Alimony/Spousal Support

Spousal support or “maintenance” is not awarded in every divorce.

When you need help with a maintenance claim, call our Fort Worth alimony law firm. The attorneys at Sisemore Law Firm, P.C. understand the details of Texas alimony law.  For example, Texas does not recognize an absolute legal obligation for one spouse to support another, and spousal support is not awarded in every divorce. You need experienced Fort Worth spousal support lawyers to ensure you receive the maintenance to which you are entitled.

What Our Law Firm Can Do To Help

Our Fort Worth lawyers can help you understand your right to spousal support, also known as alimony or maintenance. While child support lasts until a minor child reaches the age of legal majority, spousal support may not be permanent, or even enduring. Courts typically intend to help both spouses become self-supporting, and maintenance is only meant to be paid for as long as necessary. A spousal support order may have a definite ending date, may be subject to modification if financial situations change, or may be terminated on the death or remarriage of the receiving spouse.

Considerations When Awarding Texas Spousal Support

Under the Texas Family Code, once a court determines a spouse is eligible to receive maintenance, the court will determine the nature, amount, duration and manner of periodic payments by considering a number of factors, including:

  • Financial resources of the spouse seeking maintenance
  • Education and employment skills of both spouses
  • Duration of the marriage
  • Age, employment history, earning ability, and physical and emotional condition of the spouse seeking maintenance
  • Ability of the other spouse to meet maintenance needs along with any applicable child support payments
  • Acts of destruction, concealment or fraudulent disposition of community property by either spouse
  • Comparative financial resources
  • Property brought to the marriage by either spouse
  • Contribution of a spouse as homemaker
  • Marital misconduct of spouse seeking maintenance
  • Efforts by spouse seeking maintenance to pursue available employment counseling

These factors must be clearly addressed by your child support attorney at the maintenance hearing. Perhaps you have primary custody and the needs of your children prevent you from working. Perhaps you stayed home to raise the children and are not readily employable in the workforce. Our Fort Worth divorce lawyers thoroughly prepare for your hearing and ensure the court understands your financial status when deciding how much maintenance to order.

Contact Our Fort Worth Attorneys To Discuss Alimony

Maintenance hearings can be complex, often involving a number of supplemental considerations, including tax implications. If you are concerned about your ability to obtain appropriate maintenance, talk to an experienced spousal support attorney at our firm. Contact Sisemore Law Firm, P.C., at (817) 336-4444 today for an initial consultation.