Deer Park Alimony Lawyer

Spousal Support Lawyer in the Greater Houston Area

During divorce negotiations, measures will be taken to ensure that both parties can survive financially, now that they will be on their own, and not sharing the cost of household expenses. If there is a large disparity between the incomes of the two spouses, the spouse who makes more money may be expected to pay alimony, or spousal support.

How is Spousal Support & Alimony Defined in Texas?

Spousal support, like child support, is a set amount of money that one spouse is expected to pay to the other to help them out with the necessities of life, such as groceries, clothing, bills, and rent or mortgage payments.

Alimony is usually a temporary circumstance, set in motion until a time when the person receiving support can reasonably be expected to make ends meet without support. In some cases, the support may become a permanent necessity, if, for example, one spouse becomes permanently disabled and cannot work. How long your marriage lasted, the ability of each party to pay support, how much money both parties make, and whether or not someone is disabled all factor in to determining a fair amount of spousal support.

However, if, over time, needs have changed, you may need to consider a modification of spousal support, where the court will go over the newest information and determine if the set amount is fair, too high, too low, or altogether unnecessary. In all of these instances, you will want to have an experienced family law attorney by your side that is committed to fighting for your best interests, and is aggressively pursuing a resolution that reflects your goals and objectives.

How is Spousal Support Calculated in Texas?

Every case is different and there is no specific formula that will give you an exact number. In general, the judge will require that the spouse who is ordered to pay support will pay more than the lesser of $5,000 or 20% of his or her gross monthly income.

How Long Do You Have to Pay Alimony?

There is general rule of thumb that you will pay alimony for half of the amount that your marriage lasted. This is not true for every case, as different circumstances may lead to unique payment plans.

How a Lawyer Can Help You With Spousal Support

Spousal support can be a frustrating aspect of divorce proceedings. If you feel you are being forced to pay too much, or more than you can afford, you may not know what to do. Conversely, if your ex-spouse is trying to pay less support each month, you may end up struggling to make ends meet.

Divorce Attorneys in Deer Park, Texas

At Slate & Associates, Attorneys at Law, we are aware of the complexities of spousal support/alimony, and we are dedicated to seeing that our clients' needs are met, so that they can move forward form their divorce with financial stability and well being. With over 100 years of combined experience, we can help you with all aspects of your divorce, including asset division, child custody, and more. We have helped numerous clients through their divorces over the years, and we may be able to help you, as well.