Utah Enforcement Lawyer

Are you looking for an enforcement lawyer in Utah?

At Felt Family Law & Mediation, we have been serving clients in Utah enforcement matters with over 10 years of combined legal experience.

If your former spouse or co-parent is ignoring a court order in Utah, you need an attorney who understands your situation and has the experience to help you. Missed support payments, withheld parent-time, and unfinished property transfers don’t fix themselves, and waiting can make the problem harder to undo.

Jonathan L. Felt has practiced family law in Utah since 2016. We help clients hold the other party to the terms of their decree or order and ask the court for remedies when those terms are broken. Contact us to schedule a consultation with a Utah enforcement lawyer.

Enforcement Lawyer Utah

An enforcement lawyer helps a client make the other party follow an existing family court order. That order might cover child support, alimony, custody, parent-time, or the division of property in a divorce. The attorney gathers proof of the violation, files the right motion, and asks the judge for remedies such as back payments, make-up time, or a contempt finding.

Utah’s Office of Recovery Services collected more than $194 million in child support during state fiscal year 2025, based on the agency’s monthly collection reports. Much of that money came through enforcement tools such as income withholding.

Types of Enforcement Cases We Handle in Utah

Enforcement comes up any time one party stops following the court’s orders. We handle:

• Child support. When payments fall behind, the court can enter a judgment for the arrears and order wage withholding. We can explain whether courts can garnish your wages for child support and pursue child support collection on your behalf.
• Alimony. Missed alimony payments can be reduced to a judgment and collected like other court-ordered debts. We file motions to enforce alimony and seek the full amount owed.
• Parent-time. When a parent refuses exchanges or cancels visits, the court can order make-up time and other consequences. Keep a record of each missed exchange, and we’ll document the pattern and ask the court to protect your parent-time.
• Custody. Moving a child without notice or making major decisions without the other parent can violate the custody order. We ask the court to correct those actions.
• Property division violations. Some spouses delay refinancing the house, transferring a retirement account, or handing over personal property. These delays can cost you money every month, and we enforce the property terms of the divorce decree.
• Contempt proceedings. When a violation is willful, the court can hold the other party in contempt, which can include fines and other sanctions. We prepare the evidence the court needs to make that finding.
• Attorney fees for enforcement. Courts can order the violating party to pay the fees you incurred to enforce the order. We request those fees when the law allows.
• Interstate enforcement. When the other party moves out of Utah, orders can still be enforced through interstate procedures. We help clients pursue Utah orders when a parent or former spouse relocates.
• Defending enforcement actions. If you’ve been accused of violating an order, we help you respond, explain any legitimate reasons for the issue, and look at whether a modification is needed.

Why Choose Felt Family Law & Mediation as My Enforcement Lawyer in Utah?

Persistent Advocacy With a Practical Approach

Jonathan L. Felt founded Felt Family Law & Mediation in 2016 and practices only family law. Enforcement cases require careful records and a clear presentation, and he builds the timeline of missed payments or denied parent-time so the judge can see the pattern. As a Master Mediator, he can also help parties resolve compliance problems without a lengthy hearing when the other side is willing.

He earned his J.D. magna cum laude from Hamline University School of Law and is a member of the Utah State Bar, the American Bar Association, and the American Inns of Court. Enforcement often overlaps with custody, support, and modifications, so clients benefit from a family law lawyer in Utah who handles every part of the case.

Enforcement Results for Our Clients

Our clients’ outcomes have included:

• Compliance with parent-time schedules after court involvement
• Resolution of support disputes through negotiation and mediation
• Updated orders when enforcement revealed the need for a modification

Catie Weimer said, “His staff was always available to answer any question I had, and I was extremely satisfied with the outcome.” More reviews are on our testimonials page.

What Is Important to Understand About Enforcement Cases in Utah?

Enforcement Tools and Remedies in Utah Family Cases

Utah courts have several ways to respond when a family court order is violated. The most common are:

• Judgment for arrears. Unpaid child support or alimony can be turned into a judgment that accrues interest and can be collected through liens and garnishment.
• Income withholding. Support can be deducted directly from the paying party’s wages.
• Make-up parent-time. A parent who lost scheduled time can be awarded compensatory time with the child.
• Contempt of court. Willful violations can lead to fines, sanctions, and in serious cases, jail time.
• Attorney fees. The court can order the violating party to cover the costs of enforcement.

What Are Important Aspects of an Enforcement Case?

A few points can make or break an enforcement request:

• Documentation. Payment records, calendars, and messages are the core evidence. Keeping them organized is one of the most useful tips for protecting yourself in a family law case.
• Self-help isn’t allowed. Withholding parent-time because support is unpaid, or stopping support because parent-time is denied, can put you in violation too.
• Timing. Acting promptly keeps arrears from growing and shows the court the issue is serious.
• ORS involvement. For child support, the Office of Recovery Services can use administrative tools such as tax refund intercepts and license actions.

What Is the Enforcement Case Timeline?

Enforcement is usually handled by motion within the existing case, which can move faster than a new lawsuit:

1. A motion to enforce or an order to show cause is filed and served.
2. The other party has a set time to respond.
3. The court schedules a hearing, sometimes after mediation.
4. The judge decides whether a violation occurred and what remedies apply.
5. The court enters an order for payment, make-up time, or other relief.

Straightforward enforcement matters can be resolved in a few months. Cases involving contempt or disputed facts may take longer.

What Should You Bring to Your Enforcement Consultation?

Enforcement depends on proving what the order says and how it was violated. Please bring:

• The decree or order you want enforced
• Payment records, bank statements, or ORS payment history
• A calendar showing missed or denied parent-time
• Texts, emails, or other messages about the violations
• Any prior enforcement motions or court rulings

We’ll review your records, explain which remedies fit your situation, and outline next steps.

Utah Enforcement Court and Local Resources

Enforcement motions are filed in the court that issued the original order. In northern Utah, that’s usually the Second District Court, which covers Davis, Morgan, and Weber counties from courthouses in Farmington, Bountiful, Layton, Ogden, and Morgan. The Office of Recovery Services also collects child support for parents who open a case with the agency. We represent clients throughout the region, whether they need a Syracuse divorce lawyer, an Ogden divorce lawyer, or an Ogden family lawyer.

Reach Out to Felt Family Law & Mediation to Schedule a Consultation

If the other party isn’t following your court order, you don’t have to keep absorbing the cost. Contact us to schedule a consultation with a Utah enforcement attorney at Felt Family Law & Mediation. We’ll review your order and records and explain your options. Our office responds to inquiries promptly.