Katy Alimony Lawyers

How Is Spousal Support Determined?

Not every person will be entitled to a support award. There are various requirements that must be met, and the court will review each case to determine if an award is appropriate and for how long the support should be received or paid.

The amount and duration of spousal support that may be awarded in Texas depends on several factors, including:

• The length of the marriage
• The ability of the spouse to provide for him or herself
• The earning ability of the spouse seeking alimony payments
• The contributions to the marriage from the alimony-seeking spouse
• The education and career skills of the spouse requesting support

Our team is ready to help you, no matter what situation you may be in with your case. We have helped many spouses obtain alimony and we have also helped many clients fight back against alimony requests. Whatever the specific goals in your case, we are well-positioned to help you get results.

How Long Does Alimony Last in Texas?

Once it is demonstrated that one spouse is eligible to receive alimony, the court determines the amount and duration. Awards are generally awarded for marriages that lasted longer than 10 years -- for marriages lesser than 10 years, the award is only granted if the paying partner was abusive.

Alimony will last a maximum of 5 years if the marriage lasted 10-20 years, 7 years if the marriage was between 20-30 years, and up to 10 years if the marriage was longer than 30 years. Alimony may only be indefinite if the receiving spouse is taking care of a disabled child or disabled themselves.

Petitioning the Court to Reduce or Terminate Your Alimony Payments

Alimony is not designed to last forever, especially given how frequently one’s circumstances may change. If your financial situation changed substantially or if your former spouse’s situation changed substantially, you may be able to successfully reduce or terminate your payments.

If you involuntarily lost your job or experienced an involuntary reduction in income, you can petition the court to reduce your alimony payments. If you quit your job in an effort to avoid paying alimony to your former spouse, however, it is highly unlikely a judge will grant your request. You may also petition the court for a reduction or termination of these payments if you developed a condition that prevents you from maintaining gainful employment.

There are also some circumstances in which you may terminate or reduce alimony payments based on your former spouse’s current living situation. For example, if our ex remarries, your alimony payments will automatically be terminated. Your alimony payments may also be terminated if your former spouse lives with a new partner.

If you want to schedule a consultation with one of our divorce lawyers in Katy, please call (281) 990-6025 or send us an email.