In New York’s family court, missing a single procedural step can mean the difference between having your voice heard and having your objections dismissed outright. This is especially true in child and spousal support matters, where orders for payment are legally binding and strictly enforced. When a party fails to pay what they owe, the consequences can include steep judgments, wage garnishments, and even incarceration. However, those consequences can be difficult to challenge if the proper procedures are not followed, as illustrated in a recent New York decision. If you want to enforce or challenge a support order in New York, it is vital to work with an experienced family law attorney who can ensure your rights are protected at every step.
History of the Case
It is reported that the parties were divorced by a judgment entered in 2016, which directed the father to pay both child support and spousal support to the mother retroactively to mid-2011. Several years later, the mother initiated a violation proceeding under Article 4 of the Family Court Act, alleging that the father had failed to meet his support obligations for a significant period of time. Specifically, she sought enforcement of unpaid support accruing from June 24, 2011, through February 1, 2019.
Allegedly, after a full hearing, the Support Magistrate found that the father had willfully violated the existing support order and issued a directive for a monetary judgment. The judgment entered in favor of the mother totaled $85,769.35 in unpaid support. Continue reading