In Texas, spousal support is an option in relatively few divorces. State law puts substantial limits on the types of circumstances in which maintenance is warranted, and when the court does include maintenance in a divorce order, it is usually only for a limited time. Both paying and receiving spouses can better prepare for the divorce and its aftermath by understanding when spousal support payments may terminate.
Texas Spousal Maintenance Order Durations
Texas courts will determine the specific duration of maintenance according to the facts of each individual case, but there are maximum cut-offs in place based on the length of the marriage and the reason why spousal support was ordered. For example:
- There is a maximum five-year duration when the marriage lasted between 10 and 20 years. If the receiving spouse is a victim of spousal abuse, they can receive maintenance for up to five years even if the marriage lasted less than 10 years.
- There is a maximum seven-year duration when the marriage lasted between 20 and 30 years.
- There is a maximum 10-year duration when the marriage lasted 30 years or more.
However, these limits do not apply when maintenance is ordered because the receiving spouse has a disability or is caring for a child with a disability. In these cases, maintenance may continue indefinitely, or until the receiving spouse no longer needs it to provide for their needs.
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