Galveston County Spousal Support Lawyers

Richmond Law Firm is a dependable advocate for families settling complex and highly emotional legal matters, including spousal support and maintenance disputes. Our team works to make sure clients are informed at every step of their legal journeys and strives to settle cases as amicably as possible, saving time, money, and stress. 

If you are searching for a spousal support attorney in Galveston, Harris, or Brazoria counties who you can trust to secure a fair outcome in your case, turn to Richmond Law Firm. We offer free initial consultations, which we can conduct virtually. Additionally, in an effort to keep our family law services affordable, we can set up flexible payment plans. 

Call (281) 992-1600 or reach out online to start with Richmond Law Firm. From our Friendswood office, we proudly serve Galveston, Harris, and Brazoria counties.

Spousal Support, Spousal Maintenance, & Alimony in Texas

While many people use the terms “spousal support,” “spousal maintenance,” and “alimony” interchangeably, Texas law makes specific distinctions between them:

• Spousal support generally refers to voluntary financial assistance between spouses, either during or after divorce. Such agreements are typically negotiated between the parties without court involvement.
• Spousal maintenance is court-ordered financial assistance provided to an ex-spouse, governed by strict Texas legal guidelines. Courts only award spousal maintenance in limited circumstances, such as when a spouse lacks sufficient property or income to meet basic needs.
• Alimony is a broader term not officially recognized under Texas law but often used informally to refer to court-ordered and voluntary spousal payments.

How Courts Determine Spousal Maintenance

Texas courts approach spousal maintenance with careful consideration, as their primary focus is on encouraging financial independence post-divorce. 

A judge will assess several factors before granting spousal maintenance, including but not limited to:

• The duration of the marriage (spousal maintenance is more likely in marriages lasting 10 years or longer).
• The financial resources and earning abilities of each spouse.
• Whether the requesting spouse is disabled or must care for a child with special needs, limiting their ability to work.
• Whether domestic violence occurred during the marriage.

Is Getting Spousal Maintenance Difficult?

Securing spousal maintenance in Texas can be challenging due to the restrictive nature of the state’s laws. Courts take a cautious approach, reserving maintenance for situations where the requesting spouse demonstrates genuine financial need. 

Given the high threshold for court-ordered maintenance, negotiating spousal support can be a practical alternative. Couples who work together to create agreements benefit from greater flexibility in terms of payment amounts and duration. Negotiation can also expedite legal processes and reduce costs. Richmond Law Firm provides valuable guidance in these discussions and can help individuals achieve fair agreements suited to their financial circumstances and future needs. 

The Duration of Spousal Support & Maintenance in Texas

Texas law imposes strict limits on how long spousal maintenance can last. The duration is typically tied to the length of the marriage, as follows:

• 5 years maximum for marriages lasting less than 10 years, where family violence occurred, or for marriages lasting 10 to 20 years.
• 7 years maximum for marriages lasting 20 to 30 years.
• 10 years maximum for marriages of 30 years or more.

Payments typically cease when the receiving spouse remarries, cohabitates with a new partner, or becomes financially independent. 

Spousal support, on the other hand, is voluntary and agreed upon by the parties involved. This means that it is not subject to the same durational limits outlined above.