Let our Fort Lauderdale court order enforcement attorneys use their trial-tested experience to help you get what you’re owed
If your ex isn’t following a court order in Florida, it can feel like you’re stuck with no way forward. Whether they’re not making alimony or child support payments, ignoring your time-sharing schedule, refusing to transfer property after a divorce, or violating a restraining order, these actions aren’t just frustrating—they’re serious legal violations.
At Shemtov Hillstrom, we take enforcement and contempt matters seriously. Our Fort Lauderdale family law attorneys understand how stressful it can be when someone refuses to follow a court order, and we know what it takes to get results.
As former prosecutors, Tal Shemtov and Carter Hillstrom are skilled at gathering the right evidence, presenting strong cases in court, and pushing for compliance through legal remedies such as wage garnishment, property liens, license suspension, or even incarceration when all else fails.
Whether your case involves unpaid support, denied parenting time, or a restraining order violation, our experienced Fort Lauderdale contempt and enforcement attorneys are ready to help you protect your rights and make sure court orders are enforced.
Following a court order isn’t optional.
Let Shemtov Hillstrom help you take action and protect what’s yours.
Trusted legal support in Fort Lauderdale
I can’t say enough great things about Shemtov Hillstrom, Trial Lawyers! Their team was incredibly warm, attentive, and fought tirelessly for my case. They made me feel like family, keeping me updated and confident throughout. Their expertise turned a stressful situation into a smooth victory. Absolutely thrilled with their service and would recommend them to everyone!
Highly recommend! Tal and Carter are incredibly professional, sharp, and dedicated. They stay on top of everything, working around the clock with a level of commitment that’s hard to find. In an industry where genuine care can be rare, they truly work from the heart.
Great firm! I referred a client to Tal and they had an excellent experience. They praised Shemtov and Hillstrom for their professionalism, expertise, and dedication to achieving the best outcome. Highly recommend them if you want a family attorney who cares about their clients!
Why turn to Shemtov Hillstrom for help enforcing court orders in Fort Lauderdale?
A strategy built around your situation
Every enforcement case is different. Maybe your ex stopped paying support, denied visitation, or ignored a property transfer order. Whatever the issue, we’ll build a strategy focused on your goals—whether that means getting payments resumed, recovering what’s owed, or restoring your parenting time. Our priority is protecting your rights and ensuring court orders are followed as intended.
Firm advocacy—ready for court when needed
We aim to resolve enforcement issues efficiently through communication and negotiation when possible. But if the other party refuses to comply, we’re fully prepared to take your case before a judge. With backgrounds as former prosecutors, our team knows how to gather evidence, present strong cases, and pursue contempt actions when needed to make sure court orders are respected.
Trusted, compassionate counsel you can rely on
Contempt and enforcement cases often arise during emotionally charged times. We approach every situation with the discretion, empathy, and professionalism you deserve. Whether you’re dealing with unpaid support, parenting plan violations, or other breaches of court orders, you can count on Shemtov Hillstrom to guide you through the process and help you regain peace of mind. For clients in the Jewish community, we also provide Jewish family law services that respect your faith and traditions while ensuring your rights are fully protected.
FAQs about contempt and enforcement laws in Fort Lauderdale
When one parent refuses to follow a court order—such as denying time-sharing, withholding child support, or ignoring alimony obligations—the court takes it seriously.
Florida family courts have several tools to address noncompliance, ranging from makeup parenting time to fines, wage garnishment, or even jail time in severe cases.
If you’re on the receiving end of these violations, you can file a motion to ask the court to enforce the existing order. The judge will review the evidence, determine whether the other party intentionally violated the order, and decide what corrective action to take.
Because the stakes are so high in these cases, it’s highly recommended that you seek help from a Fort Lauderdale family law attorney with experience in alimony and child support cases in Florida to ensure your motion is filed correctly, your evidence is presented clearly, and your rights are fully protected.
