How long do you pay alimony in Texas?

For example, you may pay or receive alimony for five years if the marriage lasted between 10 and 20 years, or up to seven years if your marriage lasted between 20 and 30 years. You may also be able to obtain alimony if your marriage lasted less than 10 years, but your spouse was abusive during your union.

What is alimony and spousal maintenance in Texas?

Alimony is the most commonly used term for a regular payment one spouse makes to the other spouse to provide support during or after a divorce proceeding. The spouses may agree to alimony, or the court may order it. In Texas, a court order for alimony is called “spousal maintenance.”

How long do you have to pay alimony in Texas?

While some states may allow for indefinite alimony payments, Texas places strict limits on the lengths of time and the situations that one spouse will be required to pay the other. The length of time allotted for alimony payments is based on the length of the marriage itself. The maximum amount of time that judges will consider is ten years.

Can a judge order an alimony modification in Texas?

It’s important to understand that until the judge hears your request for an alimony modification, you must continue to follow the court order. Texas is unique in that, unlike many other states, the law limits the amount of support a court can order.

Can a payor ask a court to reduce alimony?

The most common reason a payor spouse asks the court to reduce alimony or end paying alimony is that of losing a job. Your ability to pay played a big role in determining your initial alimony payments. If you’ve lost your ability to pay then you have a good chance of reducing your alimony.

Can a payor reduce the amount of alimony?

The law allows the payor spouse to terminate or reduce his alimony obligation if he can show that a supportive relationship exists between the payee spouse and a new significant other. The burden is to prove your case “more likely than not”, or 51% more likely.