Helotes Spousal Support Attorney
Every divorce is as unique as the marriage that it ends. Sometimes, one spouse needs financial support during this time of transition. Courts can order this support in the form of spousal support/maintenance, traditionally referred to as alimony.
Whether you believe you deserve it or might need to pay it, you need a Helotes Spousal Support lawyer who understands how Texas law addresses spousal maintenance.
At Fiegel Law, we can explain Texas laws regarding spousal support and protect your rights.
Why Choose Fiegel Law?
Choosing Fiegel Law for assistance with spousal support/alimony matters is a decision backed by experience, advocacy, and a commitment to your best interests.
Attorney Beauregard Fiegel has extensive family law knowledge, including the complexities of alimony cases.
The Fiegel Law team prioritizes open communication and personalized attention, ensuring clients feel supported and informed. They are dedicated to advocating for fair and just outcomes in alimony negotiations.
With Fiegel Law on your side, you can trust that someone will protect your interests, and you will receive in-depth guidance tailored to your specific situation.
Our office is conveniently located near the northwest corner of the intersection of Bandera Road and West Loop 1604 North, east of the Sandra Day O’Connor High School and across the street from the Methodist ER Helotes at:
12274 Bandera Road
STE 104
Helotes, Texas 78023
Qualifying for Spousal Maintenance in Texas
A court may grant spousal maintenance, or alimony, if a spouse demonstrates an insufficient property, including community assets, to meet their basic reasonable financial needs.
Additionally, they must meet one of these conditions:
- The marriage has lasted at least 10 years, and the spouse lacks the means to secure employment to meet their basic needs.
- The spouse is the primary caregiver for a disabled child from the marriage, and fulfilling this role prevents them from earning enough income to sustain themselves financially.
- The spouse has a debilitating disability that hinders them from earning a livable income.
- The other spouse was convicted or received deferred adjudication for acts of family violence within the two years before filing for divorce or while the divorce is pending.
If you meet one of these qualifications, you can secure your rights to spousal support by speaking with a skilled Helotes spousal support lawyer as soon as possible.
Types of Alimony in Texas
Spousal maintenance, also known as alimony, is a financial arrangement to assist one spouse following a divorce. While not as common in Texas as in some other states, family courts may still grant it in specific circumstances.
Consulting an experienced Helotes spousal support attorney can provide invaluable insights into these different forms and the criteria considered by courts.
Temporary Spousal Support
Courts may award temporary spousal support in Texas to a lower-wage earning or financially disadvantaged spouse for the duration of the divorce proceedings. It maintains their standard of living until you finalize the divorce.
Eligibility for temporary spousal support in Texas requires demonstrating financial need and meeting specific criteria, such as a minimum ten-year marriage or surviving family violence. Our skilled Helotes spousal support attorney can establish this need with the court.
Contractual Spousal Support
Couples in Texas can negotiate and incorporate contractual spousal support terms into their divorce settlement. This alimony is mutually agreed upon and enforceable through the terms of the divorce decree.
It can take various forms, such as lump-sum payments or regular monthly installments, providing flexibility to customize the support arrangement to the couple’s specific requirements.
Rehabilitative Spousal Support
Rehabilitative spousal support provides temporary support to the lower-earning spouse, helping them acquire the education or job skills necessary for financial self-sufficiency.
It assists the recipient spouse in achieving financial independence, enabling them to reenter the workforce or pursue further education to enhance their earning potential.
Reimbursement Spousal Support
This form of spousal support applies when one spouse financially supports the other during their training, education, or career development. It reimburses the supporting spouse for the investment they made in the recipient spouse’s future.
Reimbursement spousal support may apply in cases where one spouse temporarily sacrifices their career advancement for the benefit of the other.
Permanent Spousal Support
While Texas doesn’t typically award permanent spousal support, exceptional circumstances may merit it. This ongoing financial support can go to a lower-earning spouse until specific events occur, such as the alimony recipient’s getting remarried or passing away.
It typically applies to long-term marriages where the recipient spouse faces challenges in supporting themselves due to factors like age, disability, or other significant circumstances.
How Much Spousal Support is Appropriate?
Once the family court determines that one spouse legally deserves to receive financial support from the other after the divorce, the next step is to find out how much they will get.
Unfortunately, Texas law doesn’t provide much guidance in this area. It’s up to the divorce court’s discretion to determine an appropriate amount for each couple’s specific situation.
Texas code does suggest that the courts take into account these factors for both spouses in making their determination:
- Age
- Education
- Employment
- Employment history
- Duration of the marriage
- The existence or history of marital misconduct
- The contribution of a spouse as a homemaker during the marriage
Even still, spousal support can’t become an overwhelming financial burden on the paying spouse. The law limits the amount to $5,000 monthly, or 20 percent of the paying spouse’s average monthly gross income, whichever is lower.
If you feel that the court is unfair regarding spousal support, a seasoned Helotes spousal support lawyer can help you.
Questions About Alimony in Your Divorce? Consult a Helotes Spousal Support Attorney Today
Although less common in Texas, alimony can still substantially affect certain divorces. Factors such as marriage duration, financial need, and the ability to pay are key when determining whether to award alimony and its nature.
If you have questions about spousal support—whether paying or receiving it during or after your Texas divorce, seek advice from an experienced Helotes family law attorney.
At Fiegel Law, we will safeguard your rights and financial interests throughout the divorce process. Contact us today at (210) 699-7291 or online for your no-obligation, confidential case evaluation.
“Beau is great to work with and I highly recommend him for any legal needs that you may have!“
Schedule a
Consultation
