290–292: Enforcement of Judgments and Orders in Family Law
When the court makes a decision in a family law case, whether it’s about child support, spousal support, custody, or dividing property, it doesn’t just end with a signed judgment. Those orders must be followed, and if someone doesn’t comply, California law provides ways to enforce them.
This section of the Family Code explains how court judgments and orders are enforced, how long they last, and what tools are available to hold someone accountable.
290: Broad Authority to Enforce
The court has wide discretion to enforce any judgment or order issued under the Family Code. That includes using serious legal tools like garnishing wages, seizing property, or even holding someone in contempt of court.
“A judgment or order made or entered pursuant to this code may be enforced by the court by execution, the appointment of a receiver, or contempt, or by any other order as the court in its discretion determines from time to time to be necessary.”
— Family Code §290
This means the court has flexibility to make sure its rulings aren’t ignored.
291: Support Judgments Don’t Expire
Child support, spousal support, and other money judgments don’t expire until they are fully paid, even if years have passed. You don’t need to renew the judgment to keep collecting what’s owed, although you still can renew it if you choose.
- These types of judgments are enforceable until paid in full
- There is no expiration date, and you don’t need to renew the judgment for it to remain valid
- The defense of laches (unreasonable delay) only applies to money owed to the government, not private individuals
This protects parents and spouses who are owed money, ensuring that time doesn’t erase the debt.
The law also directs the Judicial Council (California’s court administration body) to provide self-help resources online, so people can better understand and enforce their rights.
292: Simplified Forms for Contempt
If someone refuses to obey a court order, for example, by not paying support or violating custody terms, you can file a contempt action. That’s a serious legal step that can result in fines or even jail time.
To make this process easier, the court must provide:
- A simplified form titled “Affidavit of Facts Constituting Contempt”
- Step-by-step instructions on how to complete and file it
- A signature section made under penalty of perjury
This helps ensure that anyone, not just lawyers, can take legal action when court orders are ignored.
Enforcing family court orders is critical to making sure justice isn’t just decided on paper but actually delivered in real life. Whether it’s collecting unpaid support, recovering property, or holding someone accountable for disobeying a court order, California law gives the courts and individuals the tools to act. These enforcement rules are designed to ensure that no one can simply ignore the outcome of a family law case, and that every party has access to a fair and effective way to follow through.