On behalf of John Dorris of Dorris Law Group posted in Military Family Law on Thursday, September 10, 2015.

A military family that goes through a divorce in Arizona can deal with conflicts both during and after the proceedings. Finances can be issues that cause some of the greatest stresses, especially as issues such as spousal support or child support are negotiated. An individual who expects to receive such monthly payments after the finalization of the matter could deal with serious challenges if the other party fails to comply. Compliance problems can occur for a variety of reasons, including negative attitudes, financial difficulties or the influence of a new spouse. However, there are some important strategies that can be used to minimize the potential for post-divorce financial difficulties.

One of the most important factors related to a financial agreement is whether it can be legally enforced. Without approval by a court, a spousal support agreement between two parties can be difficult to enforce. Legal assistance through negotiations and finalization of such an agreement is helpful for ensuring that the support-owing spouse will be accountable after the divorce is finalized. It is also possible to safeguard one’s position in the event of the paying party’s death or disability by carrying an appropriate insurance policy to cover such contingencies.

Direct deposit can be the most effective way of ensuring that support payments are made, especially if they are automatically deducted from an individual’s wages by the employer. It is also possible to request that a non-paying ex-spouse be penalized by being held in contempt of court. In some cases, it may be productive to place a lien on property to satisfy any unpaid support amounts.

Military family law situations such as non-payment of support can be difficult to address due to the sometimes frequent changes in where a military member is stationed. In such cases, it may be necessary to work with a lawyer in the state with jurisdiction over the case to address problems with non-payment of support.