Going through a divorce can be a stressful experience, so you may feel a sense of relief once you have a divorce decree because that means it’s finally over. What you may not realize is that just having the decree doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t have to ever deal with anything related to your divorce again.
There’s a chance that your ex won’t uphold their end of the divorce decree. This may necessitate legal action so that the court can enforce the order.
Enforcing a divorce decree
Under certain circumstances, turning to your legal representative to attempt to get your ex to comply with your mutual divorce order can lead to an effective resolution of the concern at issue. If alternative tactics don’t work, it may be necessary to turn to the court.
You may need to file a complaint, which is formally known as a show cause and contempt action. This lets the court know that your ex isn’t complying with the divorce decree and that you need assistance with getting them to follow the order.
Modifying a divorce decree
While this scenario doesn’t happen often, there might be certain things that require you to seek a modification of your divorce decree. For example, a job loss or a major change in your income and/or need to change your parenting plan could potentially warrant a modification.
Some modifications may be made through mutual agreement. In other cases, you may have to petition the court for a modification of the order. Some modifications, including those involving child support obligations, will require significant proof for the court about the basis of the need for the changes.
Enforcing or modifying a divorce decree can be a complex process. It’s generally wise to seek the support legal representative who can assist with this so you can learn about your options and get the process moving forward as efficiently and effectively as possible.
