Texas Spousal Support Calculator

Understanding Texas Spousal Support (Alimony)

In Texas, spousal maintenance (often called alimony or spousal support) is court-ordered payments from one spouse to the other after a divorce. Unlike child support, spousal maintenance is not automatic and has specific statutory guidelines and limitations. This calculator provides an estimate based on common Texas guidelines for court-awarded maintenance, but it is crucial to understand that actual court orders can vary significantly based on individual circumstances and judicial discretion.

How Texas Spousal Support is Calculated (Guidelines)

Texas law outlines specific criteria and limitations for spousal maintenance. The court considers many factors, but for guideline calculations, the following are primary:

• Statutory Cap: The maximum amount of court-ordered spousal maintenance is generally the lesser of $5,000 per month or 20% of the payer's average gross monthly income.
• Duration Limits: The duration of court-ordered maintenance is also limited by statute, generally tied to the length of the marriage. For marriages of 10 years or longer, maintenance may be ordered for up to 5 years after the divorce. For marriages of 20 years or longer, it can be up to 7 years. For marriages of 30 years or longer, it can be up to 10 years. These durations can be extended under certain circumstances (e.g., disability).
• Income Consideration: The court aims to ensure the recipient spouse has a degree of economic independence. It considers the ability of the payer to meet their own needs while providing support.

Calculator Logic Explanation

This calculator estimates a potential spousal support order using the following logic, which is derived from common interpretations of Texas Family Code guidelines:

• Net Income Difference: The primary calculation often involves a percentage of the difference between the spouses' net monthly incomes. A common guideline suggests that the recipient spouse should not receive more than 30% of their own net monthly income, nor should the payer be ordered to pay more than 30% of their own net monthly income. A frequently cited statutory guideline, particularly for marriages under 10 years or when considering maintenance for a spouse who worked during the marriage, is that the support amount should not exceed the lesser of $5,000 or 20% of the payer's monthly net income. For simplicity and to provide a guideline number, this calculator uses a calculation based on the payer's income as the primary driver, capped by statutory limits.
• Applying the 20% Rule: A common starting point for calculation is 20% of the Payer's Monthly Net Income.
• Maximum Monthly Cap: This calculated amount is then compared against the statutory maximum of $5,000 per month. The lower of these two figures is the potential maximum support amount.
• Duration Consideration (General): While this calculator focuses on the monthly amount, the duration is also a critical factor. It infers potential duration based on the marriage length, aligning with Texas statutory ranges (e.g., 5 years for 10+ years of marriage).
• Important Caveat: This calculator does NOT account for the recipient's income directly in the calculation of the payer's obligation in the same way some models do. Instead, it adheres to the statutory limit on the payer's obligation (20% of payer's income, capped at $5,000) and assumes that this amount, if awarded, would contribute to the recipient's financial needs, considering their own income. Actual court decisions are highly fact-specific and depend on numerous factors beyond these basic inputs.

Disclaimer

This Texas Spousal Support Calculator is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional legal advice. Spousal support laws are complex and subject to interpretation and modification by courts. Always consult with a qualified Texas family law attorney for advice specific to your situation. The results provided by this calculator are estimates and do not guarantee any specific court outcome.