Alimony & Spousal Support
While child support is a common part of life in Texas, state law prevents family court judges from ordering the payment of alimony. However, there are provisions in place that allow the awarding of spousal support or spousal maintenance based on the duration of the marriage, and on the ability of each spouse to provide for their own needs.
How is a fair level of support determined?
Even in cases where spousal support payments are awarded, they are likely to be limited by several factors. Currently, Texas state law sets guidelines and boundaries that include:
- Setting the length of payments, based upon the duration of the marriage
- Capping the length of payments to a maximum of 10 years
- Limiting payments to the lesser of $5,000/month or 20% of the spouse’s average monthly income
Many couples with a high net worth or substantial assets may find that these restrictions will not support the standard of living they are used to. As a result, they may opt to intensify their focus on the division of assets. When that happens, it is important to have attorneys that are also adept at complex asset division.
In those cases where spousal support or maintenance is under consideration, our attorneys work diligently to make sure that the terms and conditions are fair and appropriate. To discuss how you can best protect your financial well-being after divorce, contact us to arrange a no-obligation consultation.
