Legal Question in Family Law in Maryland

I got divorced in January 2011. As part of the divorce, which was uncontested, my ex agreed to pay a divorce settlement (not alimony) of $25k to be paid $500 per month for 5 years. He has yet to pay. I took him to court for contempt in March of this year. The judge made it a judgment of $25k against him and ordered him to pay $1k by May 5th in order to purge himself of contempt. He has yet to pay me and has sent me nasty text messages telling me I'll get the money when I get it. My question is: if he fails to pay by May 5th, does that mean the contempt charge stand? And if so, will we have to go back to court? The judge never said what would happen if he didn't pay and it became contempt. Will he just be lectured by the judge or will he be jailed?


Asked on 4/25/12, 7:13 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Sher Wagshal and Sher

He could be jailed but that won't put any money in your pocket. Your better course of action is to execute on the judgment by filing an attachment of any bank accounts or other financial asset accounts, and/or a wage garnishment if he gets a paycheck. If those avenues aren't available, and he has sole title to some real estate with equity in it, you could go after that. Consult an attorney experienced in these matters for assistance.

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Answered on 4/26/12, 6:49 am


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