What Happens If I Don’t Have The Means To Pay Alimony?
If you made an agreement to pay your former spouse alimony, you have to honor it. If you cannot pay alimony as agreed, you have to address it as soon as possible. You cannot ignore the issue or hope that no one notices that you have fallen months behind on your obligation. Our Chatham alimony attorneys can help you figure out what to do so that you do not end up on the wrong side of a family court hearing.
Can I Be Punished When I Don’t Pay Alimony?
Yes. Family court judges tend to have issues with people who agree to pay alimony and then suddenly decide to stop paying it. Your former spouse would be within their rights to bring you to court. When they do that, you could be held in contempt of court. You could also be ordered to pay fines and interest along with the alimony you owe. In some cases, the court can punish you with:
- Wage garnishments
- Liens against property or assets
- Suspension of your driver’s license
- Jail time
A prison stay is often the last resort. After all, it’s tough to get alimony out of someone while they are in jail. You should know that this punishment is on the table though.
What Should I Do If I Can’t Pay Alimony?
Once you realize that you cannot pay alimony as agreed, you need to reach out to your former spouse. If you are on speaking terms, you might be able to work out some kind of deal. If not, then your attorneys should talk to each other.
The bottom line is that you must inform your ex that the alimony payment that they are expecting is not going to come. Otherwise they can bring you to court and cause all kinds of legal troubles for you, like the ones outlined above.
Can My Payment Schedule Be Adjusted?
In some cases, your alimony payment schedule can be adjusted if you are struggling to pay. You would have to give the court a good excuse and show proof to back it up though.
A medical emergency and the bills to prove it can sometimes be enough reason to change an alimony plan, at least in the short term. The loss of a job can also be a good reason to change your original alimony plan, but you will probably need to show proof that you are actively looking for a job too.
Contact Our Law Firm Today
So if you are struggling to pay alimony, you don’t have any time to mess around. You must address this right away and hope for a modification to your payment schedule. Contact Lazor Rantas, PC and schedule a consultation. We can take a look at your situation and help you figure out the right steps to take.
