Spousal maintenance or support, also known as alimony, is court-ordered financial support that one spouse pays another spouse after they have divorced. The general length of spousal support depends on several factors, including the length of the alliance, the earning potential of each spouse, and the financial resources of each spouse. These details are important to keep track of if you want to get the right amount of financials. If you’re wondering how long you may be eligible to receive alimony, or how long you may have to pay it, then you should read on.
What is the General Length of Spousal Maintenance?
The general length of spousal support typically depends on the length of the alliance and how long it would take for the receiving spouse to become self-supporting. In this regard, financial support for receiving spouses getting out of a marriage that lasted for about ten years or less may be limited to about five years. Conversely, the court has the discretion to order support for a longer period if the marriage lasted for more than 10 years or if the receiving spouse is unable to support themselves in the foreseeable future.
Factors Affecting the Duration of Spousal Maintenance
The Earning Potential of Each Spouse
If one spouse has a higher earning potential than the other, the court may order the more financially stable spouse to pay alimony for a longer period to give the recipient spouse enough time to become self-supporting. For instance, if one spouse has a well-paying job and a strong work history, while the other has a low-paying job or limited work experience, the court may order support for a longer period to allow the recipient spouse the opportunity to gain education or training to improve their earning potential. Conversely, in cases where both spouses have similar earning potential, the court may limit alimony payments to a shorter period since the recipient spouse is more likely to be able to support themselves in the long term.
The Financial Resources of Each Party
When determining the duration of alimony payments, the court also considers the financial resources of each party including their income, assets, and debts. If one spouse has significantly more financial resources than the other, the court may order spousal support for a longer period, as the recipient spouse may need more time to become fully self-supporting. However, if both spouses have similar financial resources, the court may order spousal support for a shorter period, as the recipient spouse may be able to support themselves with their financial resources.
The Age and Health of Each Spouse
The health and age of each spouse play a significant role in determining the duration of alimony payments. Generally, if one spouse is older or in poor health, the court may order financial support for a longer period. That way everything is fair to whoever spouse needs the most help. It’s best to understand how the situation is going to go down before it gets to court. Understanding where your finances are about to be is the best way to keep you from getting stressed.
The Bottom Line
The duration of spousal support is based on the length of the marriage and a variety of other factors. It can also be modified or terminated under certain circumstances. Therefore, if you are a Texas resident about to undergo a divorce, it is advisable to consult a Flower Mound spousal maintenance attorney to help with your case. A trusted legal professional will help to keep track of any details that might get lost. They will also make sure that there isn’t anything shady going on. The attorney involved in these cases will always fight for you and figure out what’s best for you.