Support Contempt Lawyer New Kent County, VA

When a court-ordered support obligation—child support or spousal maintenance—is not paid, the party owed support may ask the court to hold the non-paying party in contempt. In New Kent County, Virginia, support contempt proceedings are heard in the New Kent County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court and, in divorce cases, the New Kent County Circuit Court. Virginia law gives the court authority to enforce support orders through contempt sanctions, which can include jail time, fines, or other remedies. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents custodial parents and former spouses seeking enforcement of support orders, as well as individuals facing contempt allegations. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of the firm, and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys appear regularly in New Kent County courts and bring focused experience in Virginia family law. Contempt hearings take place at 12001 Courthouse Circle, New Kent, VA 23124, in the Ninth Judicial District. Our Richmond location serves clients throughout New Kent County. Reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

What Support Contempt Means in New Kent County, Virginia

Support contempt is a court’s finding that a person willfully failed to comply with a prior support order—such as a child-support order entered under Va. Code § 20-108.1 or a spousal-support order under Va. Code § 20-107.1. A contempt proceeding is not a new trial on the obligation; rather, the court examines whether the order was in place, whether the obligated party had the ability to pay, and whether the non-payment was intentional. In New Kent County, the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court handles stand‑alone child-support and spousal-support matters, while the Circuit Court addresses support contempt that arises within a divorce or equitable-distribution case. Both courts sit at the same courthouse on Courthouse Circle.

Virginia law distinguishes between civil and criminal contempt. Civil contempt is remedial: the court aims to compel compliance, often by ordering a purge payment or a payment plan. Criminal contempt is punitive; it addresses willful disobedience and may result in a fine or confinement. A court may also impose both types of sanction in appropriate circumstances. The process typically begins with the filing of a petition or motion for a rule to show cause, after which the court schedules a hearing. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. is familiar with the procedures and expectations of the New Kent County bench and can assist at every stage, whether you are seeking to enforce a support order or defending against a contempt allegation.

How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle Support Contempt Cases

Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys approach support contempt matters with a focus on the documentary record and the facts of the original order. The team reviews the support obligation, the payment history, any prior modifications, and the financial circumstances of both parties. When a client is owed support, the attorneys prepare a detailed petition outlining the arrearage and the payor’s ability to pay, and present the case to the court with supporting evidence. When a client is accused of contempt, the focus shifts to defenses such as a genuine inability to pay, a good-faith change in circumstances, or procedural defects in the original order or the service of the show‑cause summons.

Because the consequences of a contempt finding in Virginia can include incarceration, it is critical to have an experienced advocate in the courtroom. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys appear in the New Kent County juvenile and circuit courts and are prepared to negotiate a resolution where possible—whether through a stipulation to catch up on arrears, a consent payment plan, or a purge clause—or to try the matter when a fair agreement cannot be reached. Every case is handled with attention to the individual’s financial and family circumstances. Contact (888) 437-7747 to discuss your situation.

About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys

Mr. Sris is the Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., a multi-state law firm founded in 1997. A former prosecutor, Mr. Sris is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. He has nearly three decades of legal experience and concentrates a substantial portion of his work on Virginia family law, including support matters in New Kent County courts. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova), a bill relating to equitable-distribution procedures.

The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring additional depth. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring extensive combined legal experience. Results may vary. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. serves New Kent County from its Richmond location at 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23225, by appointment only. Reach us at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is contempt for failure to pay support in Virginia?

Contempt for failure to pay support is a court’s finding that a person willfully disobeyed a prior child-support or spousal-support order and can result in enforcement remedies such as jail, fines, or wage-withholding orders. Under Va. Code § 18.2-456 and § 20-115, the court has broad authority to hold a non-complying party in contempt. The proceeding focuses on whether the individual had the ability to pay and chose not to. If you are the person owed support, a contempt action can compel payment and attach consequences to persistent non‑compliance.

How do I enforce a child support or spousal support order in New Kent County?

Enforcement typically begins by filing a petition or motion for a rule to show cause with the New Kent County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court or the New Kent County Circuit Court, depending on the nature of the original order. The petition must identify the order, the amount of the arrearage, and facts demonstrating that the payor had the ability to pay but failed to do so. After the petition is filed, the court issues a summons and schedules a show‑cause hearing. Legal representation can help gather evidence and present the case clearly.

Can I go to jail if I owe unpaid support?

Yes, a Virginia court can order incarceration for willful failure to pay court-ordered support. If the court finds you in criminal contempt under Va. Code § 18.2-456, it may impose a period of confinement. Civil contempt may also result in jail time as a sanction designed to compel compliance with the order. In many cases, however, the court works to obtain a cure—such as a lump-sum payment toward arrears or a wage‑assignment order—before resorting to confinement. The specific outcome depends on the facts and the judge’s view of the evidence.

What defenses can I raise if I’m accused of support contempt?

A person accused of support contempt can raise several defenses, including a genuine inability to pay, the absence of a valid support order, improper service of the show‑cause summons, or that the alleged arrearage has already been satisfied. The defense must show that the non-payment was not willful. Evidence of job loss, medical disability, or other substantial changes in financial circumstances may be relevant. An experienced attorney can evaluate which defenses apply and present them to the court.

Do I need a lawyer for a support contempt hearing in New Kent County?

You are not required to have a lawyer, but the stakes—including potential jail time—make legal representation highly advisable. Support contempt hearings involve rules of evidence and procedure that can be difficult to navigate without counsel. The court will expect you to present evidence, examine witnesses, and make legal arguments. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys can represent you in the New Kent County courts and can advise on potential defenses or enforcement strategies.

What happens at a show cause hearing for support contempt?

At a show cause hearing, the person who filed for contempt presents evidence of the support order and the non‑payment, and the accused party has an opportunity to explain why compliance did not occur and to present any defenses. The judge hears testimony, reviews payment records and financial documents, and decides whether the non‑payment was willful. If contempt is found, the court may impose a sentence, set a purge payment amount, or order ongoing compliance measures such as automatic wage withholding. A hearing can be resolved in a single session or continued for further evidence.

Last reviewed: July 2026

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Results may vary. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. serves New Kent County from its Richmond location. Consultations available by appointment. Call (888) 437-7747.

Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.