A Post Divorce Enforcement Lawyer Arlington County handles violations of final divorce decrees, including unpaid spousal support, unallocated property, and custody breaches. Under Va. Code § 20-107.3, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 115 documented results in Arlington County. You can enforce your decree through contempt proceedings or wage garnishment.
What Is Post Divorce Enforcement in Arlington County?
Post divorce enforcement refers to the legal process of compelling compliance with a final divorce decree or property settlement agreement. In Arlington County, Virginia, the court retains jurisdiction to enforce its orders under Va. Code § 20-107.3 (equitable distribution) and § 20-107.1 (spousal support). When one party fails to pay support, transfer property, or follow custody orders, the other party can file a motion for contempt or a motion to enforce. The Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, has handled numerous enforcement actions in Arlington County Circuit Court. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, giving the firm unique insight into equitable distribution enforcement.
Last verified: April 2026 | Arlington County General District Court | Va. Code § 20-107.3 (official Virginia General Assembly)
Post Divorce Enforcement Under Virginia Law
Post divorce enforcement actions in Arlington County are governed by Va. Code § 20-107.3 for property division enforcement and Va. Code § 20-107.1 for spousal support enforcement. Unlike initial divorce proceedings, enforcement actions do not require a new separation period. The court can use contempt powers, wage garnishment, and property liens to compel compliance. A Post Divorce Enforcement Lawyer Arlington County can file a show cause motion to bring the non-compliant party before the court.
For the official statute governing post divorce enforcement in Virginia, see Va. Code § 20-107.3 (equitable distribution enforcement). For Arlington County Circuit Court procedures, visit the Arlington County General District Court website.
Insider Procedural Edge: Enforcing Your Decree in Arlington County
In Arlington County Circuit Court, enforcement motions are set for hearing within 21-60 days. The court takes non-compliance seriously.
Arlington County judges routinely issue show cause orders for unpaid support or un-transferred property.
- Step 1: Document the Violation. Gather all evidence of non-compliance — bank statements showing missed payments, emails refusing property transfer, or custody logs.
- Step 2: File a Show Cause Motion. Your attorney files a motion at Arlington County Circuit Court (1425 N. Courthouse Rd, Suite 2400). Filing fee is approximately $86.
- Step 3: Serve the Other Party. Sheriff service costs about $12; private process server costs $50-$100. The other party must receive notice at least 21 days before the hearing.
- Step 4: Attend the Hearing. The court will hear evidence and determine whether the other party is in contempt. If found in contempt, the court can impose fines, jail time, or order wage garnishment.
- Step 5: Obtain a Wage Garnishment Order. For unpaid support, the court can issue a wage garnishment order directly to the employer. This is the fastest way to collect ongoing support.
- Step 6: File a Property Lien. For un-transferred property, your attorney can file a judgment lien against the other party’s real estate to secure payment.
In Arlington County, post divorce enforcement violations can result in contempt findings with serious consequences including jail time and fines.
| Violation Type | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Failure to pay spousal support | Civil contempt | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | None | Wage garnishment, property lien |
| Failure to transfer property | Civil contempt | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | None | Court-ordered sale, judgment lien |
| Violation of custody order | Civil contempt | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | None | Custody modification, make-up parenting time |
| Failure to pay child support | Civil contempt | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | Driver’s license suspension | Wage garnishment, tax refund intercept |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Why Choose Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. for Post Divorce Enforcement in Arlington County?
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. The 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 personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute that governs property division enforcement in Virginia. This means your Post Divorce Enforcement Lawyer Arlington County has direct experience with the statute you need to enforce. The firm’s tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
Case Results in Arlington County
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 115 total documented case results across all practice areas in Arlington County, with a 100% favorable outcome rate. These results include enforcement actions where the firm successfully compelled compliance with final decrees.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our 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 is near the Arlington County Courthouse (1425 N. Courthouse Rd), accessible via I-395 and Route 50. We serve clients in Arlington, Crystal City, Rosslyn, Clarendon, Ballston, Pentagon City, and Shirlington.
Looking for a Post Divorce Enforcement Lawyer Arlington County near you? We are located minutes from the Courthouse metro station.
Frequently Asked Questions About Post Divorce Enforcement in Arlington County
Can I enforce a final decree from another state in Arlington County?
Yes. Virginia courts can enforce foreign divorce decrees under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) for support orders and the Full Faith and Credit Clause for property division. Your Post Divorce Enforcement Lawyer Arlington County must domesticate the foreign decree in Arlington County Circuit Court before enforcement.
How long does a post divorce enforcement action take in Arlington County?
It depends. A show cause hearing is typically set within 21-60 days of filing the motion. If the other party contests the enforcement, the process can take 3-6 months. Uncontested enforcement with a signed agreement can resolve in 30-45 days.
What happens if my ex-spouse refuses to pay court-ordered spousal support?
Yes, the court can hold them in contempt. Consequences include fines up to $2,500, jail time up to 12 months, wage garnishment, and property liens. Your Post Divorce Enforcement Lawyer Arlington County can file a show cause motion immediately.
Can I enforce a property division order from my divorce?
Yes. Under Va. Code § 20-107.3, the court retains jurisdiction to enforce property division orders. If your ex-spouse refuses to transfer real estate, retirement accounts, or other assets, the court can order a forced sale or impose a judgment lien.
What is the difference between civil contempt and criminal contempt in enforcement?
Civil contempt is used to compel compliance — the non-compliant party can avoid jail by complying. Criminal contempt punishes past violations with fixed jail time. Arlington County Circuit Court typically uses civil contempt for post divorce enforcement.
Do I need a lawyer to enforce my divorce decree in Arlington County?
Yes. Enforcement actions involve complex procedural rules, including proper service, evidence presentation, and legal arguments about contempt. A Post Divorce Enforcement Lawyer Arlington County can handle these requirements and maximize your chances of success.
Last verified: April 2026. Information current as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for updated guidance.