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.
Texas law sets forth general guidelines for calculating spousal maintenance, including limitations on the amount and duration of payments. 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.
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.
Texas is one of the most difficult states to win alimony in a divorce. While it is possible to win alimony or spousal support in court, it is much more likely to receive alimony through a private contract created as part of the divorce settlement.
No, spousal support is not mandatory in Texas. In the case of a divorce where a spouse is seeking spousal support, the judge will ensure that the situation meets the requirements laid out in Texas law in order to qualify for spousal support.
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.
What do I do if I want alimony? You can ask for alimony as part of a divorce proceeding. If you and your spouse reach an agreement about alimony, you can ask the judge to make the agreement a part of the court order. If you cannot reach an agreement, the judge will decide whether you are entitled to alimony.