Modification and Enforcement

Child Support Enforcement ▪ Divorce Modifications

After a court issues a final divorce order, circumstances can change in the lives of a family. Original orders that made practical sense then, no longer seem as reasonable now. What happens when your former spouse fails to fulfill his or her obligations? You can have an attorney petition the court to enforce or modify an original court order relating to custody, visitation, alimony, and child support.

At the Shimmell Law Offices, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we will assist you in the modification and enforcement of a divorce order. For more information, contact us for a free initial consultation.

Court Order Modifications

The ability to modify a divorce order takes into account that your family's needs change over time. Situations occur that were completely unforeseeable at the time of your divorce. Generally, a court will not modify a court order, unless you prove that there has been a substantial change in circumstances.

Lawyer Dennis Shimmell will advise you about your options concerning a:

• Child support modification
• Visitation and child custody modification
• Alimony modification
• Property division modification

Enforcement of a Court Order

Unfortunately, parties sometimes fail to follow a judge's order. If a judge orders you do something, you must comply. When your spouse fails to abide by the terms of a court order, you can petition the court to hold a hearing to show cause. At this hearing, your spouse has an opportunity to demonstrate why they failed to abide by the order. If the court finds the non-compliance of a court order is inexcusable, it can hold your spouse in contempt of court.

At the Shimmell Law Offices, we have been assisting people with the modification and enforcement of court orders since 1993. For more information about this process, contact us for a free initial consultation. We represent people throughout Michigan, including people in Muskegon and Ottawa County.