Enforcement and Modification

Atlanta, Georgia, Lawyer for Enforcement and Modification of Court Orders

Over time, circumstances change and the initial orders related to your divorce or family-law matter may no longer be fair or effective to satisfy the needs of the parties or their children. Most people who have a divorce decree or other court order setting forth their child support, child custody, parenting time or visitation find that their financial circumstances or the needs of their children eventually change. Or they may have trouble with a spouse not living up to his or her obligations. If you are in that situation, or if you have received notice that you are being charged with contempt of court, it is best to have the guidance of an experienced attorney. Atlanta attorney Jim Lewis has been helping clients with enforcement and modification of court orders for thirteen years. He knows the law, and he knows how to achieve results for you.

Enforcement

Having a final judgment and decree of divorce or other court order in your favor is meaningless unless you are willing to take addition steps to enforce it when the other party does not voluntarily comply. In domestic or family law cases, enforcement actions usually take the form of a petition or complaint for a citation of contempt of court. Once the judge has told the parties what they are required to do in a final judgment and decree of divorce or other court order, the judge does not like it when anyone disobeys the order, unless there is a good reason, and the party disobeying the order may be held in contempt of court.

Although enforcement actions may deal with visitation or property division, the most common enforcement actions deal with unpaid child support. Very often a parent who refuses or fails to pay child support (even with a good reason) will find their wages garnished or, worse, end up in jail. Hiring a well-qualified private attorney is often a huge advantage in enforcement proceedings. For the paying parent, a private attorney may be able to convince the court that there was good reason the child support went unpaid, or may be the one thing that keeps the parent from going to jail. For the parent receiving child support, working with a private lawyer will usually mean no waiting in line at crowded, unpleasant state offices, more convenient hearings and much quicker relief.

Skilled lawyer Jim Lewis can start working immediately to correct your situation and get you the child support you need or defend you against proceedings that might put you in jail.

Modification

When your needs change, contact attorney Jim Lewis to guide you through the modification process. Many couples need to modify court orders when their child's needs change, when a child reaches the age of eighteen, or when one parent begins to make less or more money. As an experienced lawyer, Jim Lewis can help you understand how Georgia law applies to you. He can take action to help you solve your problems.

Contact The Law Offices of James S. Lewis, P.C., by calling (770) 451-8786 for a free and confidential telephone consultation about your enforcement or modification needs.