Houston Divorce Lawyer With Strong Spousal Support Knowledge
Some of the greatest misconceptions about divorce in Texas revolve around our family courts’ standards and practices in awarding spousal support (sometimes referred to as alimony).
Attorney Holli M. Palmer, supported by our capable legal team, can effectively represent your interests in temporary hearings and divorce negotiations, mediation or litigation involving longer-term spousal support. Beginning with your initial consultation, you can benefit from our knowledge and experience in this critical area.
Temporary vs. Longer-Term Spousal Support: Two Very Different Things
The Texas Family Code allows our courts to order temporary spousal support — as well as child support — while a divorce is pending. In many cases, such an order stipulates that the noncustodial parent is responsible for paying the mortgage or other bills.
Spousal support/alimony awards, although possible, are not easily obtained in Texas, and strict guidelines apply. In very general terms, circumstances such as a marriage longer than 10 years, combined with very limited earning capacity for the spouse seeking support, or a documented history of domestic violence in the marriage are required. The award of spousal support is highly dependent on the specific circumstances of your case. Such orders may be applicable to men, when the woman was the primary breadwinner in the marriage.
Setting Valid Expectations and Taking Appropriate Action
At the Law Office of Holli M. Palmer, we can provide a complete assessment of the circumstances in your case, offer counsel for negotiation of a settlement and do the necessary research to build your case for the best attainable outcome. Holli is adept at presenting creative solutions according to your priorities, such as proposing property division settlements that offset one party’s need for temporary spousal maintenance.
If you believe long-term spousal support is justified in your case, or your spouse is seeking this type of support, you should definitely get counsel from a trustworthy family law attorney. We offer a low-cost consultation to help you set realistic expectations and decide how to proceed in your divorce. Contact our Houston law office today to learn more about how we can help.
