N.Y. Domestic Relations Law Section 245
Enforcement by contempt proceedings of judgment or order in action for divorce, separation or annulment

Where a spouse, in an action for divorce, separation, annulment or declaration of nullity of a void marriage, or for the enforcement in this state of a judgment for divorce, separation, annulment or declaration of nullity of a void marriage rendered in another state, makes default in paying any sum of money as required by the judgment or order directing the payment thereof, the aggrieved spouse may make application pursuant to the provisions of Judiciary Law § 756 (Application to punish for contempt)section seven hundred fifty-six of the judiciary law to punish the defaulting spouse for contempt, and where the judgment or order directs the payment to be made in installments, or at stated intervals, failure to make such single payment or installment may be punished as therein provided, and such punishment, either by fine or commitment, shall not be a bar to a subsequent proceeding to punish the defaulting spouse as for a contempt for failure to pay subsequent installments, but for such purpose such spouse may be proceeded against under the said order in the same manner and with the same effect as though such installment payment was directed to be paid by a separate and distinct order, and the provisions of the civil rights law are hereby superseded so far as they are in conflict therewith. Such application may also be made without any previous sequestration or direction to give security or any application for enforcement by any other means. No demand of any kind upon the defaulting spouse shall be necessary in order that he or she be proceeded against and punished for failure to make any such payment or to pay any such installment; personal service upon the defaulting spouse of an uncertified copy of the judgment or order under which the default has occurred shall be sufficient.

Source: Section 245 — Enforcement by contempt proceedings of judgment or order in action for divorce, separation or annulment, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/DOM/245 (updated Oct. 7, 2016; accessed Nov. 29, 2025).

230
Required residence of parties 231
Residence of married persons 232
Notice of nature of matrimonial action 233
Sequestration of defendant’s property in action for divorce, separation or annulment where defendant cannot be personally served 234
Title to or occupancy and possession of property 235
Information as to details of matrimonial actions or proceedings 236
Special controlling provisions 237
Counsel fees and expenses 238
Expenses in enforcement and modification proceedings 239
Stay in divorce or separation action on default of payment 240
Custody and child support 240–A
Judgment or decree 240–B
Order of support by parent 240–C
Review and cost of living adjustment of child support orders 240–D
Support orders for certain adult dependents 241
Interference with or withholding of visitation rights 243
Security for payments by defendant in action for divorce, separation or annulment 244
Enforcement by execution of judgment or order in action for divorce, separation or annulment 244–A
Enforcement of arrears which accrue during pendency of an enforcement proceeding 244–B
Child support proceedings and enforcement of arrears 244–C
Child support proceedings and enforcement of arrears 244–D
Child support proceedings and enforcement of arrears 245
Enforcement by contempt proceedings of judgment or order in action for divorce, separation or annulment 246
Persons financially unable to comply with orders or judgments directing the payment of alimony 247
Alimony or maintenance payments suspended during confinement in prison 248
Modification of judgment or order in action for divorce or annulment 249
Trial preferences in matrimonial actions 250
Agreements relating to marriage 251
Filing of order in family court 252
Effect of pendency of action for divorce, separation or annulment on petition for order of protection 253
Removal of barriers to remarriage 254
Confidentiality 255
Prerequisites for judgments under articles nine, ten and eleven of this chapter
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Verified:
Nov. 29, 2025

Last modified:
Oct. 7, 2016

§ 245. Enforcement by contempt proceedings of judgment or order in action for divorce, separation or annulment's source at nysenate​.gov

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