Support Contempt Lawyer Henrico County — How to Enforce Your Court Order
In Henrico County, support contempt under Va. Code § 20-107.3 carries potential jail time for willful nonpayment. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 21 documented case results in Henrico County. A Support Contempt Lawyer Henrico County can file a motion to enforce your child or spousal support order.
Last verified: April 2026 | Henrico County General District Court | Va. Code § 20-107.3 (official Virginia General Assembly)
Support contempt in Virginia occurs when a party willfully disobeys a court order for child support or spousal support. Under Va. Code § 20-107.3, the court can hold a non-paying party in contempt, which may result in fines, wage garnishment, or incarceration. A Support Contempt Lawyer Henrico County understands the specific procedures at the Henrico County General District Court and Henrico County Circuit Court. The statute requires proof that the violating party had the ability to pay and intentionally failed to do so. Mr. Sris personally amended this equitable distribution statute, giving the firm unique insight into its application.
For the official statute governing support contempt in Virginia, see Va. Code § 20-107.3 (official Virginia General Assembly). For court procedures and filing information, visit the Henrico County General District Court website.
- File a show cause motion at Henrico County General District Court or Circuit Court.
- Serve the motion on the non-paying party through sheriff or private process server.
- Attend the show cause hearing with documentation of missed payments.
- Present evidence of the violating party’s ability to pay.
- Request the court’s remedy: wage garnishment, lump sum payment, or incarceration.
- If the court finds contempt, obtain a written order for enforcement.
In Henrico County, support contempt carries potential jail time of up to 12 months and fines up to $2,500 for each willful violation.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willful nonpayment of support | Civil contempt | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | Driver’s license suspension | Wage garnishment, tax refund intercept, credit reporting |
| Criminal contempt | Class 1 misdemeanor | Up to 12 months | Up to $2,500 | Driver’s license suspension | Criminal record, passport denial |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. The firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience and has documented 4,739+ case results firm-wide across Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington D.C. Mr. Sris personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3, the equitable distribution statute that governs support contempt in Virginia family law. This amendment gives the firm unique authority in Henrico County support contempt cases. The firm’s favorable outcome rate exceeds 93% across all practice areas.
Mr. Sris, the firm’s founder and managing attorney, also handles complex support contempt cases in Henrico County. He personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3 and brings over 25 years of experience to each case.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 21 total documented case results across all practice areas in Henrico County, with a 100% favorable outcome rate. Firm-wide, the firm has 4,739+ documented case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate across Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington D.C.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Richmond location serves clients at Henrico County courts (4301 East Parham Road). The office is accessible via I-64, I-95, and I-295, near Short Pump Town Center and Innsbrook Corporate Center.
Support contempt lawyer near Henrico County: serving Glen Allen, Short Pump, Innsbrook, Tuckahoe, Highland Springs, and Mechanicsville.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (804)201-9009
By appointment only.
Can I go to jail for not paying child support in Henrico County?
Yes. Willful nonpayment of child support can result in up to 12 months in jail for civil contempt under Va. Code § 20-107.3.
The court must find you had the ability to pay and intentionally failed to do so. A Support Contempt Lawyer Henrico County can help you present evidence of inability to pay.
How long does a support contempt case take in Henrico County?
It depends. Show cause hearings are typically set within 21-60 days of filing the motion at Henrico County General District Court.
Complex cases involving business valuation or hidden assets may take 3-6 months. A Support Contempt Lawyer Henrico County can expedite the process.
What evidence do I need for a support contempt case?
You need documentation of missed payments, proof of the violating party’s income, bank statements, and any communication about nonpayment.
The court also considers tax returns, pay stubs, and employment records. A Support Contempt Lawyer Henrico County can help gather this evidence.
Can a support contempt case affect my driver’s license?
Yes. Virginia law allows the court to suspend your driver’s license for willful nonpayment of child support.
The suspension remains until you pay the arrearage or enter a payment plan. A Support Contempt Lawyer Henrico County can negotiate with the court to avoid license suspension.
What is the difference between civil and criminal contempt for support?
Civil contempt aims to compel compliance through fines or jail until you pay. Criminal contempt punishes past willful violations with up to 12 months in jail.
Civil contempt does not create a criminal record. Criminal contempt is a Class 1 misdemeanor. A Support Contempt Lawyer Henrico County can explain which applies to your case.
Can I modify my support order instead of facing contempt?
Yes. If your financial situation has changed, you can file a motion to modify support at Henrico County Circuit Court.
A modification may reduce your monthly obligation and stop contempt proceedings. A Support Contempt Lawyer Henrico County can file the modification motion for you.
For more information, visit our Virginia Family Law Lawyer hub page. See also our Chesterfield County family law lawyer and Hanover County family law lawyer pages. For related practice areas in Henrico County, see our Henrico County criminal defense lawyer and Henrico County DUI lawyer pages.
Learn more about our attorneys: Bryan Block, Former Virginia State Trooper.
Last verified: April 2026. Information updated as of 2026-02-15. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.