{"id":376565,"date":"2016-09-12T12:49:17","date_gmt":"2016-09-12T17:49:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/texas-law\/texas-alimony-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-12-11T12:00:34","modified_gmt":"2024-12-11T17:00:34","slug":"texas-alimony-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/texas-law\/texas-alimony-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Texas Alimony Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Texas Alimony Laws<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/susan-buckner-j-d\/\">Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/laura-temme-esq\/\">Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last reviewed\n        <time>\n                            December 11, 2024\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n<p>Texas law allows spouses to request alimony during divorce under certain conditions. Not all spouses qualify for alimony or spousal support. When a couple considers divorce, they should consult a divorce attorney.<\/p>\r\n<p>In Texas, &quot;alimony&quot; and &quot;spousal support&quot; have different meanings. Alimony is a regular monthly payment from one spouse to another. Courts will not order alimony payments, but couples can agree to them on their own.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/divorce\/spousal-support-faq.html\">Spousal support<\/a>, or spousal maintenance, is temporary and lasts only until the receiving spouse is financially self-supporting. A requesting spouse must meet eligibility requirements for an award of spousal maintenance.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Eligibility for Alimony in Texas<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>The court only orders support if the reason for their inability to provide for reasonable minimum needs is:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>Due to physical or mental disability<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Due to ongoing care of a special-needs child of the marriage who needs parental care due to a physical or mental disability<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>The marriage lasted 10 years or more<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Spousal maintenance is also ordered in a divorce proceeding if the obligor spouse was convicted of or got deferred adjudication for an act of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/domestic-violence.html\">family violence<\/a> committed within the last two years before the divorce action or during the divorce case itself.<\/p>\r\n<p>To qualify for spousal maintenance, the requesting spouse must show they can&#8217;t meet their minimum reasonable needs once the divorce is final. To determine the requesting spouse&#8217;s needs and financial status, courts look at:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>The length of the marriage. The duration of maintenance payments depends on the duration of the marriage (Texas Family Code <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/tx\/family-code\/fam-sect-8-054\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Section 8.054<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>The age, health, and employment history of both spouses<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>The education and employment skills of each spouse<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Financial resources of each spouse and the paying spouse&#8217;s ability to make support payments<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Contributions of each spouse to the marriage, including non-monetary contributions as homemaker and caring for children<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>The parties may agree to spousal support or alimony in their divorce settlement apart from the court order.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Amount and Duration of Spousal Maintenance Orders<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>If a recipient spouse qualifies for spousal maintenance, the judge determines the amount and duration based on Texas alimony laws.<\/p>\r\n<p>Texas courts may award the lesser of:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>$5,000 per month<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>20% of the paying spouse&#8217;s average monthly gross income<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Up to five years for marriages under 10 years if the paying spouse was convicted of domestic violence<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Up to five years for marriages 10-20 years long<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Up to seven years for marriages 20-30 years long<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Up to 10 years for marriages over 30 years long<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Indefinitely for disabled petitioners or parents of disabled children<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Can Unmarried Partners Get Alimony in Texas?<\/h2>\r\n<p>Generally, no. However, unmarried couples who have children together may still have to sort through issues of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/texas-law\/how-do-i-get-child-support-in-texas.html\">child support<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/texas-law\/texas-child-custody-laws.html\">child custody<\/a> if they split up. And there are some circumstances where people who are not technically married can benefit from spousal support (or something similar).<\/p>\r\n<p>You may have heard the term &quot;palimony&quot; used to refer to romantic partners who receive financial support after a breakup despite never being married. However, palimony is not a legal term and states do not typically provide for it by name.<\/p>\r\n<p>Some states allow for financial support similar to alimony based on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/living-together\/cohabitation-agreements.html\">cohabitation agreements<\/a>. However, these agreements must meet certain criteria to be enforceable.<\/p>\r\n<p>Texas generally disfavors palimony, and there are only limited circumstances in which parties that have not been legally married may make a claim for financial support.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Common Law Marriage in Texas<\/h3>\r\n<p>In some states, unmarried couples can be granted the same rights as a married couple through informal or &quot;common law&quot; marriage.<\/p>\r\n<p>Texas&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/texas-law\/common-law-marriage-in-texas.html\">recognizes common-law marriage<\/a>. So, in general, a person who would qualify for spousal support in a traditional marriage could also qualify if they are common law married.<\/p>\r\n<p>To be recognized as informally married, <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/tx\/family-code\/fam-sect-2-401.