Spousal Support in Texas
State-specific overview · Family Law
Texas limits spousal support to three years or longer marriages and caps monthly payments at the lesser of $5,000 or 20% of gross income.
How Texas treats Spousal Support
Texas restricts spousal maintenance to marriages lasting at least ten years, or three years if the paying spouse was convicted of family violence. The maximum duration is five years for marriages of ten to twenty years, and indefinite for marriages exceeding twenty years. Monthly payments cannot exceed $5,000 or 20% of the paying spouse's gross monthly income, whichever is less. Courts must find that the recipient cannot meet minimum reasonable needs through employment.
The general definition of Spousal Support
Court-ordered payments from one spouse to another, typically during or after divorce proceedings.
Spousal support, also called maintenance or alimony, is money one spouse pays to the other to help with living expenses during or after a divorce. It recognizes that one spouse may have sacrificed career opportunities during the marriage or may have lower earning potential. Courts consider factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning ability, and their age and health when determining if support is appropriate and how much to award. Spousal support can be temporary (lasting only during the divorce process) or permanent (continuing indefinitely or for a set period).
Read the full Spousal Support entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Texas.