Huntsville Spousal Support & Alimony Attorney

Spousal Maintenance vs. Contractual Alimony

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Texas recognizes two forms of post-divorce financial support:

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1. Court-Ordered Spousal Maintenance is governed by Texas Family Code §8.001 et seq. and is only available when specific statutory criteria are met. The amount and duration are strictly limited by law.

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2. Contractual Alimony is agreed to by the parties as part of their divorce settlement. Because it is contractual, the parties can set any amount and duration they choose — beyond the statutory caps on court-ordered maintenance. Contractual alimony is enforceable as a contract, not as a court order, which has important practical implications.

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Who Qualifies for Court-Ordered Spousal Maintenance?

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To be eligible for court-ordered spousal maintenance in Texas, the requesting spouse must generally meet one of the following criteria:

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• The marriage lasted at least 10 years and the requesting spouse lacks sufficient property or earning ability to meet their minimum reasonable needs

• The paying spouse was convicted of or received deferred adjudication for family violence during the marriage or while the divorce was pending

• The requesting spouse has a physical or mental disability that prevents self-support

• The requesting spouse is the custodial parent of a child of the marriage who requires substantial care due to a physical or mental disability

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How Much and How Long? - Click Here for Blog Post on Texas Spousal Support Law

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Court-ordered spousal maintenance in Texas is capped at the lesser of $5,000 per month or 20% of the paying spouse's average gross monthly income. Duration limits depend on the length of the marriage:

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• Marriage of 10–20 years: maintenance for up to 5 years

• Marriage of 20–30 years: maintenance for up to 7 years

• Marriage of 30+ years: maintenance for up to 10 years

• Family violence or disability: up to 5 years (renewable)

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Maintenance terminates automatically upon the death of either party or the remarriage of the recipient and can be modified or terminated if the recipient cohabits with a romantic partner.

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Seeking Spousal Maintenance

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Ryan Putz builds the evidentiary record necessary to support a maintenance claim — documenting the length of the marriage, the requesting spouse's financial situation, their efforts toward self-sufficiency, and the paying spouse's ability to pay. He ensures that eligible clients receive the support they are entitled to under Texas law.

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Defending Against a Maintenance Claim

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When a maintenance claim is not justified — because the statutory criteria are not met, because the requesting spouse has the ability to be self-supporting, or because the amount claimed is excessive — Ryan Putz mounts an effective defense. He analyzes the financial evidence, challenges unsupported claims, and protects his client's financial interests throughout the divorce.

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Enforcement and Modification

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Spousal maintenance orders can be enforced through contempt of court if the paying spouse fails to comply. They can also be modified if there is a material and substantial change in circumstances. Ryan Putz handles enforcement and modification proceedings in Walker County for both payors and recipients.