Alimony Lawyer in The Woodlands
Helping Couples Part Ways and Preserve their Finances
Texas has some of the most complex state alimony laws in the country. Alimony, also known as spousal maintenance, is financial support from one spouse to the other. This is crucial for certain spouses who are unable to provide for themselves after the divorce is finalized. However, the final spousal support decision should be fair for both spouses.
The laws in Texas restrict who is eligible for spousal maintenance after divorce. Generally speaking, the spouse seeking spousal maintenance must prove they will not have sufficient means after divorce to support their minimum reasonable needs. To better understand whether you deserve spousal support in your divorce settlement, reach out to our family law attorney in The Woodlands, TX right away.
We are firm, fair, and always advocate for our clients, whether fighting for spousal support to sustain a spouse’s lifestyle and family after divorce or taking a defensive approach and ensuring our clients don’t get financially taken advantage of. You can trust our team of attorneys to watch out for your interests, whether that means fighting for child custody, fair property division, spousal support, or other matters that arise in family law cases.
At our divorce law firm, you get a free case review to answer your questions at no cost. Call 713-766-3733 to schedule your free consultation with our dedicated, aggressive spousal support lawyers.
What is Alimony?
Alimony is an agreed-upon payment that one spouse makes to the other during or after divorce. It is also known as spousal maintenance or support and should not be confused with child support. Most people fight for alimony to limit unfair financial advantages after the divorce between a high-income earner and a low-income earner. Spousal support may also be appropriate when a spouse needs temporary help while they get training or further education. In certain cases, permanent spousal support is necessary for an ill or aging individual.
Court-ordered alimony is challenging in Texas, so it’s wise to get our attorneys involved if you cannot agree with your soon-to-be ex-spouse. Your divorce lawyer can help with various aspects of the divorce process, including offering legal counsel, representing you in mediation, and fighting for your interests in court.
Texas law mandates that spousal support be no more than $5,000 per month or 20 percent of the payer’s average monthly income. There is also a limit on how long a spouse has to pay alimony if it gets approved. For instance, alimony should not exceed sixty months if the marriage lasted at least ten years.
Contact our family law firm immediately to learn more about your rights regarding spousal maintenance in your Texas divorce.
How are Minimum Reasonable Needs Defined in Texas?
Whether you are a spouse seeking financial support or are the spouse paying alimony, you should understand what is considered a reasonable need according to Texas family law. Many individuals misunderstand and think that spousal support will provide a certain lifestyle. However, the spouse seeking maintenance must show they cannot provide for their “minimum reasonable needs” to get alimony support. This refers to only the essentials, including food, clothing, housing, and utilities.
The common misconception in divorce that a spouse must pay alimony so the other spouse can maintain the same lifestyle is not true. While it may be valid for divorce cases in other states, it is not how the law works in Texas.
When you hire us to manage your divorce proceedings, we will help you fight for alimony if there is a basis for it. We can negotiate more generous terms on your behalf by working directly with your spouse and their attorney, as the court doesn’t have much weight here.
Rest assured, we will negotiate on your behalf if you do not have the financial means or employment opportunities available. We can look at temporary alimony or other options to get you on your feet. Call our divorce and family law attorneys immediately, especially in critical cases such as those that involve domestic violence.
How Can I Avoid Paying Alimony?
Alimony is not a requirement in a Texas divorce. A spouse must be eligible to receive alimony first. The court reviews various factors, from the length of the marriage, child support obligations, marital misconduct, property of both spouses, and much more.
One way to avoid alimony is to end the marriage as soon as possible. Alimony is based on the duration of the marriage, so if you know it’s not going to work out, don’t prolong it. A couple must be married for ten years to qualify for spousal support in Texas.
Another way to avoid alimony is not to cheat. A spouse might have some bargaining power regarding alimony if a spouse cheated in the marriage. Lastly, get a good attorney. We might be able to help you avoid alimony altogether or reduce the amount using different strategies depending on the circumstances.
How Can an Alimony Attorney Help Me?
At Morgan Bourque Attorney at Law, our experienced alimony lawyers are knowledgeable in many areas of family law, including divorce and spousal maintenance. This puts our clients at an advantage as our suite of services helps couples more seamlessly navigate some of the toughest challenges in life.
We have fought for low-income earners who need a financial cushion after divorce and high-income earners who want to protect their earnings. We always fight for what’s fair and suitable for our clients based on their circumstances. We will leverage our experience, knowledge, and skills to seek an outcome that meets your current and future needs.
Divorce is never easy, nor are the decisions that go along with it. When you need legal representation that advocates for your particular situation, choose Morgan Bourque Attorney at Law. Schedule your consultation to see how we can help you fight your fight!
Should You Hire Our Woodlands Alimony Attorneys?
When your marriage relationship ends, it can be stressful for many reasons. One source of worry may be regarding your financial future. If you are a spouse without an education or workplace skill, you may be eligible for spousal support to help. A Woodlands divorce lawyer like those at our law firm can help you understand your rights and seek the spousal support you need to move on to a new and brighter future.
You can rely on our divorce lawyers for honest, clear answers that are easy to understand. We will work tirelessly to get you the best possible outcome. We also fight for individuals who are divorcing someone seeking spousal support. We will protect your best interests by fighting for a fair agreement that allows you to have the financial stability you need.
Call 713-766-3733 to speak with our spousal support lawyers in a complimentary case evaluation.