Enforcement
A court order is not a suggestion—it is a mandate. But a judgment is only as good as your ability to enforce it. If your former spouse or co-parent is ignoring the rules—whether by failing to pay child support, denying you court-ordered time with your children, or refusing to refinance a marital home—Blast Legal is here to compel compliance. We file Motions for Civil Contempt and Enforcement to ensure that your rights are respected. We don’t just ask nicely; we utilize the full power of the court, seeking remedies that can include wage garnishment, suspension of driver’s licenses, payment of your attorney’s fees, and even jail time for willful non-compliance. You played by the rules; we make sure they do too.
Enforcing Court Orders in Florida:
Contempt, Compliance, and Consequences
After the stress of a divorce or paternity case, you expect the Final Judgment to be the end of the battle. Unfortunately, for many, it is just the beginning of a new one. When one party refuses to follow the judge's orders, the other party has the right to seek Enforcement.
What qualifies for Enforcement? You can file a motion to enforce almost any provision of a family law order, including:
Financial Non-Payment: Failure to pay child support, alimony, or attorney fees.
Property Division: Refusing to turn over assets (like a vehicle or furniture) or failing to sell/refinance the marital home by a specific date.
Time-Sharing Violations: Consistently showing up late, cancelling visits at the last minute, or refusing to return the child.
Shared Decisions: Making major medical or educational decisions without consulting the other parent.
The "Willful" Standard
To hold someone in Contempt of Court, you generally must prove that their failure to comply was "willful."
For financial issues, this means proving they had the ability to pay but chose not to.
For time-sharing, it means proving they intentionally withheld the child without a valid safety reason.
Consequences of Contempt Florida judges have broad discretion to punish non-compliance and "purge" the contempt. Penalties can include:
Fines and Sanctions: Daily fines until compliance is met.
Make-Up Time-Sharing: If you missed time with your kids, the court can award you extra time to make up for it.
Attorney’s Fees: The court often orders the non-compliant party to pay your legal bills for having to bring the motion.
Incarceration: In severe financial cases, a judge can order jail time until a "purge” is paid.
License Suspension: For unpaid support, the state can suspend driver’s licenses and professional licenses.
If you are dealing with a non-compliant ex, documenting everything is key. Keep a calendar of missed visits and records of missed payments. Then, contact a lawyer. The court cannot help you enforce an order it doesn't know is being violated.