Even though a judge may award you with alimony or property or child support, it does not automatically mean that your ex-spouse will turn what was awarded over to you. There are certain things you can do to enforce the terms of your divorce.

If you are due child support and/or alimony, you can garnish your ex-spouse's wages so that the sum owed is directly deducted from their pay. By garnishing their wages, you no longer have to wonder if you will receive a check every week. 

Also, if your ex-spouse refuses to turn over property, you can bring him or her back to court via a contempt motion. To succeed in a contempt hearing, you must show that your ex-spouse has willfully and intentionally refused to comply with the court order. A contempt motion can also be brought for failure to follow a visitation schedule as well as for failure to comply with monetary orders.

Keep in mind that you cannot use failure to receive child support as a justification to deny visitation. The court always treats child support and visitation separately. Denying visitation for what you believe is a justifiable reason is one very quick way to have your ex-spouse bring you back to court on post-judgment motions.

All fifty states now enforce each other's support orders so your spouse cannot hide by fleeing the state.