What to do when he ignores the order
The court already ordered him to pay, but he acts like the order does not exist.
What do you actually do when he ignores the order?
Start by treating unpaid maintenance as what it is, a debt that can be recovered, not a private argument you need to keep negotiating.[1] The order remains enforceable through the court whether or not he responds to you.[2]
This guide walks through the practical steps, from documenting the pattern to moving toward enforcement. For the enforcement process itself, see enforcing arrears with BSK.
What does ignoring the order actually look like?
It can take several forms: missed payments with no explanation, partial payments that never catch up, blocked calls or messages, or open statements that he simply will not pay.
Whatever form it takes, the underlying issue is the same. An order exists, and it is not being honoured.
What should you document as this happens?
Keep a simple, ongoing record rather than trying to reconstruct everything later.
- The dates and amounts of any payments actually received.
- The dates payments were due but missed.
- Any messages, even unanswered ones, showing your attempts to follow up.
- Screenshots if he has stated outright that he will not pay.
When is it time to move from asking to enforcing?
If a pattern of missed or partial payments continues for more than a month or two with no genuine explanation, it is usually time to raise this with a Peguam Syarie rather than continuing to ask him directly.
Waiting longer rarely changes his behaviour, and it delays your access to what is actually owed.
What if he claims he genuinely cannot pay?
The order stays valid until the court changes it. If his circumstances have truly changed, the proper step is for him to apply to vary the order, not to stop paying unilaterally. You can still pursue the arrears that built up before any genuine change.
What are your actual next steps?
- Organise your payment and communication records.
- Bring them to a Peguam Syarie or approach BSK to start enforcement.
- File or update your arrears claim at the Syariah Court that made the order.
- Let the enforcement process run, rather than continuing to chase him yourself.
What if this is affecting your children directly?
If unpaid maintenance is putting real strain on your household, say so clearly when you raise the matter. See nafkah anak for the underlying child maintenance claim if the order needs to be established or revisited.
Tell us what has happened and for how long, and we will help you see the enforcement route that fits your situation.
Common questions
He says he lost his job and simply cannot pay. What now?
The order stays valid until the court varies it. If his circumstances genuinely changed, he needs to apply to vary it himself, not simply stop paying. You can still pursue what was owed before any change.
How long should I wait before treating this as him ignoring the order?
There is no fixed period, but a pattern of missed payments over more than a month or two, with no explanation, is usually enough to act on. Waiting indefinitely rarely improves your position.
He blocked my calls and messages. Does that stop enforcement?
No. Enforcement runs through the court and BSK, not through his willingness to respond to you directly. His silence does not prevent the process from moving forward.
Should I confront him myself before going to the court?
You do not need to. A documented attempt to communicate is useful, but you are not required to keep pursuing him personally once it is clear he will not respond.
If he is ignoring an order that is meant to support you or your children, tell us what has happened and we will help you see the next step.
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