Does a divorce decree order supersede the initial contract

[TWconfused]

My ex was court ordered to pay my divorce lawyer forthwith my attorney's fees ($20,000) which he has refused to do. My attorney stated that regardless of what he does, payment remains my responsibility as I signed the initial contract. I was paying her believing this to be true and in my efforts to get the money he owes me and the attorney fees I went to a collections guy who use to work as an attorney. He saw my decree and consulted w his CA attorney associates and told me that the court order resolved me of this responsibility and to stop paying her, which I did. She has now sent my case to collections. Am I responsible? How do I get him to pay this debt? It seems like court orders in this case are useless because he simply has ignored the financial responsibility he was order to abide by. Please advise. I'm confused and not sure what to do as she states I am responsible whereas the guy states I am not?.?.?.

 

[Proserpina]

I don't know exactly what the collections guy is telling you, but it's NOT accurate.

The attorney is not a party to your divorce, and she can legally come after you to be paid. And he claims to be an attorney? That's scary.

Your only option (realistically speaking) is to pay the attorney and then go back to court and sue your ex for reimbursement.

 

[Betty3]

If you had a contract to pay the attorney, it is your responsibility to see that the attorney gets paid no matter what the divorce court order/decree says. If he is not paying per the court order, *you* will have to try & get the payment from him - most likely you will have to sue. Sorry.

Ther lawyer deserves payment.

 

[army judge]

I concur with aforementioned suggestions.