Saint Louis, MO asked in Banking, Civil Litigation and Divorce for Illinois

Q: Can my ex husband sue me for not being able to pay on a joint account that was declared mine in the divorce decree

I am in another state helping my family member with their kid because they are in the hospital and I am unable to work because of this he is saying I could face jail time and fines because I'm not paying on it because I'm unable to work at this time

1 Lawyer Answer
J. Richard Kulerski
J. Richard Kulerski
Answered
  • Oak Brook Terrace, IL
  • Licensed in Illinois

A: You haven't provided enough info to allow for a complete answer, but I can say this much. Our law is far from perfect, but it is not without understanding. He can take you back to court and seek to have you held in contempt for failing to pay what you were supposed to pay under your Judgment, but the Court will not punish you if your failure to pay was for a good reason.Jail time and other punishments are only given to those who fail to comply with a court order "without compelling cause or justification". Without knowing ALL of your facts, you do not seem to fall within that category.

James G. Ahlberg agrees with this answer

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