Spousal Support & Maintenance

Houston Spanish-Speaking Alimony Lawyer

When household income is earned primarily by one spouse while the other spouse provides homemaking, child-rearing or other contributions to the household, the dissolution of marriage can bring significant financial concerns for the spouse lacking regular income. Spousal support or spousal maintenance (also referred to as alimony) may be negotiated or ordered by the court in certain situations where there is a demonstrated need for financial support either for a short-term or long-term basis.

An experienced divorce attorney will explain Texas divorce laws and help you understand their relevancy in your situation. With over 25 years of experience, attorney Terry L. Hart has the knowledge, skills and practical experience to advise clients of their potential right to receive, or obligation to pay, temporary spousal support or long-term alimony.

Texas Spousal Support/Alimony Laws

Spousal support or spousal maintenance (also referred to as alimony) is determined on a case-by-case basis. Although financial support may be sufficiently addressed in the division of assets and liabilities in property settlement agreements, the Court will determine what support (if any) should be awarded in contested divorce cases after consideration of a number of factors.

In a Texas divorce case, one spouse may be ordered to pay spousal support or spousal maintenance (alimony) to the other spouse in two instances:

• Temporary spousal support: Spousal support may be ordered to be paid on a temporary basis during the pendency of the divorce case pursuant to temporary orders whenever the Court considers the payment of temporary spousal support to be necessary and equitable under the circumstances of the case. In addition to temporary spousal support awarded during the pendency of the divorce case, the Court may consider ordering temporary support for a reasonable period after the final divorce decree to allow a spouse the opportunity to acquire the education or skills necessary to re-enter the workforce.
• Post-divorce spousal maintenance: A spouse may be ordered to pay post-divorce spousal maintenance (alimony) only in specific circumstances defined in the Texas Family Code. A spouse may be entitled to post-divorce spousal maintenance if he or she is incapable of earning reasonable income due to a physical or mental illness or disability. A spouse may also be entitled to post-divorce spousal maintenance if he or she is the custodial parent of a child with a physical or mental disability, and the special needs of the child prevent the spouse from working.

Mr. Hart accepts cases involving issues of temporary spousal support or post-divorce spousal maintenance/alimony. He is located in the Galleria area of Houston, and is available to discuss your legal needs in an initial consultation.

For a free consultation with a Houston Spanish-speaking alimony attorney: Contact Terry Hart to discuss your legal questions. Se habla español.