My spouse refuses to leave after I got an exclusive possession order. What do I do?

An exclusive possession order is enforceable as a court order. If your spouse refuses to comply, you have legal options. A court order for exclusive possession carries the authority of the court behind it, and refusal to comply can constitute contempt of court.

You can attend at a police station with a certified copy of the court order. Police can assist in enforcing a court order for exclusive possession, particularly where a time limit for departure has been stated in the order and has passed. Having a certified copy of the order with you is important.

You can also return to court to seek a contempt finding against your spouse. Contempt proceedings can result in fines or, in serious cases, imprisonment. Courts take non-compliance with their orders seriously. If your spouse is stalling or making the situation difficult, document everything — including dates and times you requested them to leave, their responses, and any communications about non-compliance. Acting promptly and returning to court if informal steps do not work is the appropriate approach.