A legal separation can often leave an ex-spouse with a great financial burden to bear. After a divorce, people in Texas who find themselves without the financial resources to pay their basic living expenses, can be entitled to collect spousal support.

People throughout central Texas look to Austin divorce attorney Dax Garvin to help them understand the definition of spousal support/spousal maintenance under Texas law, from who is eligible to receive payments, to who pays, and how. Contact us for a consultation on this and other family law matters.

Spousal Support in Texas

In Texas, spousal support-also referred to as spousal maintenance or alimony-is used as a temporary, rehabilitative source of income for a spouse who is unable to support themselves immediately following a divorce. The maximum amount of support a spouse can receive will be the lesser of a fixed amount per month, or a percentage of the paying spouse's gross monthly income. It is important for clients to understand that spousal support payments are a specific amount of money, over a length of time as determined by the court before the receiving spouse must begin supporting themselves.

Changes in economic circumstances for the payer or receiver can result in modifications to spousal support payments. Because support can only be modified downward in Texas, a knowledgeable attorney is necessary to help determine the proper amount of an initial support award. While at the minimum support stops when the receiving spouse becomes financially self-sufficient, spousal support may be paid for up to three years, and may be extended in certain cases.

A Calmer, Friendlier Divorce

Hashing out spousal support, property settlements, and child support through the court can take its toll on a family. Our firm also offers less confrontational approaches to resolving these types of divorce concerns, including mediation and collaborative methods.