Robert Reid McInvale Divorce Law Blog on Lawyers.com

As of September 1, 2011, the state of Texas is officially an alimony state. The new Court-Ordered Maintenance section of the Texas Family Code allows spouses to receive considerably more alimony than ever before. Therefore, if you are a spouse and have been the victim of family violence, or if you have been married more than 10 years or are raising a child of the marriage who suffers from a disability, it is imperative to contact an experienced alimony and divorce lawyer in Houston. They can help detail your options, as well as discuss the possibility of obtaining alimony.

According to the new law, alimony can be provided if the court finds that “the spouse seeking maintenance will lack sufficient property, including the spouse’s separate property, on dissolution of the marriage to provide for the spouse’s minimum reasonable needs,” and:

1. The spouse from whom maintenance is requested was convicted of or received deferred adjudication for a criminal offense that also constitutes an act of family violence…committed during the marriage against the other spouse or the other spouse’s child and the offense occurred:
   1. Within two years before the date on which a suit for dissolution of the marriage is filed; or

   2. While the suit is pending; or

2. The spouse seeking maintenance:
   1. Is unable to earn sufficient income to provide for the spouse’s minimum reasonable needs because of an incapacitating physical or mental disability;

   2. Has been married to the other spouse for 10 years or longer and lacks the ability to earn sufficient income to provide for the spouse’s minimum reasonable needs; or

   3. Is the custodian of a child of the marriage of any age who requires substantial care and personal supervision because of a physical or mental disability that prevents the spouse from earning sufficient income to provide for the spouse’s minimum reasonable needs.

There are several factors that affect this decision. Your age, education, length of marriage, employment history, job skills, health, history of family violence, property brought into the marriage, and marital misconduct are just a few of the factors that could determine your eligibility.

To speak with a skilled, knowledgeable Houston divorce lawyer about your alimony issue, contact the team at Robert Reid McInvale online or at 866-959-7824 today.