Call Us Today 713-225-6200
Ramos Law Group Mary E. Ramos selected as a Texas Super Lawyer
Ramos Law Group is Houstons Top Lawyer awards from 2015-2020
Ramos Law Group Board Certified: Texas board of legal specialization award for family law
Ramos Law Group A plus rating in the BBB
Ramos Law Group is part of the Texas Bar College
Ramos Law Group won Expertise.com best divorce lawyers in Houston 2022 award
Ramos Law Group 10.0 rating on avvo

At the Ramos Law Group, PLLC, our Sugar Land attorneys focus our energy, passion, and skills on getting successful results for clients. We have extensive experience handling complex spousal support cases, including representing people in high net worth divorce cases and cases with spousal maintenance.  If you have questions about spousal maintenance, we are here to offer assistance. For a strictly private initial consultation with a top-rated Texas family law attorney, please contact us at our Sugar Land office today. 

An Overview Of Texas Spousal Maintenance Laws

Once a divorce has been initiated and/or finalized, the financially disadvantaged spouse may be awarded payments from their former partner. These payments are known as spousal maintenance—or alternatively, as spousal support. Other states may refer to these payments as alimony but that term is not used by the Texas family law courts

To be clear, in Texas, post-divorce spousal support is not awarded after every divorce case. In fact, there is a general presumption in the state that post-divorce maintenance is not appropriate. As such, it is the legal burden of the person who is seeking post-divorce spousal support to prove that awarding such payments is warranted in their specific situation. To get post-divorce spousal support in Texas, a case must fit into one of the following three categories: 

  1. The marriage lasted longer than ten years and the financially disadvantaged spouse is unable to support their reasonable and necessary financial needs;
  2. One spouse has been convicted of domestic violence/abuse, which precipitated the end of the marriage; or
  3. The spouse seeking spousal support has a disability or has custody of a child with a disability and requires financial support. 

As referenced above, post-divorce maintenance is typically not awarded in Texas unless a marriage lasted for at least ten years. Still, the exceptions for domestic violence, spousal disability, and child disability are an important factor in some cases. 

How Is Spousal Support Calculated In Texas?

When spousal maintenance is granted, Texas courts must also determine the amount and the duration of the award. In most cases, the length of the marriage and the financial means of each spouse are the two most important factors. 

How Long Does Spousal Support Last In Texas?

The duration of spousal support will be limited based, primarily, on the length of the marriage. Specifically, spousal support in Texas is limited to the following: 

  • Marriage lasted 10 to 20 years: Up to 5 years of spousal support
  • Marriage lasted 20 to 30 years: Up to 7 years of spousal support
  • Marriage lasted more than 30 years: Up to 10 years of spousal support

Note: These are the general guidelines that apply to most divorces in Texas. In cases that involve a spousal disability or a child disability, there are no statutory time limits pertaining to the duration of spousal support awards.  

How Much Spousal Support Will Be Awarded In Texas?

In determining the specific amount of a support award, Texas courts can look at a wide range of different factors. Some notable examples include: 

  • The financial means of each party;
  • Current and future job prospects; 
  • Any career sacrifices made for the family/marriage; 
  • Unique educational/job training needs; 
  • Any unique health needs; and
  • Evidence of adultery, abuse, or other types of misconduct. 

It should be noted that spousal maintenance in Texas is generally capped at 20 percent of the paying spouse’s monthly income or $5,000—whichever figure is less. 

How Our Sugar Land Alimony Attorneys Can Help

We know how to protect the financial interests of our clients. With a deep understanding of the Texas spousal maintenance laws along with practical knowledge of how courts handle these cases, we offer our clients reliable and effective legal guidance that they can use. Among other things, our Sugar Land, TX spousal maintenance lawyers are prepared to:

  • Conduct an in-depth, confidential assessment of your spousal support case;
  • Explain Texas law, your rights, and your options; 
  • Investigate the case, gathering all relevant financial documents and records;
  • Look for opportunities to reach a reasonable and amicable settlement that is in your best interests; and
  • If necessary, take legal action to protect your rights. 

Every client deserves an attentive and individualized representation from their family lawyer. Our founder and principal attorney Mary E. Ramos has been Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and she has hired and invested in the top talent—ensuring that we are able to provide high-quality, reliable guidance to each and every client. 

Schedule Consultation

Contact Our Sugar Land, TX Spousal Support Lawyers Today

At the Ramos Law Group, PLLC, our Texas family law attorneys have deep experience representing clients in complex spousal maintenance cases. We will protect your legal rights and financial interests. To schedule a completely confidential divorce consultation, please contact our legal team today. We represent clients in Sugar Land and throughout Southeast Texas.

Our Client Testimonials

Superb Law Firm

The decision to end my 25-year marriage was not an easy one, but hiring the Ramos Law Group was. From the initial consultation to the execution of the Divorce Decree everyone at the firm displayed the utmost professionalism and I was treated as if I was their only client. My attorney Lindsey, always provided precise legal guidance, was usually one step ahead of the opposing counsel, and had a superb understanding of how things would play out in the court room. Additionally, whenever my case needed a little extra horsepower, Mary provided that "surge" to keep things on track.

Worth Every Penny

"Ms. Ramos and her entire staff worked with professionalism and compassion to guide me through the most difficult time of my life and to an outcome that was best for my family and myself. Ramos Law is incredible and I highly, highly recommend their services."

Custody case won

"I was recommended to see Mary Ramos for my on coming custody case,it was the best thing I could've done honestly.The Ramos law group was quick with emailed responses and telephone calls,informative with ANY questions I had and they also took action with what they thought would work,which it did,I had money troubles and they were still willing to help they sent me with a younger lawyer Lindsey Lewis to help save some money and she was the best!She knew what she was doing and Mary was still on my case to make sure things went smoothly and to catch any details Lindsey and I might have missed.All in all I am a very satisfied client and if I ever needed a family lawyer again I would come back.My case was won as I received primary for my daughter which is exactly what I asked for.If you're willing to listen to what they have to say and follow their guidance they're definitely worth hiring.I thought I wanted sole custody for my daughter and they explained that wasn't in the best interest for her and honestly they were right,they speak to you on a professional level and also a real level of how things are actually going to work and what could happen if you take a certain action.They definitely care about their clients and make their own bond with you,you're not just money in their pockets you turn into family. "

Divorce Attorney

"I received excellent advice and representation from Ms. Lindsey Lewis. She kept me updated at every step of the process, and I never felt as if my case was set aside. I would hire The Ramos Law Group in the future. "

Highly recommend

"I started my divorce with a lawyer who was not very responsive. My divorce case was complicated and needed more laborious scrutiny. Since the case was not moving forward I had to switch lawyers. Made the switch to Ramos Law group. Since the very first day Mary and her team have been very efficient and meticulous. Since the case was complicated the team had to go through myriads of pages in discovery. I was pleased with the legal team that helped us handle the paperwork in a very timely manner. All my questions were answered very promptly. The relay of information was easy with their software system. We finally had a law firm that we could trust. My divorce was finalized and I only have Mary and her team to thank for going through a difficult divorce. I would highly recommend the Ramos law group for their help and support for getting my life back on track. "

Check More Reviews

We Protect Your Rights, Your Family & Your Future.

SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION TODAY

X - Close