Modification of Spousal Support

Following the decree of a divorce, certain factors can change and can influence the original spousal support agreement, also called spousal maintenance or alimony. In the state of Texas, depending on the length of marriage, spousal support is limited to a time period of 5, 7, or 10 years after the divorce is finalized and the court ordered monthly payment amount can be no greater than $5,000 or 20% of the spouse's average monthly gross income, whichever amount is less.

Certain circumstances allow for the spousal support to continue for a longer duration. To first be eligible for spousal support, the divorced couple would have had to be married for at least 10 years. This 10 year minimum is no longer valid in the instance that domestic violence was present in the marriage. The objective of alimony is to help the spouse receiving monetary support to develop a career by either pursuing career training or education in order to obtain financial independence. Contractual alimony is contractual or a negotiated alimony agreed upon by both parties with the assistance of attorneys, without the interference of the court.

Spousal Support Modifications in Houston

There are several reasons modifications to a spousal support agreement or contractual alimony are called for. The firm has helped clients fight for modifications under the following circumstances:

• Increase or decrease of income or wages
• Remarriage
• Cohabitation
• Retirement
• Loss of employment
• Change in career
• Illness or injury
• Relocation

The firm can help resolve any type of spousal support modification matter, while striving to do so in a timely and amicable manner, so contact us today.