Unlike most other states, Texas law limits the amount of spousal maintenance that judges may award. Monthly payments may not exceed $5,000 or 20% of the supporting spouse's average monthly gross income, whichever is less. Monthly gross income includes income from all sources except: Social Security retirement benefits.
The court-ordered monthly amount of spousal maintenance can be at most $5,000 or 20% of the paying spouse's average monthly gross income, and whichever is lower of those two.
In Texas, some things can disqualify you from spousal support. These include: Cohabitation: If you live with someone else in a marriage-like relationship, you may be disqualified for spousal support. Remarriage: If you remarry before your spousal support obligation ends, you may be disqualified for further payments.
After a divorce, it's common for one spouse to make payments to the other as part of the divorce agreement. These payments can be alimony, child support or a mix of both.
Texas courts only order permanent spousal support in cases where a spouse or child is disabled. A couple can agree to spousal support lasting longer than 10 years as part of a settlement. In most cases, courts limit the timeframe based on how long the marriage lasted: 10-20 years – no more than 5 years.
Eligibility For Spousal Maintenance In Texas To qualify for spousal maintenance, a spouse must convincingly demonstrate a need for financial assistance, grounded in specific circumstances that impede their ability to provide for their minimum reasonable needs.
You'll need to submit proof of all of your income streams when you apply for a mortgage, and lenders consider alimony checks to be a valid source of income.
A lender or broker may ask whether income stated in your application comes from alimony, child support, or separate maintenance payments. However, the lender or broker must tell you that you do not have to reveal such income if you do not want it considered.