As with child support, spousal support orders are most often enforced by contempt after a supporting spouse has failed to comply with the order. G.S. 50-16.7(j)(postseparation support and alimony are enforceable by civil and criminal contempt). However, G.S. 50-16.7 sets out other mechanisms that can be used as an alternative or in conjunction with contempt to enforce support orders when an obligor fails to pay. That statute also sets out several mechanisms for securing the future payment of an alimony award at the time the court orders that support be paid. Several of those mechanisms are authorized by G.S. 50-16.7(b), which states broadly that