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Paula Lock Smyth

Dallas Family Law & Divorce Attorney

  • Home
  • Firm Overview
    • My Practice
    • Professional History
    • Memberships, Activities, Recognition
  • Practice Areas
    • Divorce
    • Collaborative Divorce
    • Mediation
    • Parenting Rights
    • Probate, Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning
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    • Just Been Served Papers? Now What?
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    • How Long Does It Take To Get A Divorce?
    • Is There Such a Thing as Legal Separation?
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You are here: Home / Areas of Practice / Divorce / Alimony or Spousal Support

Alimony or Spousal Support

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  • Alimony or Spousal Support
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When a couple is married they often make decisions as a unit and utilize each person’s strengths in different roles to best fit the needs of the family. In some situations, such as when one spouse does not continue his or her education or is out of the work force for an extended period of time, this may leave that individual unable to provide for himself or herself in the event of a divorce.

Alimony and Support Under Texas Law: Is there a difference between alimony and support under Texas law?
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Alimony and Support Under Texas Law: Is there a difference between alimony and support under Texas law?
 

Paula Lock Smyth Law Offices is a family law firm serving Dallas, Texas, and the surrounding areas, that is committed to fighting for clients who are facing divorce and need support from their spouse.

Texas Spousal Support Statutes

In Texas, laws regarding spousal support have changed, and it is now easier for an individual to secure an award for support during a divorce. However, Texas still has a restricted view of alimony compared to many other states. Texas courts largely view spousal support as a temporary fix to help people get back on their feet after a divorce, rather than a permanent source of income.

When couples come to an agreement about alimony on their own, awards can vary greatly in size and duration. Court-ordered alimony, on the other hand, is available only when a spouse is unable to provide for his or her own minimum reasonable needs, and:

  • The recipient of the support suffers from an incapacitating physical or mental disability
  • The recipient of the support is providing substantial care and supervision for a child of the marriage who requires it due to a physical or mental disability
  • The payer of the support was convicted of a crime of family violence against the spouse or the spouse’s child within two years of the divorce
  • The marriage lasted for at least 10 years and the spouse receiving payment can demonstrate that he or she exercised diligence in trying to earn enough money to be self sufficient or in developing necessary skills to do so

Texas law also limits the length of a support award depending on the length of the marriage, except in cases where the spouse is disabled or caring for a disabled child. The award for alimony payments becomes void when either spouse dies or when the recipient remarries or lives continuously with a romantic partner.

Contact A Dallas Alimony Attorney

To schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced Dallas lawyer regarding spousal maintenance, contact Paula Lock Smyth Law Offices at 214-420-1800.

Paula Lock Smyth Law Offices

2911 Turtle Creek Blvd. Ste. 300
Dallas, Texas 75219

Phone: 214-420-1800
Fax: 214-420-1801

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Paula Lock Smyth Law Offices

2911 Turtle Creek Blvd. Ste. 300
Dallas, Texas 75219

Phone: 214-420-1800
Fax: 214-420-1801

Disclaimer
The contents of this website does not imply legal advise or counsel and does not establish an attorney/client relationship. Please contact us for information on our policies regarding any relationship with clients, potential clients, or non-clients of our firm.

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