So You Want to Know About Spousal Support in Texas? Buckle Up, Buttercup!
Ah, Texas. Land of wide-open spaces, ten-gallon hats, and apparently, a whole lot of mystery surrounding how much spousal support one might get (or owe) after a hoedown goes south. Well, fret no more, honey, because we're about to untangle this whole yeehaw-legal mess.
Hold on to Your Stetson: There's a Cap on That Support!
Unlike some fancy-schmancy states where spousal support can feel like a bottomless mimosa brunch, Texas likes to keep things a little more frugal. That's right, there's a limit on how much financial two-stepping you can expect from your soon-to-be-ex. Here's the lowdown:
- The Big Kahuna: You won't be waltzing away with more than $5,000 a month in spousal support, no matter how big your ex's oil well is.
- Math Time (but Don't Worry, It's Easy!): The judge can also set the support amount at 20% of your ex's average monthly income, whichever is lower. So, if they're a rodeo clown making peanuts, you won't be living high on the hog.
But Wait, There's More! The Judge Gets to Play Matchmaker (Sort Of)
Just because there's a cap, doesn't mean you're guaranteed to get even a buck twenty-five. The judge gets to decide the final amount based on a whole heap of factors, including:
- How long you two wrangled together (marriage duration)
- Did you put your dreams on hold to raise the little buckaroos?
- Can you wrangle a decent job on your own?
- Was your ex a saint or a snake? (Okay, maybe not that dramatic, but the quality of the marriage matters)
The Bottom Line: It Ain't Rocket Science, But It Ain't Waltz in the Park Either
There you have it, folks. Spousal support in Texas is a definite maybe, with a sprinkle of "it depends." If you're looking for a surefire answer, you'll need to mosey on down to a lawyer (and maybe wear your best boots for all the legwork you'll be doing). But hey, at least you now have a basic understanding of the financial two-step in the Lone Star State. Now, if you'll excuse me, I gotta saddle up and write a blog post about how to divide your collection of armadillo figurines in a divorce. Yeehaw!
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