Divorced spouses and their children often do not receive their court ordered payments, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Bureau statistics show that child support is routinely paid in the mandated amount less than 50 percent the time. About 33 percent of ex-spouses receive a lesser amount and about 25 percent get no money at all.

Parents who do not receive timely child support payments have recourse when they can prove their case to their state's Office of Child Support Enforcement. The agency has a variety of ways to recoup the funds such as taking money from the paycheck of the party owing the money. The agency can also attach a lien to real property or a vehicle or confiscate funds owed to the payor by the government such as tax returns, to pay the former spouse.

Of course, for an ex-spouse to make a case that money is due, he or she must furnish proof. Experts advise divorced spouses to keep meticulous records of how much child support they receive and on what date. Additionally, they should keep all receipts of things they pay for if the ex-spouse is required by the court to pay for it, such as medical expenses.

Getting back alimony payments is more difficult because it requires an appearance before the judge and allows a delinquent ex-spouse to plead his or her case. The agencies mandated to work on non-payment of child support do not help to collect alimony.

Again, experts say it is important to stay diligent in record keeping. Additionally, ex-spouses might need to enlist a private investigator to see if any earnings are being hidden. They also should look at the social media accounts of their former spouses to see if they discuss any lavish trips or expensive purchases that can prove to a judge that funds are being diverted from alimony payments due.

Source: Forbes, "How Can a Divorcing Woman Get the Child Support, Alimony She is Owed?" Jeff Landers, Dec. 14, 2011