Skilled Order Enforcement Attorneys in Santa Monica, California

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At Fernandez & Karney, our dedicated Santa Monica family law attorneys know that getting divorced in California is often a long, arduous journey from the moment you decide to get divorced through its finalization. No matter how long it takes, the end agreement is designed to be legally enforceable.

The question becomes, what happens when one party doesn’t uphold their end of the court order? We have answers. In family law cases, several legal actions can be taken to enforce compliance and protect our clients’ rights. We can help.

With knowledgeable attorneys boasting over 120 years of combined legal experience, we are highly experienced in dealing with every aspect of court order enforcement, giving you the confidence that your case is in capable hands. Our unique approach to each case sets us apart, tailored to your specific needs and circumstances.

Meet with one of our skilled family law order enforcement attorneys in Santa Monica during a confidential consultation today to learn more about our approach to family law cases. Fernandez & Karney is a full-service family law firm that can assist you with any family law matter, regardless of its complexity.

What Types of California Court Order Enforcement Cases

What Types of California Court Order Enforcement Cases Do Fernandez & Karney Handle?

Our skilled Santa Monica order enforcement attorneys represent clients throughout California who face difficulties in ensuring compliance with court orders related to family law matters.

That includes cases involving:

Property Division

  • Failure to Transfer Assets: If an ex-spouse fails to transfer assets, such as real estate, vehicles, or other property, as ordered in the divorce decree, we can assist in enforcing the property division order.
  • Hiding Assets: If one spouse hides or fails to disclose assets to be divided, our attorneys can help uncover these assets and enforce the division order.

Child Custody and Visitation

  • Violation of Custody Arrangements: When a parent violates the terms of the custody agreement, such as not returning the child on time or taking the child without permission, we can help enforce the custody order.
  • Denied Visitation: If one parent is denying the other parent court-ordered visitation or custody time, our lawyers can take steps to enforce the visitation order.

Child Support

  • Non-Payment: When the non-custodial parent fails to make required child support payments, we can help enforce the order to ensure the payments are made.
  • Partial Payments: If the non-custodial parent makes only partial or irregular payments, our family law attorneys in Santa Monica can legally enforce the total amount due.

Spousal Support

  • Non-Compliance: When an ex-spouse fails to pay court-ordered spousal support, we can enforce the order to collect the unpaid amounts.
  • Modification Attempts: If the paying spouse attempts to modify the support order without court approval, our attorneys can help contest these attempts and enforce the original order.

Domestic Violence Restraining Orders

  • Modification or Extension: Our attorneys can assist with this process if a restraining order needs to be modified or extended due to ongoing threats or violations.
  • Violations of Restraining Orders: If the restrained party violates the terms of a restraining order, we can assist in enforcing the order and taking legal action to ensure the safety of the protected party.

Relocation Orders

  • Enforcing Relocation Terms: Ensuring that all terms and conditions of a court-approved relocation are followed, including visitation arrangements and transportation responsibilities.
  • Unauthorized Moves: If one parent relocates with the child without court approval, violating a custody or visitation order, we can help enforce the relocation order and address the unauthorized move.

Our Santa Monica order enforcement family law attorneys provide essential legal representation for individuals facing challenges enforcing court orders and can provide the legal experience and advocacy needed to ensure compliance and protect your legal rights. Contact us today to learn more.

What Legal Remedies Are Available for Court Order Enforcement Cases in California?

At Fernandez & Karney, our skilled order enforcement attorneys in Santa Monica pursue customized legal strategies that allow our clients to achieve the best outcome for their unique family law cases and circumstances.

Depending on the type of court order, that may include:

  • Filing for Contempt: When one party fails to comply with a court order, we can file a motion for contempt of court on our client’s behalf. Contempt of court occurs when a person willfully disobeys a court order. The court will schedule a hearing at which the non-compliant party must explain why they failed to follow the order. If found in contempt, they may face fines, wage garnishment, or even jail time.
  • Wage Garnishment: The court can order the non-compliant parent’s wages to be garnished directly from their employer to ensure child support payments are made.
  • Intercepting Tax Refunds: The state can intercept federal and state tax refunds to cover unpaid child support.
  • Revoking Licenses: Professional, driver’s, and recreational licenses can be suspended or revoked for failing to pay child support.
  • Property Liens: The court can levy the non-compliant parent’s property to secure overdue child support payment.
  • Bank Levies: The court can order the seizure of funds from the non-compliant parent’s bank accounts.
  • Income Withholding: Like child support, the court can order income withholding directly from the paying spouse’s wages when they do not comply with spousal support orders.
  • Modification of Custody Orders: The court can modify custody orders if one parent repeatedly fails to comply, potentially reducing their custody or visitation rights.
  • Make-Up Visitation: The court may order make-up visitation time if one parent denies the other their scheduled visitation.
  • Counseling: The court may order the non-compliant party to attend counseling or parenting classes to address underlying issues contributing to non-compliance.
  • Educational Programs: If a parent is non-compliant with visitation or custody orders, the court might require the parent to attend educational programs related to co-parenting and conflict resolution.
  • Court Orders: The court can issue additional orders to enforce the division of property, such as ordering the sale of assets or the transfer of titles.
  • Police Involvement: Violations of restraining orders can be reported to the police, leading to immediate arrest and possible criminal charges.

The non-compliant party may be ordered to pay our attorney’s fees and court costs incurred in seeking to enforce the court order. In addition, the court may impose additional sanctions or fines on the non-compliant party to deter future non-compliance and schedule regular reviews to monitor compliance with its orders, ensuring ongoing adherence.

Working with our experienced family law attorneys is crucial to navigate these processes effectively and secure the enforcement of court orders.

WE ALSO FOCUS ON THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN SANTA MONICA:

Contact Our Experienced Santa Monica Family Law Order Enforcement Attorneys

If you face challenges enforcing a court order independently, speak with a dedicated family law attorney in Santa Monica at Fernandez & Karney as soon as possible. Our law firm founder and managing partner Steven Fernandez is a Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization.

Do not allow your legal burdens to weigh you down. Let Fernandez & Karney shoulder your concerns and legal issues so you can confidently move forward.