Yes. In Florida, failing to pay court-ordered child support or, in some cases, alimony can lead to the suspension of not only a driver’s license but also a business, professional, and recreational license.
The state uses license suspension as a way to pressure non-paying parents or spouses to comply with support orders. Here’s how it works:
- If you fall behind on payments, the Florida Department of Revenue (or sometimes the court) will send a notice of delinquency.
- You typically have 20-30 days (depending on the type of license being suspended) to pay the overdue amount, set up a payment plan, or request a hearing to challenge the notice.
- If you don’t respond or resolve the issue, your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and even professional or recreational licenses can be suspended.
Once payments are made or a payment plan is approved, driving privileges can be reinstated.
Yes, but only under certain circumstances. In Florida, you can be jailed if a judge finds that you willfully failed to pay alimony or child support—that is, you had the ability to pay but chose not to.
The goal isn’t to punish someone for being unable to pay but rather to compel payment when they have the means and simply refuse.
If the other party files a motion for contempt with the court, a judge will review your finances at a hearing to determine whether the nonpayment was intentional. If the court finds you in contempt, you can be ordered to pay what’s owed or face jail time until you comply (up to a certain limit).
While courts generally try to give people a chance to correct the problem before ordering incarceration, persistent nonpayment can lead to serious consequences—including jail.
“Incarceration with a purge” means the judge has ordered you to go to jail until you pay a specific amount, known as the purge amount. The purge amount is usually what the court believes you can afford to pay right away toward your overdue support.
For example:
- The court might sentence someone to 30 days in jail for contempt but set a $1,000 purge.
- If the person pays that $1,000 (either before being taken into custody or while in jail), they’re released immediately.
The purpose of a purge is to motivate payment—not to punish. It’s meant to get overdue support to the person who’s owed it, while giving the paying party a clear way to end their incarceration by complying with the court’s order.
If your ex isn’t following a court order in Florida, you can ask the court to step in by filing a motion for enforcement or contempt. These let the judge know someone isn’t following the rules and ask the court to take action.
Here’s what you need to do:
- File a motion. You should begin by filling out Form 12.960, Motion for Civil Contempt/Enforcement, explaining how the order was violated and what you’re asking the court to do about it. You’ll then need to file it with the clerk of the circuit court in the same county where your case was originally handled. Be sure to keep a copy for your records.
- Gather solid evidence. Next, start collecting documentation that proves the violation occurred. This might include missed payment records, text or email messages showing refusal to cooperate, bank statements, or notes from missed time-sharing exchanges. The stronger your evidence, the easier it is for the judge to see that the order was ignored.
- Attend a hearing. At the hearing, both sides have the opportunity to explain what happened. The judge will review the evidence, determine whether the violation was willful, and decide what action to take—such as ordering payment of overdue support, granting makeup parenting time, or imposing fines or other penalties.
Having legal help can make a big difference. An experienced Fort Lauderdale contempt and enforcement attorney can help you gather the right evidence, file the correct paperwork, and present your case clearly.
They also know how to push for meaningful outcomes like wage garnishment, payment plans, or makeup parenting time so your ex can’t continue to ignore the court’s order without facing real consequences.
Need help enforcing an order for child support, alimony, or another family law matter in Fort Lauderdale?
If someone in your life is refusing to follow a family court order, you deserve a legal team that knows how to take swift, effective action.
At Shemtov Hillstrom, our experienced Fort Lauderdale family law attorneys have trial-tested experience bringing contempt of court petitions and are skilled in the procedural rules that will allow you to hold your former spouse accountable for non-compliance.
Tal Shemtov’s background as a former Broward County prosecutor and Carter Hillstrom’s record of more than 90 jury trials and 1,000 bench trials mean you’re working with seasoned litigators who understand both the courtroom and the strategy behind it.
Contact Shemtov Hillstrom today to schedule a free consultation, and let us help you take back control and get what you’re entitled to under Florida law.