What happens if the paying spouse fails to make spousal support payments?

In Washington, failure to make spousal support payments can have serious repercussions for the paying spouse. If the paying spouse fails to make payments as ordered by the court, they may be subject to wage garnishment. This means that the paying spouse’s wages may be withheld by their employer and sent to the court or the receiving spouse as payment for the missed spousal support payments. In addition, the paying spouse may have to pay fines and other fees as a penalty for not meeting their court-ordered obligation. The court can also issue an arrest warrant if the paying spouse fails to pay and refuses to attend court hearings about the issue. In some cases, the court may choose to modify the spousal support order to make it easier for the paying spouse to make the payments. However, the court will not do this too often, as they think this could lead to reliance on the court’s assistance in making payments. If the paying spouse still continues to fail to make payments, the court may order repayment of past-due support payments, which may include interest. Ultimately, if the paying spouse fails to make spousal support payments as ordered by the court, they may be subject to serious legal consequences. It is important to take the court’s orders seriously and meet your obligations if you are the paying spouse.

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What happens if the paying spouse fails to make spousal support payments?

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