Spousal Support & Maintenance Lawyers in Frisco, Texas

Needing or Defending Against Spousal Support Claims During or After a Divorce in Collin, Denton, and surrounding counties?

If you are going through a divorce, you may be wondering about things like alimony and have possibly heard the terms “spousal maintenance” and “temporary spousal support”. These are important issues to consider, as they can have a significant impact on your financial well-being.

Spousal maintenance, sometimes referred to as alimony, is a payment made from one spouse to another after a divorce. Temporary spousal support, on the other hand, is a payment made during the pendency of a divorce case to help support a spouse who may not have access to sufficient resources during the proceedings.

Navigating the legal system to determine if you are eligible for spousal maintenance or temporary spousal support can be complex and overwhelming. However, having a basic understanding of the law in Texas can help you better prepare for what lies ahead.

Spousal Maintenance

Spousal maintenance, also known as alimony, is discussed in Chapter 8 of the Texas Family Code, and it is a payment that one spouse makes to the other after a divorce. It is intended to provide financial support to the spouse who is economically disadvantaged and unable to support themselves adequately.

In Texas, spousal maintenance is only awarded in certain circumstances. The spouse seeking maintenance must demonstrate that they lack sufficient property to provide for their minimum reasonable needs and must also prove that they are unable to earn sufficient income to meet those needs.

The court will also consider other factors when determining whether to award spousal maintenance, including the duration of the marriage, the age and health of the spouses, the education and employment skills of the spouse seeking maintenance, and whether there was any marital misconduct.

It is important to note that spousal maintenance in Texas is not a permanent arrangement. The duration and amount of spousal maintenance will depend on the specific circumstances of the case, and can be modified or terminated in certain situations.  The typical range for spousal maintenance is as follows:

It is important to consult with a qualified Family Law | Divorce attorney to understand your rights and obligations with respect to spousal maintenance in Texas, and to ensure that your rights are protected throughout the divorce process.

Temporary Spousal Support

When couples decide to divorce, there may be a need for one spouse to receive financial support during the process. This is known as temporary spousal support, and it’s intended to assist the spouse who earns less income or is unable to support themselves during the divorce.

In most cases, temporary spousal support will be based on the requesting spouse’s financial need and the other spouse’s ability to pay.

To determine the amount of temporary spousal support, the court will consider a number of factors, such as the requesting spouse’s financial need, the other spouse’s ability to pay, the length of the marriage, the age and health of each spouse, and the education and employment history of each spouse.

It’s important to note that temporary spousal support is intended to be a temporary measure and will end once the divorce is finalized. However, if spousal maintenance is awarded in the final divorce decree, it may be possible to continue receiving financial support beyond the divorce.

If you’re going through a divorce and believe you may be entitled to temporary spousal support, it’s important to speak with an experienced family law attorney to understand your legal rights and options and guide you through the legal process to ensure that you receive the financial support you need during this difficult time.

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Is Spousal Maintenance or Temporary Spousal Support an Issue for your Texas Divorce?

It’s been said that marriage is like a partnership. And like any partnership, each person has a role to play. When the partnership ends, it’s natural for one party to experience a financial setback. That’s where spousal maintenance and temporary spousal support come in.

In Texas, spousal maintenance and temporary spousal support are meant to provide financial assistance to the spouse who has the lower earning capacity, at least until they are able to become self-supporting. However, obtaining spousal maintenance or temporary spousal support is not always an easy feat.

If you find yourself in need of financial assistance during or after a divorce, it’s important to consult with a knowledgeable family law attorney who can help you navigate the legal system and ensure that your rights are protected. At The Ridgely Law Firm, our experienced Divorce Lawyers will help you achieve the best possible outcome in your Collin | Denton County divorce matter.  Schedule a Free in initial consultation to learn how our Spousal Maintenance lawyers can help.