be automatically withdrawn from your paycheck before it is delivered to you. The funds will be given to your spouse until they have received the correct amount owed. 

2. Asset Seizure

In some extreme cases, the courts may seek non-traditional means to ensure your ex-spouse is paid the amount they are owed. In this instance, they might place an order to seize any personal assets of high value. These assets might include your home, car, jewelry, or antique items. 

3. Legal Consequences

In some cases, the court will find that a person had the ability to pay the alimony, and willfully did not do so. In those cases, the judge can order that the non-payor face legal consequences, such as vehicle license revocation or incarceration, until a cash bond is paid.  

If you’re considering filing for divorce, turn to The Law Office and Mediation Center of Jeannine M. Talbot in Torrington, CT. For over 20 years, this knowledgeable lawyer has helped residents with everything from alimony payments to child custody arrangements. Visit her website for more information on her services, and call (860) 482-9004 to schedule a consultation.