Alimony Attorneys in Waco

Blanchard & Thomas: Advocating Your Best Interests

Although Texas law allows for alimony, also known as spousal support, it is not necessarily automatically applied after a divorce. In fact, there are eligibility requirements that you must meet in order to obtain alimony.

At Blanchard & Thomas, our accomplished and experienced Waco alimony attorneys can advocate on your behalf for the support you need following a divorce. We can walk you through your options and provide you with the resources you need to make informed decisions throughout your case's process. As a small firm, we are able to provide a substantial amount of personal attention to every client. On the other hand, although we are a small firm, we are big enough to handle whatever you face. Our attorneys are committed to your success.

Alimony Eligibility

Although divorcing parties can certainly agree to alimony during the divorce process, there are requirements in place that regulate demands for alimony. The spouse who wishes to request alimony must prove that they cannot support a reasonable lifestyle.

One of the following conditions must also apply:

• The supporting spouse received deferred adjudication or was convicted of family violence during the divorce process or no more than two years before the divorce began.
• The spouse seeking support cannot earn enough income to provide basic support for themselves due to their mental or physical disability or due to their need to provide substantial care for a child of the marriage with disability.
• If the marriage lasted a minimum of 10 years, the spouse may also seek alimony.

How Much Is Alimony in Texas?

The court determines everything related to alimony, such as the amount of support and the duration that support is given.

According to Texas Family Code Section 8.051 and following, the court may award:

• A maximum of $5,000 per month
• A maximum of 20% of the paying spouse’s average monthly gross income

How Long Can I Receive Alimony?

The duration of alimony will depend on whether the paying spouse was abusive and on how long the marriage lasted.

Alimony duration typically is broken down as follows:

• If the marriage was less than 10 years with an abusive spouse, or if the marriage was between 10 and 20 years long, alimony is payable for up to 5 years.
• If the marriage was 20 to 30 years long, alimony is payable for up to 7 years.
• If the marriage was more than 30 years long, alimony is payable for up to 10 years.
• If the spouse seeking payment or that spouse’s child is disabled, alimony may be indefinite, or as long as the disability persists.

Again, the specifics of each case will largely determine the amount and duration of alimony. It’s crucial to discuss your case with an experienced Waco divorce attorney who can help you evaluate your options.