Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ignore a family court order, including child custody, child support and alimony orders. Many people think that the judge will understand and forgive them because their spouse violated the court order first or that the order isn’t valid because it was entered based upon incorrect information. However, neither of these justifications will work.

Blaming your ex-spouse for “starting it” when she violated the court order is not a valid excuse for you to stop obeying the order. If your ex-spouse is not abiding by the terms of the domestic order, you should consult with an attorney immediately. We can help you take action to enforce the order, but you must be complying with your side of the deal.

If the court order was entered based upon incorrect information or a lie, you should contact an attorney to ask the court to reconsider its decision. Until the court corrects it and enters a new order, you must continue to obey the terms of the order as long as it is in effect.

So what does this all mean? If your ex-wife is not letting you see your children as set forth in your custody and visitation order, you cannot refuse to make your child support payments. It just doesn’t work that way. You must continue to make your payments and allow your attorney to take action to enforce your custody and visitation rights. Remember, your child support payments are not for the benefit of your spouse, so withholding them will be viewed by the court as detrimental to your children.

We understand that family matters can get complicated. However, once a court order has been entered, you need to abide by its terms. If your life circumstances have changed and you are unable to comply with the existing order, we can help you seek a modification of the order. Don’t simply ignore the problem or let it get worse by ignoring it. As soon as you begin to encounter struggles, let us get involved and help you. The quicker you take action, the less costly it will be and the more likely you will obtain a positive result.

Men often find it difficult to find a divorce attorney who understands the unique male perspective on family law matters. If you are facing divorce or you have other family law needs, our legal team is here to help. Contact the Men’s Divorce Law Firm to schedule a consultation with a caring professional, and aggressive advocate for men’s rights in divorce, child timesharing (custody), and paternity matters.