Navigating The Issue Of Spousal Maintenance For Clients
One of the most common concerns during divorce is whether someone will have to pay their former spouse alimony, which is made up of monthly payments that could continue for years after the divorce is final. While some Texas family law cases require one party to pay the other alimony, it is less than you might think, as judges require couples to meet certain criteria. If you're worried about being ordered to pay alimony, also called spousal maintenance, you should talk to a skilled lawyer about your case. When you hire Kamal Law Firm, we can review the details of your divorce and let you know if you or your spouse might have to pay alimony. Call our Houston, Texas law office to get answers to questions about your divorce case.
Who Qualifies For Alimony In Texas?
The Texas legal system has strict requirements in place when it comes to who can receive alimony after divorce. First, the marriage must have lasted at least ten years. If this is the case, the judge will consider if the spouse requesting alimony can financially support themselves without their former spouse's income If their assets and income are too low to meet their basic, and they are unlikely to be able to change that, they might be awarded alimony. For instance, if they are disabled or stay home to care for their disabled child, they may need to rely on alimony to pay their bills. However, if the spouse has the potential to earn more by finding a better-paying job or working more hours, they are unlikely to receive alimony.
Another way for a spouse to qualify for alimony is if they can prove their former spouse was convicted of family violence within the last two years. If their ex-spouse harmed them or their child during that period, they could receive alimony even if the marriage did not last ten years or more. Your alimony attorney will inform you if you qualify to receive or pay alimony based on these requirements.
How Much Will The Alimony Payments Be?
If alimony is ordered in the divorce case, the next step is determining how much to expect the payments to be. This is up to the judge to decide based on a variety of factors, including:
The length of the marriage
Each spouse's ability to afford their basic needs
Each spouse's education level and job skills
The age, job history, health, and earning capacity of the spouse requesting alimony
Contributions of each spouse to the marriage, like managing the home and children while the other worked or studied.
How long will it take a spouse to get training for employment and self-support
Reasons for divorce include adultery or cruelty by one spouse
Once the judge takes these factors into account, they will assess the gross income of the spouse responsible for alimony. In this state, monthly alimony payments are limited to either $35,000 or 20 percent of the paying spouse's monthly income, whichever amount is lower. If you have inquiries about what to expect for spousal maintenance, please reach out to our law office for an alimony attorney to evaluate your case.
How Long Does Alimony Last?
Deciding the duration of alimony payments is crucial in your case. Typically, it depends on the purpose of alimony and the marriage length. For instance, temporary spousal maintenance ends when the is finalized. Alimony can last up to five years for marriages between 10-20 years, and up to seven years for those lasting 20-30 years. If your marriage exceeds 30 years, payments may for ten years. Payments may also end early if the recipient remarries or cohabits. You can agree on alimony terms without a court order, and a fair plan is likely to be approved by the judge. Contact our Houston, TX law offices for assistance.
Are You Ready To Contact An Alimony Attorney In Houston, TX?
Divorce requires you to consider several family law matters, which is why it's so important to hire a skilled lawyer to guide you through your case. While alimony is not a factor in every divorce, it's a topic that will likely arise you prepare for the legal process. It helps to know whether you or your will likely be ordered to pay spousal maintenance, or if your case qualifies for. You deserve to feel informed about your case as your divorce progresses. After all, the outcome of your family law case will affect your life for years, so it's essential that you are a part of the process from start to finish. Whether you need to figure out the details regarding child custody, division, or alimony, you can get the answers you need from an attorney when you hire Kamal Law Firm for your case. Call us at 713-322-4080 to schedule a consultation with a compassionate alimony attorney in Houston, TX.