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Payments made to a spouse after divorce are known as spousal maintenance in Texas. The specific amount to be paid can be decided by the spouses or a court will arrive at an amount determined to be appropriate. Our spousal maintenance attorney can fully inform you of the process of assigning support and work to ensure that a fair amount is decided upon.

For decades, the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard has been helping clients through the divorce and family law process, striving to achieve optimal results. Attorney Pritchard earned an Avvo Clients’ Choice award in 2014 for his outstanding work in providing knowledgeable counsel and dedicated representation. Our firm can make the difference for your family law case so get in touch with our office right away.

Determining Spousal Support

In most cases, the court will assume no support is necessary, so whoever is seeking spousal maintenance will need to convince the court they have made a good faith effort to earn an income or learn the skills needed to provide for themselves during separation or divorce proceedings.

If ordered to pay maintenance, your monthly payments cannot be more than $5,000 or 20% of your average gross monthly income, whichever is less.

Understanding Spousal Maintenance Modifications in Temple, Texas

Life circumstances change, and so do financial situations. When spousal maintenance orders no longer reflect current realities, modification may be necessary. Texas courts recognize that employment changes, health issues, remarriage, or significant income variations can warrant adjustments to existing maintenance agreements. The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard assists Temple residents in navigating the complex modification process, ensuring that maintenance arrangements remain fair and sustainable.

Modification requests require substantial evidence demonstrating changed circumstances. Courts examine factors such as involuntary job loss, disability, substantial income increases or decreases, and the supported spouse's improved financial independence. Our legal team meticulously documents these changes, presenting compelling arguments that support our clients' modification requests while protecting their financial interests.

Tax Implications of Spousal Maintenance in Texas

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act significantly altered the tax treatment of spousal maintenance for divorces finalized after December 31, 2018. Under current federal law, maintenance payments are no longer tax-deductible for the paying spouse, nor are they taxable income for the recipient. This fundamental change affects negotiation strategies and requires careful financial planning during divorce proceedings.

Temple residents must understand these tax implications when structuring maintenance agreements. Our firm works closely with financial professionals to analyze the tax consequences of various maintenance arrangements, ensuring that our clients make informed decisions about their financial futures. We examine alternative compensation structures, property division adjustments, and other strategies that may provide more favorable outcomes given the current tax landscape.

Enforcement of Spousal Maintenance Orders

Unfortunately, some individuals fail to comply with court-ordered spousal maintenance obligations. Non-payment of maintenance constitutes contempt of court and can result in serious consequences, including wage garnishment, asset seizure, and even imprisonment. The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard aggressively pursues enforcement actions on behalf of Temple clients who are not receiving their court-ordered maintenance payments.

Our enforcement strategies include income withholding orders, property liens, bank account levies, and contempt proceedings. We also pursue collection of unpaid maintenance arrearages with interest, ensuring that our clients obtain the full amount owed. When necessary, we seek court orders requiring the non-paying spouse to provide security for future maintenance payments, protecting our clients from continued non-compliance.

Interstate Spousal Maintenance Issues

Modern families often span multiple states, creating complex jurisdictional issues when spousal maintenance is involved. The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act governs interstate maintenance enforcement, but practical challenges remain when spouses relocate across state lines. Temple residents dealing with interstate maintenance issues require experienced legal representation to navigate these complex matters effectively.

Our firm handles cases involving out-of-state registration of Texas maintenance orders, enforcement of orders issued in other jurisdictions, and modification requests when parties reside in different states. We coordinate with attorneys in other states when necessary, ensuring seamless representation for our Temple clients regardless of where their former spouses reside.

Protecting Your Financial Future Through Strategic Planning

Spousal maintenance decisions have long-lasting financial consequences that extend far beyond the divorce decree. The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard emphasizes comprehensive financial planning throughout the maintenance determination process. We analyze retirement planning implications, insurance considerations, and long-term financial security to ensure that maintenance arrangements serve our clients' best interests.

Our approach includes examining the interaction between spousal maintenance and other divorce-related financial issues such as property division, child support, and debt allocation. We work with financial planners, accountants, and other professionals to develop comprehensive strategies that maximize our clients' financial stability and security.

Temple residents facing spousal maintenance issues deserve experienced legal representation that understands both the complexities of Texas law and the unique challenges facing modern families. The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard provides the dedicated advocacy and strategic guidance necessary to achieve favorable outcomes in spousal maintenance matters. Contact our office at 254-781-4222 or online to schedule a consultation and learn how we can protect your financial interests during this challenging time.

Dedicated to High-Quality Representation for Family Law Cases

You may petition to receive maintenance from your spouse and our lawyer can work to present your case so you secure all the support you are entitled to. Whether you are seeking maintenance or it is being sought from you, the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard can work to ensure you are treated fairly at all times.