Alimony is a complex subject in any divorce. Few spouses want to pay it, and few spouses who receive it feel as though they are getting enough. When neither side is likely to be satisfied with the outcome of a particular issue in a divorce, it is especially important to understand the law so you know your options and have some idea of what to expect. In this blog, we will give a brief overview of the basics of alimony in Texas; keep in mind that this is not legal advice and that the best source for answers to your questions is an experienced Hurst divorce attorney.
First Things First: What is Alimony?
Alimony in Texas is technically known as “spousal maintenance.” The “obligee” is the person who receives spousal maintenance, and the “obligor” is the person who pays it. Spousal maintenance is money given from the obligor to the obligee after a divorce to give the obligee time to become financially self-sustaining after a marriage ends. Alimony is most common in marriages in which one spouse forfeited their career or educational potential to care for children or support their spouse’s career. Spousal support payments today tend not to last as long nor be as large as they have in the past.
Does the Wife Always Get Alimony in Texas?
No. In fact, while either spouse can request spousal maintenance, payments are not automatically given to anyone and certain conditions must be met before a judge will order spousal maintenance. These are:
...