My Ex is ignoring judgments!

[cheshirecatz]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? New Jersey

When we divorced last October 2004 I was awarded a total of $75,000 from our jointly owned property. $25,000 was compensation for dissipation of marital assets (my husband had been supporting his girlfriend and their children for years with our savings) and was to be paid in May 2005. The remainder was to be paid on July 15, 2005 and was to come from the sale of a house that I did a quit claim to so that my husband could sell it.

My ex has not paid anything so far even though the judgment says everything very clearly. He said his lawyer told him he doesn't have to pay anything until he sells the house. In May when he didn't pay my lawyer said to wait until July because that is what a judge would say to do before we took steps. This is a BIG financial hardship for me as I needed that money for mortgage payments and now I am in danger of losing my house and my credit is ruined. Now July is over and my husband is hiding from me and my lawyer said we can get a lien against the house.

Is this the only thing I can do? Can't I go to court and ask the judge to give me the house or order it sold or something? I do owe my lawyer a pretty large sum but I simply can't pay him until I get the settlement and I am wondering if he just doesn't want to be bothered with my case any more.

[LdiJ]

Originally Posted by cheshirecatz

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? New Jersey

When we divorced last October 2004 I was awarded a total of $75,000 from our jointly owned property. $25,000 was compensation for dissipation of marital assets (my husband had been supporting his girlfriend and their children for years with our savings) and was to be paid in May 2005. The remainder was to be paid on July 15, 2005 and was to come from the sale of a house that I did a quit claim to so that my husband could sell it.

My ex has not paid anything so far even though the judgment says everything very clearly. He said his lawyer told him he doesn't have to pay anything until he sells the house. In May when he didn't pay my lawyer said to wait until July because that is what a judge would say to do before we took steps. This is a BIG financial hardship for me as I needed that money for mortgage payments and now I am in danger of losing my house and my credit is ruined. Now July is over and my husband is hiding from me and my lawyer said we can get a lien against the house.

Is this the only thing I can do? Can't I go to court and ask the judge to give me the house or order it sold or something? I do owe my lawyer a pretty large sum but I simply can't pay him until I get the settlement and I am wondering if he just doesn't want to be bothered with my case any more.

I would be surprized if your attorney was ignoring your case. He knows he can't get paid until you collect. Why in the world though did you give him a quit claim deed prior to recieving your money?

[cheshirecatz]

New Jersey.

It was part of the agreement so that my husband could sell the house. However, it does say in the judgment of divorce that if he does not pay the money the court can order the house sold and the money awarded to me. It sounded like something that was done all the time??????

[LdiJ]

Originally Posted by cheshirecatz

New Jersey.

It was part of the agreement so that my husband could sell the house. However, it does say in the judgment of divorce that if he does not pay the money the court can order the house sold and the money awarded to me. It sounded like something that was done all the time??????

Its not normal to sign the quit claim deed unless its done in conjunction with getting the money....generally at closing. However it sounds like you are protected anyway...but it does sound like you need to take things back to court.