Houston Alimony and Spousal Support Lawyer
Life as a married couple is different from life as a single person. Marriages are a partnership and often household, financial, and child-rearing duties are split between the two parties.
During a marriage, often one spouse provides the majority of the financial support for the household. Although the two parties bring in different levels of income, both parties enjoy the benefits of the combined earned income.
When a couple in this situation chooses to divorce, one spouse may find that they would be placed into financial hardship based solely on the monetary income that they bring to the household. This is usually the spouse who is primarily responsible for the maintenance of the home and the raising of the children.
If you believe that you may be obligated to pay spousal support, or eligible to receive it, then speaking with an experienced Alimony Attorney can help you understand exactly what to expect.
Call Davis and Associates at (281) 377-4718 for a Free Consultation!
How Texas Spousal Support is Calculated
In Texas, spousal support is also known as spousal maintenance. It’s awarded in some situations but not all. A common misconception is that it is automatically awarded to the lower-income earning partner but that is not the case. The amount of the financial support and the duration are determined on a case by case basis.
The following factors are taken into account when it comes to how Texas Family Court determines spousal support:
- The income and income-earning potential of both spouses
- The education levels and employable skills of each spouse
- The length of the marriage
- The age, physical and emotional health, and abilities of each spouse
- The “contributions” of each spouse to the marriage, not to exclude homemaking or child rearing
- The individual and community properties and resources of each spouse
- Any acts of domestic violence committed by either spouse
Furthermore, Texas law places limits on the amount of spousal support that can be awarded. For instance, the maximum amount of spousal maintenance that can be awarded is either $5,000 per month or 20% of the paying spouse’s average monthly gross income, whichever is less. There are also guidelines for determining the duration a spouse must pay the support.
That is another reason why it is important to consult with experienced Texas family law attorneys like those at Davis and Associates.
At Davis and Associates, we have a unique, state-of-the-art software that will calculate your support obligation/payment. Utilizing this type of software, we can accurately predict what you can expect to pay, or what you can expect to receive, in spousal support.
Alimony Negotiation and Modification
In Texas, spousal support, also known as spousal maintenance, may be modified or terminated if there is a significant change in circumstances.
The circumstances that may result in spousal support renegotiation or modification generally include situations where the financial circumstances of either the paying party or the party receiving the payments significantly change. This can be due to job loss, disability, or illness. Conversely, a significant increase in the receiving spouse’s income can also be a cause for a modification.
A material and substantial change in the needs of the receiving spouse or the ability of the paying spouse to pay. The occurrence of a significant event that was not anticipated at the time the original spousal support order was issued, such as winning the lottery or receiving a large inheritance.
It’s important to note that spousal support can only be modified or terminated through a court order, your Houston family attorney at [Company] will be able to help you through this process.
Simply stopping or reducing payments without a court order can result in legal consequences, including being held in contempt of court. Therefore, if you believe that your spousal support order should be modified or terminated, you should seek the assistance of an experienced family law attorney to guide you through the legal process and help you achieve your desired outcome.
Free Consultation with an Experienced Alimony Attorney
Our Houston alimony attorneys are motivated and ready to discuss your case, our process, and how we can work together to get the best results possible for you.
Call Davis and Associates at (281) 377-4718 for a Free Consultation!