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">state law in Texas<\/a> requires a couple to:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>Agree to be married<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Live together as a couple<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Represent to others that they are married<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>&quot;Representing to others&quot; that you&#8217;re married is a little vague. Generally, this means doing things that make others believe you&#8217;re married. For example, introducing yourself as married, or having joint finances.<\/p>\r\n<h3><b>Annulment and Spousal Support in Texas<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/texas-law\/texas-annulment-and-prohibited-marriage-laws.html\">Annulment<\/a> is a process where the court finds that a marriage is legally invalid. In limited circumstances, a party to a marriage that was annulled (the &quot;putative spouse&quot;) may be eligible for &quot;maintenance,&quot; another term for spousal support. This would technically qualify as palimony since there was no legal marriage.<\/p>\r\n<p>The following chart outlines the qualifications for both annulment and spousal support that must be met under Texas law.<\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody><tr><td><p><b>Statute<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p>Texas Family Code <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/tx\/family-code\/fam-sect-8-060.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Title 1, Subtitle C, Chapter 8, Subchapter B, 8.060<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><b>Eligibility<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p>The putative spouse:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>Was unaware of the existing impediment to a valid marriage; and<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Is otherwise qualified to receive maintenance<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><b>Qualification<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><ul>\r\n<li><p>The paying spouse was convicted or received deferred adjudication for an act of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/domestic-violence.html\">family violence<\/a> committed either during the marriage (but no more than two years before the suit for divorce) or during the pendency of the divorce itself.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>The spouse seeking maintenance is unable to earn sufficient income to support their reasonable needs, and their inability is due to physical or mental disability, their responsibility as the custodian of a child of the marriage who needs exceptional care due to their physical or mental disability,<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>The marriage lasted 10 or more years.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><b>Duration<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p>Alimony awards are payable for:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p>Up to 5 years if the marriage lasted less than 10 years and the paying spouse was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/texas-law\/texas-domestic-violence-laws.html\">abusive<\/a>, or the marriage was 10-20 years long<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Up to 7 years if the marriage was 20-30 years long<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Up to 10 years if the marriage was more than 30 years long<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p>Where the petitioning spouse or their dependent child is disabled the alimony <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/emancipation-of-minors\/how-long-do-parents-legal-obligations-to-their-children-continue.html\">may be indefinite<\/a>, providing the underlying basis for alimony persists<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n<p><i><b>Note:<\/b> FindLaw strives to provide the most current information available. However, state laws are subject to change through the passage of new legislation, court rulings (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. Consulting with a <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/family-law\/texas\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Texas family law attorney<\/i><\/a><i> is the best way to determine how these laws might apply to your unique situation. <\/i><\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Texas Alimony Laws: Related Resources<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>For more information about alimony laws in Texas, see these articles:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/texas-law\/texas-legal-requirements-for-divorce.html\">Texas Divorce Laws<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/texas-law\/texas-family-laws.html\">Texas Family Laws<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/divorce\/spousal-support-alimony-basics.html\">Spousal Support (Alimony) Basics<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/texas-law\/common-law-marriage-in-texas.html\">Common Law Marriage in Texas<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<li><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/texas-law\/texas-annulment-and-prohibited-marriage-laws.html\">Texas Annulment and Prohibited Marriage Laws<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><b>Get Legal Advice from a Texas Family Law Attorney<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Texas spousal maintenance laws differ from those of many other states. The goal is still to leave ex-spouses with sufficient income to survive post-divorce. Couples need legal advice from an experienced <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/divorce\/texas?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Texas divorce lawyer<\/a> before deciding about alimony.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" 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class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                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                 id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\">\n        <div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Divorces are tough and a lawyer can seek the best outcome\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    A lawyer can help protect your children&#8217;s interests\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Divorce lawyers can secure alimony, visitation rights, and property division\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>Get tailored divorce advice and ask a lawyer questions. 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<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn more about Texas spousal maintenance and alimony laws, factors determining eligibility for support, and links to Texas statutes with 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