An Alimony Contempt Lawyer Roanoke County handles violations of spousal support orders under Va. Code § 20-107.1. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 34 documented case results in Roanoke County. You can file a show-cause motion at the Roanoke County General District Court to enforce payment.
What Is Alimony Contempt Under Virginia Law?
Alimony contempt occurs when a spouse willfully fails to pay court-ordered spousal support. Under Va. Code § 20-107.1, the court may hold the non-paying spouse in contempt for violating a support order. Contempt can be civil (coercive, to compel payment) or criminal (punitive, with jail time). The burden is on the moving party to show the violation was willful. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, has handled numerous contempt cases in Roanoke County.
Last verified: April 2026 | Roanoke County General District Court | Virginia General Assembly
For alimony contempt specifically, Va. Code § 20-107.1 governs spousal support awards and modifications. A contempt action for unpaid alimony requires proving the obligor had the ability to pay and willfully chose not to. This differs from general family law contempt under Va. Code § 20-107.3 (equitable distribution).
Key Legal Resources for Alimony Contempt in Roanoke County
- Va. Code § 20-107.1 (Spousal Support Factors) — Official Virginia General Assembly statute governing alimony awards and modifications.
- Roanoke County General District Court — Official court website for filing contempt motions and show-cause petitions.
Insider Procedural Edge: Filing Contempt in Roanoke County
Roanoke County General District Court handles alimony contempt through a show-cause process. You file a motion alleging willful non-payment. The court issues a summons for the respondent to appear.
Roanoke County judges require clear proof of the support order, the missed payments, and the obligor’s ability to pay. A spousal support violation lawyer Roanoke County can help gather pay stubs, bank records, and employment history to establish willfulness.
- Step 1: Gather evidence of the support order and missed payments — court orders, bank statements, and communication records.
- Step 2: File a show-cause motion at Roanoke County General District Court, 305 East Main Street, Salem, VA 24153.
- Step 3: Serve the respondent with the motion and summons through the sheriff’s office or a private process server.
- Step 4: Attend the show-cause hearing where the judge determines if the non-payment was willful.
- Step 5: If contempt is found, the court may order wage garnishment, lump-sum payment, or jail time as a last resort.
In Roanoke County, alimony contempt carries potential jail time up to 12 months and fines up to $2,500 for criminal contempt.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Contempt (Failure to Pay) | Civil | Up to 12 months (coercive) | None (but may owe arrears) | None | Wage garnishment, property liens, credit damage |
| Criminal Contempt (Willful Violation) | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | None | Criminal record, loss of professional license |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Why Choose Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. for Alimony Contempt in Roanoke County?
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 4,739+ documented case results firm-wide with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3 (equitable distribution statute), demonstrating deep knowledge of Virginia family law. The firm’s tagline is “Advocacy Without Borders.”
In Roanoke County, the firm has 34 documented case results across all practice areas with a 94% favorable outcome rate. A contempt for unpaid alimony lawyer Roanoke County from our firm understands local court procedures and judge preferences.
Mr. Sris (Owner & CEO, Managing Attorney) also provides oversight on complex contempt cases. He is a former prosecutor, founded the firm in 1997, and personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 34 documented case results in Roanoke County across all practice areas, with a 94% favorable outcome rate. Firm-wide, the firm has 4,739+ case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Shenandoah/Woodstock Location serves clients at Roanoke County courts (305 East Main Street). Accessible via I-81, I-581, Route 11, Route 419, and Route 220.
Alimony contempt lawyer near Roanoke County — serving Salem, Vinton, Cave Spring, Hollins, and Catawba.
24/7 phone consultations — Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (888) 437-7747
By appointment only.
How do I file for alimony contempt in Roanoke County?
Yes. You file a show-cause motion at Roanoke County General District Court, 305 East Main Street, Salem, VA 24153. The court will issue a summons for the non-paying spouse to appear and explain why they should not be held in contempt.
Can I go to jail for unpaid alimony in Virginia?
Yes. Criminal contempt for willful non-payment of alimony can result in up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine. Civil contempt may also lead to jail time as a coercive measure to compel payment.
What evidence do I need for a contempt hearing?
It depends. You need the court order establishing support, proof of missed payments (bank statements, payment records), and evidence of the obligor’s ability to pay (pay stubs, employment records, tax returns).
How long does a contempt case take in Roanoke County?
It depends. A show-cause hearing is typically set within 21-60 days of filing the motion. If the case is contested with discovery, it may take 3-6 months to reach a final hearing.
Can a spousal support violation lawyer help with back payments?
Yes. A spousal support violation lawyer Roanoke County can file for contempt to recover arrears, request wage garnishment, and seek a lump-sum judgment for unpaid support. The court may also award attorney’s fees.
- Virginia Family Law Lawyer — Hub page for all VA family law matters.
- Shenandoah County Family Law Lawyer — Nearby locality with similar court procedures.
- Frederick County Family Law Lawyer — Another nearby locality for family law representation.
- Criminal Defense Lawyer Roanoke County — Related practice area in the same locality.
- DUI Lawyer Roanoke County — Another practice area in Roanoke County.
- Samantha Powers Profile — Primary attorney for VA family law.
- Shenandoah/Woodstock Office — Serving Roanoke County clients.
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.