Enforcement doesn't have to mean starting from scratch or facing that kind of upfront cost. If the order relates to money or property, there are enforcement mechanisms under the Family Law Act, including enforcement warrants, third-party debt notices, and applications for specific enforcement orders, that don't require the same volume of paperwork as a full property dispute. If it's a parenting order that isn't being followed, the contravention provisions allow the court to make a range of orders, from make-up time through to penalties, depending on how serious and repeated the non-compliance is.
A $20,000 quote suggests you may have been speaking with firms geared towards complex, contested matters rather than a targeted enforcement application, which is often a more contained (and more affordable) piece of work once the underlying order already exists. Enforcement can sometimes also be progressed faster and more cheaply through alternate dispute resolution or a properly worded letter before resorting to court at all.
We'd encourage you to get a clear, itemised quote from a firm that focuses specifically on
family law enforcement work, the cost of an enforcement application is very different from the cost of running a final hearing, and you shouldn't be quoted as if you're starting the whole case over again.
Disclaimer: Please note information in this response is general in nature and should not be treated as legal advice. It may not be complete or up to date for your specific situation. Independent legal advice is always recommended.
