In Clarke County, a support contempt motion under Va. Code § 20-107.3 can lead to jail time or wage garnishment for unpaid child or spousal support. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 29 documented results in Clarke County. A Support Contempt Lawyer Clarke County builds your defense against enforcement actions.
Last verified: April 2026 | Clarke County General District Court | Va. Code § 20-107.3 (official Virginia General Assembly)
Support contempt in Virginia arises when a party fails to comply with a court order for child support or spousal support. Under Va. Code § 20-107.3, the court may hold the non-paying party in contempt of court, which can result in fines, wage garnishment, or incarceration. The statute provides for both civil and criminal contempt proceedings. Mr. Sris, founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., personally amended this equitable distribution statute, giving the firm unique insight into its enforcement mechanisms. A Support Contempt Lawyer Clarke County understands the procedural requirements for filing a contempt of court motion and defending against one.
For official court procedures, visit the Clarke County General District Court website. The Virginia General Assembly maintains the full text of Va. Code § 20-107.3 online.
In Clarke County, support contempt motions are filed in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court for child support matters. The court sets a show cause hearing where the alleged contemnor must explain the non-payment. Prosecutors in the Twenty-sixth Judicial District routinely seek wage garnishment as a first remedy before requesting jail time.
- File a show cause motion with the Clarke County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
- Serve the opposing party with the motion and summons at least 21 days before the hearing.
- Attend the show cause hearing at 104 North Church Street, Berryville, VA 22611.
- Present evidence of the support order violation and any arrearages.
- Respond to the court’s proposed remedy — payment plan, garnishment, or potential incarceration.
- Negotiate a purge amount or compliance plan to avoid further contempt findings.
In Clarke County, support contempt under Va. Code § 20-107.3 carries potential jail time of up to 12 months and fines up to $2,500 for each violation.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Contempt (Support) | Civil | Up to 12 months (purgeable) | Up to $2,500 | Driver’s license suspension possible | Wage garnishment, tax refund interception, passport denial |
| Criminal Contempt (Support) | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | Driver’s license suspension | Criminal record, employment consequences |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
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 with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute that governs support enforcement in Virginia. This direct legislative involvement provides a unique advantage when handling support contempt matters in Clarke County. The firm’s tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
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
In Clarke County, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 29 total documented case results across all practice areas with a 72% favorable outcome rate. Firm-wide, the firm has achieved 4,739+ case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate across Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and the District of Columbia.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Richmond location serves clients at the Clarke County courts (104 North Church Street, Berryville, VA 22611), accessible via Route 7, Route 340, and Route 50. A Support Contempt Lawyer Clarke County near Berryville and Boyce can help with your case. We serve the communities of Berryville and Boyce.
24/7 phone consultations — Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (804)201-9009 — meetings by appointment only.
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (804)201-9009
By appointment only.
Can I go to jail for not paying child support in Clarke County?
Yes. Under Va. Code § 20-107.3, a judge can order up to 12 months in jail for civil contempt if you willfully fail to pay support. A Support Contempt Lawyer Clarke County can help you avoid incarceration by negotiating a payment plan or purge amount.
How do I file a contempt of court motion for unpaid support in Clarke County?
You file a show cause motion at the Clarke County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court at 104 North Church Street, Berryville, VA 22611. The filing fee is approximately $86. You must serve the other party at least 21 days before the hearing.
What is the difference between civil and criminal contempt for support?
Civil contempt is coercive — you can avoid jail by paying the owed amount. Criminal contempt is punitive and results in a criminal record. Both can lead to incarceration, but a court order violation lawyer Clarke County can explain which applies to your situation.
How long does a support contempt case take in Clarke County?
It depends. A show cause hearing is typically set within 21-60 days of filing the motion. If the case is contested, it may take 3-6 months for a final resolution. An uncontested case with a payment plan can resolve in one hearing.
Can a support contempt order affect my driver’s license?
Yes. Virginia law allows the court to suspend your driver’s license for failure to pay child support. A Support Contempt Lawyer Clarke County can help you reinstate your license by demonstrating compliance or negotiating a payment plan with the court.