Alimony Contempt Lawyer Bedford County — What Are Your Options for Unpaid Support?
If your former spouse has stopped paying court-ordered spousal support, an Alimony Contempt Lawyer Bedford County can file a show-cause motion at the Bedford County Circuit Court under Va. Code § 20-107.1. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 31 documented case results in Bedford County. You have legal options to enforce your support order.
Last verified: April 2026 | Bedford County General District Court | Va. Code § 20-107.1 (official Virginia General Assembly)
Virginia law defines spousal support (alimony) under Va. Code § 20-107.1, which gives the court authority to order periodic payments from one spouse to another after separation or divorce. When a spouse willfully fails to make these court-ordered payments, they may be held in contempt of court. Contempt proceedings allow the court to enforce its orders through sanctions, including wage garnishment, property liens, or even jail time. The Bedford County Circuit Court has jurisdiction over spousal support enforcement matters. Mr. Sris, founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3 (equitable distribution statute) and has deep familiarity with Virginia family law enforcement mechanisms.
For the official statute governing spousal support in Virginia, see Va. Code § 20-107.1 (official Virginia General Assembly). For Bedford County Circuit Court procedures, visit the Bedford County General District Court website.
- Document all missed or partial payments with dates and amounts.
- File a show-cause motion at the Bedford County Circuit Court, 123 East Main Street, Suite 202.
- Serve the motion on your former spouse through the sheriff’s office or private process server.
- Attend the contempt hearing and present your evidence of non-payment.
- Request enforcement remedies such as wage garnishment or income withholding.
- If the court finds contempt, ask for attorney’s fees and costs as part of the order.
In Bedford County, contempt for unpaid spousal support can result in jail time, fines, and wage garnishment under Va. Code § 20-107.1.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willful non-payment of spousal support | Civil contempt | Up to 12 months (coercive) | Up to $2,500 | None directly | Wage garnishment, property liens, credit damage |
| Repeated non-payment after court order | Criminal contempt | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | None directly | Jail time, loss of professional license |
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 across Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington D.C. with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, Virginia’s equitable distribution statute, demonstrating deep experience in family law enforcement matters. The firm’s tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
Mr. Sris, founder and managing attorney, also oversees family law matters at the firm. He is a former prosecutor with bar admissions in Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington D.C.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 31 total documented case results across all practice areas in Bedford County, with a 100% favorable outcome rate. Firm-wide, the firm has 4,739+ documented case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate across Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington D.C.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Shenandoah/Woodstock location serves clients at Bedford County courts (123 East Main Street, Suite 202, Bedford, VA 24523). The location is accessible via Route 460, Route 122, Route 221, and Route 24.
We serve the communities of Bedford, Forest, Smith Mountain Lake, and Moneta.
If you need a spousal support violation lawyer Bedford County or a contempt for unpaid alimony lawyer Bedford County, we are here to help.
24/7 phone consultations — Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (888) 437-7747
By appointment only.
How do I file a contempt motion for unpaid alimony in Bedford County?
Yes. You file a show-cause motion at the Bedford County Circuit Court, 123 East Main Street, Suite 202. The filing fee is approximately $86. You must serve the motion on your former spouse through the sheriff’s office or a private process server.
Can I go to jail for not paying alimony in Virginia?
Yes. Willful non-payment of court-ordered spousal support can result in civil contempt with coercive jail time up to 12 months. Criminal contempt carries up to 12 months incarceration and fines up to $2,500 under Va. Code § 20-107.1.
How long does an alimony contempt case take in Bedford County?
It depends. A show-cause hearing is typically set within 21-60 days of filing the motion. Contested cases with evidence disputes can take 3-6 months. The court may issue temporary enforcement orders at the first hearing.
What evidence do I need for an alimony contempt hearing?
You need bank statements showing missed payments, the original support order, payment records, communication records with your former spouse, and any proof of their ability to pay. Bring three copies of all documents to court.
Can a Bedford County lawyer help with back alimony collection?
Yes. An Alimony Contempt Lawyer Bedford County can file enforcement motions, request wage garnishment, seek income withholding orders, and ask the court to hold the non-paying spouse in contempt. The court can also order payment of your attorney’s fees.
Is Virginia a community property state for alimony purposes?
No. Virginia is an equitable distribution state. Spousal support is determined under Va. Code § 20-107.1 based on 13 statutory factors. The court considers each spouse’s needs, earning capacity, and the marriage duration when setting support amounts.
For more information, see our Virginia Family Law Lawyer hub page. You may also want to review Shenandoah County Family Law Lawyer or Frederick County Family Law Lawyer. For related practice areas in Bedford County, see our Criminal Defense Lawyer Bedford County page.
Last verified: April 2026. Information current as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.