Alimony Enforcement Lawyer Alexandria — How to Collect Unpaid Spousal Support

If your former spouse has stopped paying court-ordered alimony, you need an alimony enforcement lawyer in Alexandria. Unpaid spousal support can create severe financial hardship. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has extensive experience enforcing alimony orders in Alexandria Circuit Court under Va. Code § 20-107.1.

Last verified: April 2026 | Alexandria Circuit Court | Virginia General Assembly

Enforcing a Spousal Support Order in Virginia

Spousal support, or alimony, is a court-ordered payment from one former spouse to the other, established during a divorce or separate maintenance proceeding under Virginia law. When the paying spouse fails to comply, the order does not enforce itself. You must take legal action. An alimony enforcement lawyer in Alexandria initiates this process by filing an enforcement motion in the same court that issued the original order, typically Alexandria Circuit Court. The primary statutory authority for enforcement is found in Va. Code § 20-107.1, which outlines the factors for awarding support and the court’s continuing jurisdiction to modify or enforce its orders.

Legal Tools for Alimony Enforcement

The court has several powerful remedies to compel compliance with a spousal support order. As your unpaid spousal support lawyer in Alexandria, we will evaluate your case and pursue the most effective strategies.

Rule to Show Cause (Contempt): This is the primary enforcement tool. The court orders the non-paying spouse to appear and “show cause” why they should not be held in contempt for violating the court order. If found in willful contempt, the court can impose fines, attorney’s fees, and even jail time until the arrears are paid.
Income Deduction Order (Wage Garnishment): The court can order the payor’s employer to deduct support payments directly from their wages, similar to child support withholding.
Judgment Lien: The unpaid alimony becomes a judgment against the payor. This judgment can be docketed with the court, creating a lien on their real estate or personal property in Virginia.
Intercept of Tax Refunds & Other Payments: State and federal tax refunds, lottery winnings, and other payments due to the payor can be intercepted to satisfy past-due support.
Suspension of Licenses: The court can petition to have the payor’s driver’s, professional, and recreational licenses suspended for non-payment.

To understand the specific procedures, you can review resources from the Virginia court system.

Gather all documents: the final divorce decree or support order, bank statements, and a log of all missed payments.
Consult with an alimony enforcement lawyer in Alexandria to review your case and the total arrears.
Your lawyer drafts and files a Motion for Rule to Show Cause in Alexandria Circuit Court.
The court schedules a hearing and serves the motion on your former spouse.
Attend the contempt hearing where your lawyer presents evidence of the violation.
The judge issues an order for payment, garnishment, or other enforcement remedy.

Why Choose Our Firm for Alimony Enforcement

Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. With over 120 years of combined attorney experience, our firm has a documented record of firm-wide 4,739+ case results. Our tagline, “Advocacy Without Borders,” reflects our commitment to vigorous representation. In family law matters, a key point of authority is that Mr. Sris personally amended Virginia’s equitable distribution statute, Va. Code § 20-107.3, demonstrating deep involvement in the development of state family law.

Samantha Rae Powers, Associate Attorney at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Licensed in VA, FL. Experienced family law and civil litigator. View Samantha Rae Powers’s Profile

Case Results in Alexandria

Our firm actively practices in Alexandria courts. While results are always case-specific, our approach is case-specific to secure enforcement. For example, our team, including attorney Matthew Greene who has over 30 years of experience and a former 14-year CPS contract in Alexandria, has successfully litigated complex family law motions.

Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

1655 Fort Myer Dr Suite 700, Arlington, VA 22209, United States

Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Arlington Location
1655 Fort Myer Dr, Suite 700, Room No. 719, Arlington, VA 22209
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: 703-589-9250
By appointment only. 24/7 phone consultations.

Our Arlington location serves clients in Alexandria and is accessible for meetings regarding Alexandria Circuit Court matters. We represent clients from Alexandria, Old Town, Del Ray, and Kingstowne. If you need an alimony enforcement lawyer near Alexandria, contact us for a consultation.

Alimony Enforcement FAQs for Alexandria, VA

What is the first step to enforce unpaid alimony in Alexandria?

The first step is to contact an alimony enforcement lawyer in Alexandria. They will review your court order and payment history to file a Motion for Rule to Show Cause in Alexandria Circuit Court, initiating contempt proceedings against the non-paying spouse.

Can my ex-spouse go to jail for not paying alimony in Virginia?

Yes. If the court finds the non-payment was willful, the judge can hold them in contempt, which may include a jail sentence until the overdue support (arrearage) is paid. This is a primary tool an unpaid spousal support lawyer in Alexandria uses to enforce orders.

How far behind can alimony payments get before I take action?

It depends, but you should not wait. Each missed payment accrues as a debt. The longer you wait, the larger the arrearage grows and the harder it may be to collect. Consulting an alimony enforcement lawyer in Alexandria after the first missed payment is advisable to protect your rights.

What if my ex-spouse moves out of Virginia?

An alimony enforcement lawyer in Alexandria can still help. Virginia can maintain jurisdiction to enforce the order. We can also domesticate the Virginia order in the new state under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) to allow enforcement there.

Can I get my ex-spouse to pay my attorney’s fees for enforcement?

Yes. Virginia law allows the court to order the spouse found in contempt for non-payment to pay the other spouse’s reasonable attorney’s fees and costs incurred in the enforcement action.

For more information on related legal issues, see our pages on family law in Arlington or criminal defense in Alexandria. Return to our Virginia family law hub.

Last verified: April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.