what happens to alimony payments if I leave the USA and refuse to pay?

guy_n_cognito_tu · 2023-01-03T12:55:14+00:00

You’ll end up with a warrant out of CA, which will likely hamper your ability to ever travel in the US again.

jimsmythee · 2023-01-03T14:26:08+00:00

Basically if you do that? Your USA passport will be affected, but that's about it.

If you choose to stay in Italy forever? Do it.

NeverEverSayNever2 · 2023-01-04T01:12:27+00:00

Better call Saul

pk2at · 2023-01-03T19:16:55+00:00

Neither alimony, nor child support can be collected outside the country. Only way to collect would be to litigate in Italian court. As you are an Italian citizen and resident there is very little chance, courts will ask you to pay money to a foreign citizen this way

FUMoney · 2023-01-05T10:42:17+00:00

Many of the answers are technically correct: you would be violating a court order, you may be arrested if found in contempt, and there are treaties between US and EU that theoretically could permit international enforcement.

The reality: Law enforcement is totally overwhelmed in both the US and EU. There is no fucking way California prosecutors, or at the federal level, an AUSA, are going to file a state court action and then invoke Hague Convention procedures to pursue unpaid alimony or child support in the EU. These offices can’t even handle the murderous fentanyl crises killing their respective citizens, and they are jam-packed with illegal immigrant and asylum cases, drug and smuggling cases, etc.

Just to file the case in the states, win this case and get an order for alimony, and only thereafter invoke the Hague process, open a companion case in Italy, get it filed, get you served, seek judicial cooperation — just doing that alone could take three years, no exaggeration (the U.S portion of a divorce proceeding could easily take eighteen months). They are not doing this for a sub-seven-figure divorce case.

If you do it, just know you can’t return to the US if there is a court order and there is a warrant on you for failure to comply. If no court order and no finding of contempt, then you have absolutely nothing to worry about. In fact, it may be better to split before the divorce even is initiated, if you are 100% certain alimony will be awarded.

dday_throwaway3 · 2023-01-03T16:27:50+00:00

You're asking a bunch of internet strangers who have no legal training. Go spend the money and talk to a professional about this -- someone who actually has experience chasing after men who avoid paying spousal support.

vabab8 · 2023-01-03T19:45:00+00:00

I assume that you are planning to go to Italy. US has reprosity with Italy, so they will enforce the order.

Grand-Expression-493 · 2023-01-03T12:57:39+00:00

I might be wrong, but I think there was a post on here about this a while ago. Apparently they can issue a warrant for you, even if you are outside US.

Anyone correct me if I am out to lunch.

CRobinsFly · 2023-01-03T17:21:55+00:00

Italy is probably a signer of the Hague Convention docs. Be careful.

cdjohnny · 2023-01-03T18:21:56+00:00

You would be willfully violating a court order, most likely have an arrest warrant out for you. Always a chance of getting arrested if you come back. I'd pay my debt...

jokerfriend6 · 2023-01-04T01:53:08+00:00

My experience is that nothing will happen unless the other spouse files a case, and this determines what will happen.

Obviously212 · 2023-01-10T05:10:40+00:00

From the court that issued the child support ruling. The minute you return to the USA and you have reached whatever magical number in child support arrears that it takes to get arrested.

Title	what happens to alimony payments if I leave the USA and refuse to pay?
Author	thenotknown2022
Upvotes	4
Comments	49
Date	January 3, 2023 12:02 PM UTC (3 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/Divorce_Men
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/Divorce_Men/comments/1026dum/what_happens_to_alimony_payments_if_i_leave_the/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/Divorce_Men/what-happens-to-alimony-payments-if-i-leave-the.1147267 https://theredarchive.com/post/1147267

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