What Happens If Your Ex Doesn't Comply With a Financial Court Order?

What Happens If Your Ex Doesn’t Comply With a Financial Court Order?

Reaching a financial settlement after divorce can feel like the end of a difficult journey. But what happens if one person doesn’t pay what they owe, refuses to sell a property, or simply ignores the terms of the court order?

In this episode of Resolution’s Talking Family Law podcast, Kara Swift Senior Associate at Family Law in Partnership features as a guest speaker with Christopher Stirling of Field Court Chambers to explain what options are available when a financial remedy order is not being followed.

They discuss the practical steps that can be taken to enforce court orders, the different enforcement methods available, and why acting quickly can make a difference.

This episode offers clear, practical insights into what can happen when agreements are not honoured.

About Kara

Kara is a Senior Associate at Family Law in Partnership, advising on all aspects of private family law, with particular expertise in complex financial remedy cases following separation and divorce. She supports married and unmarried individuals on financial claims, property disputes and arrangements for children, combining pragmatic legal advice with a thoughtful, focused approach. Kara is also a qualified collaborative lawyer, helping clients resolve disputes constructively wherever possible.

"I want to help people select and then navigate the process that is best for them by providing pragmatic advice on the options available and by instilling a sense of confidence in their future. I understand the need to be adaptable and can provide effective advice on solicitor led negotiation, mediation, the collaborative process and litigation"

Kara Swift

Q&A

The Legal Position Explained

What is a financial remedy order? +

A financial remedy order is a legally binding court order that sets out how finances should be dealt with upon divorce. It can cover matters such as but not limited to property, pensions, maintenance and lump sum payments.

What happens if my ex ignores a financial court order? +

If your ex does not comply with the terms of a financial court order, you may be able to ask the court to enforce it. The options available will depend on the type of order and the circumstances.

What are enforcement proceedings? +

Enforcement proceedings are legal steps that can be taken to ask the court to help you achieve what was intended by the financial remedy order when one person has failed to do what they were meant to do.

Can we resolve the issue without going back to court? +

Sometimes. Depending on the situation, it may be possible to resolve matters through negotiation or other forms of non-court dispute resolution before taking enforcement action.

Can you recover your legal costs of enforcement proceedings? +

Costs are dealt with differently in enforcement proceedings. The starting point is usually that you each meet your own costs but the courts start with a clean sheet in enforcement proceedings making it generally easier to recover the costs associated. It is in the court’s discretion and will depend on the circumstances.

Location

Savoy Hill House Savoy Hill London, WC2R 0BU

Hours

Mon - Fri 8:30 - 18:00

Telephone

+44 (0)20 7420 5000

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What Happens If Your Ex Doesn’t Comply With a Financial Court Order?

What Happens If Your Ex Doesn’t Comply With a Financial Court Order?

Q&A

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