Enforcement agents, charging orders & collecting what the court ordered
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-28
When a money order isn't paid
A financial remedy order (lump sum, transfer of house, pension share) that the other side ignores needs enforcement action — and the route depends on what assets they hold. You go back to the court that made the order; each method has its own application.
The main collection methods
1. Attachment of earnings order
If they're employed: the court orders their employer to deduct payments from wages. Forms from the court; works where income is stable and above protected levels.
2. Charging order
If they own land/property: places a charge on the title (Land Registry) securing your debt — they can't sell/remortgage without it surfacing. You can then apply for an order for sale in some cases (courts are cautious where it's the family home with children).
3. Third-party debt order
Money owed to them (a bank account balance, wages held by a third party) can be frozen and redirected to you — snapshot at a hearing date, so timing matters.
4. Writ/warrant of control (enforcement agents)
A bailiff/enforcement agent seizes goods to sell. Used for smaller unsecured debts; fees scale. For family money orders this goes through the county court warrant route or a High Court writ (transfer up) for larger sums.
5. Bankruptcy
For substantial unpaid orders, a bankruptcy petition against the defaulting party is a legitimate lever — the trustee can realise assets (though beware: it can affect the family home, so take advice first).
Practical sequence
1. Write, time-limited, WP (see our confidentiality guide): "pay by X or I will enforce" 2. Get their asset picture via the Form E they filed and any enforcement-questionnaire answers (the court can order disclosure of bank accounts, employment, property) 3. Pick the method matching the asset — see the table below 4. Fee per application (help-with-fees may apply — see our HMCTS fees page)
| Their asset | Method | |---|---| | Wages | Attachment of earnings | | House/land | Charging order (+ order for sale) | | Bank account | Third-party debt order | | Goods/business | Warrant of control | | Multiple/complex | Bankruptcy |
Official links
- https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money (enforcement methods)
- https://www.gov.uk/apply-to-court-to-enforce-judgment
This page is general information, not legal advice. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory and is not affiliated with HMCTS or gov.uk.
Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.